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Ch. 3 Ancient Indian Civilizations

Ch. 3 Ancient Indian Civilizations. Ch. 3 Section 3: Hinduism and Buddhism. Caste System. Complex social organization that began after Indo-Aryan migration Varnas - four distinct social classes Jati - smaller subgroups Born into your parents subgroup Could only marry within it

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Ch. 3 Ancient Indian Civilizations

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  1. Ch. 3 Ancient Indian Civilizations Ch. 3 Section 3: Hinduism and Buddhism

  2. Caste System • Complex social organization that began after Indo-Aryan migration • Varnas- four distinct social classes • Jati- smaller subgroups • Born into your parents subgroup • Could only marry within it • Determined what job you could hold and who you could eat with • Today gov’t has abolished caste system, but remains influential part of Indian society

  3. Foundation of Hinduism • Upanishads- written explanation of Vedic religion • Most people illiterate; teachings shared in two epics • Mahabharata- great battles in the Northern India kingdom • BhagavadGita- most famous Hindu Scripture • Ramayana- depicts duties and relationships of humans

  4. Battle of Kurukshetra

  5. Om- sacred Hindu Symbol Rama on the shoulders of Hanuman fighting the demon-king Ravana

  6. Hinduism • India’s major religion and world’s 3rd largest • Developed from Brahmin priest’s explanation of the Vedas • Monism- belief in the unity of God and creation • Brahman- divine essence that fills everything in the world • Self or Atman- individual essence

  7. Hindu Beliefs • Maya- belief that the world is an illusion • People need to accept the illusion to gain salvation • Reincarnation- belief in rebirth of souls • A soul doesn’t die; reborn into the body of another human or animal • Hindus believe it takes many lifetimes to recognize maya and that requires reincarnation

  8. Hindu Gods • Brahma can be represented as many gods • Brahma the Creator • Vishnu the Preserver • Siva the Destroyer • Other gods represented as spirits of trees, animals, and people • Not polytheistic, or monotheistic, but monistic

  9. Hindu Beliefs • Dharma- doing one’s moral duty in this life so the soul can advance to the next • Karma- the good or bad force created by a person’s actions • Reborn into a higher social group or lower or possibly animal • Nirvana- perfect peace of the soul; reincarnation complete and soul unites with Brahman

  10. Hindu Religious Practices • Yoga- a set of mental and physical exercises to bring the body and soul together • Origins of festivals- to honor returning seasons • Sacred Animals • Ex. Cows • provided power for plows and carts • Produced milk and butter for food • Protected by law

  11. Buddhism • Siddhartha Gautama- founder; Buddha or “Enlightened One” • Wealthy in his youth; shocked by tragedies of life • Great Renunciation- left his family to discover truth and meaning • Understood the truth that forms the basis of life while mediating under a tree • “Way of Life”

  12. Buddha’s Teachings • Accepted some Hindu teachings; reincarnation • The Soul- good is rewarded/ evil punished • Salvation = knowing the “Four Noble Truths” & following the “Eightfold Path” • Did not accept Hindu gods • Denied importance of caste system • Any person of any caste could reach nirvana

  13. The Four Noble Truths • 1. All human life involves suffering and sorrow • 2. The desire for a life of pleasure and material gain causes suffering and sorrow • 3. Renouncing desire frees people from suffering and helps their souls attain nirvana • 4. The Eightfold Path leads to renunciation, or denial of desire and attainment of nirvana

  14. The Eightfold Path • Right Views- seeing life as it really is • Right Intentions- living a life of good will; striving toward perfection • Right to Speech- avoiding lies and gossip • Right Action- trying to be law-abiding and honest • Right Living- avoiding work that harms others • Right Effort- seeking to prevent evil • Right Mindfulness- constant awareness of one’s self • Right Concentration- directing the mind in meditation

  15. Theravada Buddhism • Traditional beliefs • Buddha is a great teacher and spiritual leader • Myanmar, Thailand, Sri Lanka and Laos are followers of this branch • Buddha is a god and savior • More elaborate ceremonies • China, Vietnam, Korea and Japan are followers of this branch Spread of Buddhism • Spread during Buddha’s life; wide acceptance in Asia • Buddhism rose then declined in India; opposed by Brahmins Mahayana Buddhism

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