10/4 (block 3,5,7) & 10/7 (block 2) Journal: What were the names of the two Indian Dynasties we learned about last class and what were they known for?

AGENDA 1.Turn in India’s Caste System (#32) 2.Hinduism Notes (#31) and Looking Forward to a New Life 3.Mauryan and Gupta Reading (#33) and Reading Questions (#34)

Hinduism

Intro Aryans move from the fertile crescent into India (QUESTION #1- bottom of the notes page) Created a caste system Divided between Aryans and Non Aryans

In the beginning At first Aryans and Non Aryan followed separate forms of religion. As the Aryans and Non Aryans intermingled the religion blended together resulting in thousands of gods

Hinduism develops over time Hinduism is a collection of religious beliefs that developed slowly over a long period of time. Cannot be traced back to one founder with a single set of ideas

Origins and Beliefs Share a common world view See religion as a way of liberating the soul from the illusions, disappointments, and mistake of everyday existence Interconnectedness of all life is a basic concept in all Indian religions

Holy Books Hindu teachers try to interpret and explain the hidden meaning of the VEDAS (songs to the gods) Upanishads are written dialogues, or discussion, between students and teacher. – Explores release from desires and suffering – Moksha- state of perfect understanding of all things

Atman and Brahman Atman- the individual soul of a living being Brahman- the world soul that contains and unites all atmans

Moksha When a person understands the relationship between atman and Brahman, that person achieves perfect understanding –Moksha-and their soul is released from life in this world Does not come in one lifetime

Moksha cont. The process of reincarnation, an individual soul or spirit is born again until Moksha is achieved Karma-knowledge that all thoughts and action affect future consequences Karma can be follow from one reincarnation to another

The Caste System

Hinduism and Society Hindu ideas about karma and reincarnation strengthened the caste system Those born in higher castes- gain their good fortune through good karma in a former life Born into a lower caste -gain their bad fortune through bad karma in a former life

Society cont. Those men born in the top 3 caste can hope to achieve Moksha in their present life Spread along trade routes

Hinduism spreads across India and Southeast Asia through trade routes.

Angkor Wat, Cambodia Collection of Hindu and Buddhist temples in Southeast Asia