Foundations of Indian Civilization (1500 BCE –300 CE )

A.The Indian Subcontinent 1.India has three topographical zones: (1) northern mountains (2) the Indus (wheat) & Ganges Basins (rice) (3) the peninsula 2.Effect of geographical diversity? -difficult to politically unify all of India

1. After demise of Indus Valley civilization, Indo-European warriors migrated into India -herded cattle in NW -Aryans migrated into Ganges Valley -oral tradition tells of light-skinned Arya tribes fighting dark-skinned Dasas 2.struggle led to development of system of varna (means “color”, but means “class”) -born into one of four varna: (1) Brahmin (priests/scholars) (2) Kshatriya (warriors) (3) Vaishya (merchants) (4) Shudra (peasant/laborer) -dalits (untouchables) B. The Vedic Age: Hinduism Brahmins Kshatriyas Vaishyas Shudras

3.four varna subdivided into hereditary work groups called jati (or caste) -complex rules of occupation, duties, & rituals -castes strictly regulated socially reincarnation 4.System rationalized by belief in reincarnation -each individual has immortal spirit (atman) that will be reborn in another body after death karma -one’s station in next life depends on one’s actions (karma) in this and previous lives Vedas 5.holy scriptures: Vedas

C.The Rise of Hinduism 1.Pressure from new religions caused reform of old Vedic religion: animal sacrifice became less important, while personal devotion to the gods increased VishnuShiva 2.two deities take central role: Vishnu (preserver) and Shiva (destroyer) Brahma -Brahma (creator) -all other deities are manifestations of a single divine force

3.Hindu worship centered on temples & shrines -includes pilgrimage to Ganges River 4.Hinduism dominant religion of India (over 850,000 followers)

HINDU TEMPLES

D. Karma & Dharma Karma: Karma: actions in this life that affect the next Dharma Dharma: the religious and moral duties of an individual VedasUpanishads Sacred texts: Vedas & Upanishads

E. Religions of Salvation: Jainism & Buddhism 1.During Vedic period: people against rigid social hierarchy self-isolated into forests -pursued salvation through yoga (mind & body), special diets, or meditation -goal was to achieve moksha (liberation from cycle reincarnation) 2.Jainism 2.Jainism: practiced nonviolence & went to extremes in attempts not to kill any living thing -some went naked & starved themselves to death…

Jainists

3.Prince Siddhartha Gautama founded Buddhism…title “Buddha,” means “Enlightened One” 4.set forth teaching of Four Noble Truths (life is suffering; desire causes suffering) and of the Eightfold Path that would lead to enlightenment -some took vows of celibacy, nonviolence, and poverty

pagodas– symbolize peace bodhi tree where Siddhartha reached enlightenment…

Buddha’s Birth

Buddha’s First Sermon

Middle Path 5.original form of Buddhism: gain enlightenment through living a moral life, meditation, & moderate living (Middle Path) nirvana -achieve nirvana (release from reincarnation) 6.After Buddha’s death, followers organized monasteries -two branches developed: Mahayana & Theravada (followed original teachings) Mahayana: social hierarchy, worshipping Buddha, & Bodhisattvas

The Wheel of Life, otherwise called the Cycle of Samsara (material existence) explains the process of death and rebirth. In the very center, there is a rooster chasing a pig chasing a snake chasing the rooster -- craving, hatred, and ignorance. Around that are people ascending the white semicircle of life, and others descending the black semicircle of death.

Spread of Buddhism

Buddhas