ANCIENT INDIA

SECTION 1 – VOCABULARY The Indus & Ganges River Valley 1) subcontinent – a large landmass connected to a continent 2) monsoon – strong wind that blows across East Asia at certain times of the year – India’s climate is dominated by monsoons 3) citadel – a fortress in a city 4) caste – a social class of people

THE INDUS & GANGES RIVER VALLEY India is separated from the rest of the world by the Himalayas (highest mountain range in the world) and the Hindu Kush mts.

The Indian Subcontinent juts into the Indian Ocean – the Indian Ocean, along with the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, serve as barriers helping to separate India from the rest of the world.

Major rivers in India: Indus & Ganges Farming communities developed into impressive cities between 2500-1500BC Major cities: Harappa and Mohenjo Daro -both located in modern day Pakistan

MOHENJO DARO – city build ahead of times time – very advanced Built above ground level to avoid floods Public buildings Citadel Drainage system – piper under the streets Indoor plumbing

*migrated from Central Asia & conquered Mohenjo-Daro Mohenjo-Daro *Writing system – still unknown *government system – unknown *evidence suggests a belief in many gods Aryan Culture *migrated from Central Asia & conquered Mohenjo-Daro *horse-drawn chariots were a key factor in their conquest *strong tools made of iron

Aryan Culture * Much of what we know about the Aryans come from an ancient series of religious poems call the Rig Veda or Vedas (meaning knowledge) Society was organized into strict classes with the priests called Brahmans on top This system formed the basis for the Caste System in Europe

SECTION 2 VOCAB Brahman – single spiritual power that Hindus believe lives in everything Avatar – representation of a Hindu god or goddess in human or animal form Reincarnation – the rebirth of a soul in the body of another living being Dharma – the religious and moral duties of Hindus Ahimsa – the Hindu idea of non-violence – many Hindus don’t eat meat because of this

Aryan beliefs India’s beliefs HINDUISM Aryan beliefs India’s beliefs Hinduism *Belief – since people are different – they need many different ways of approaching their god

Hinduism *over 850 million people in the world today are Hindu *they worship many gods and goddesses but believe in one spiritual universal being called the Brahman *they believe the Brahman lives in everything *they believe there is more than one path to the truth

Hindu gods/goddess stand for different parts of the Brahman *Brahma – universal being (the creator) –believed to be born from a golden egg- created Earth & everything on it *Vishnu – (the preserver) –kindly god – guides humans and protects from disaster *Shiva – (the destroyer) –not concerned with human matters – responsible for creative & destructive forces in nature

Upanishads – Hindu religious test in the form of questions Teaching – main idea of the Upanishads is reincarnation The actions of one’s 1st life affects the fate of the next –can move up & down in class When a person lives a near “perfect” life –they are freed from the cycle of reincarnation & become one with Brahman A person must obey their dharma to become one with Brahman Duties depend on class, age, job & gender

The Practice of Hinduism Yogas – Hindus believe yoga exercises free the soul of the cares of the world in order to unite with the Brahman Types of Yoga Physical activity Selfless deeds Learning sacred writings Honoring a personal god (prayer, offerings)

Section 3 Vocabulary 1) meditation – developed by the ancient Hindus – focusing the mind inward in order to find spiritual awareness or relaxation 2) nirvana- the lasting peace that Buddhists seek by giving up selfish desires 3) missionary- a person who spreads his or her religious beliefs to others

The Beginnings of Buddhism *founded by a Hindu prince – Siddhartha Gautama – called the Buddha (meaning enlightened one) *The Buddha was grew up in a life of luxury – once he left the palace walls – he saw terrible suffering *he left the palace and gave up all his possessions – after 49 days of fasting & suffering – he believed he finally understood the root of suffering

He taught people to follow the Eightfold Path –also called the Middle Way- *believed that selfish desires for power, wealth, & pleasures cause humans to suffer – give up these desires and you’ll be free from suffering & reach lasting peace (nirvana) *to overcome selfish desires: learn to be wise, behave correctly, develop your mind, always tell the truth, & avoid violence

Once nirvana (lasting peace) is reached- people are freed from the cycle of reincarnation Buddhist teachings: *people were encouraged to become missionaries *people are all equal regardless of social class

Buddhism Inside & Outside India *missionaries & traders carried Buddhism throughout Asia *1st went to China – millions of people in China are Buddhists today *also spread to Korea, Japan, Tibet & Vietnam * today, over 400 million people in the world practice Buddhism

Shared Beliefs of Hinduism & Buddhism Both had their beginnings in India Both believe in ahimsa (nonviolence) –wrong to harm living creatures Both believe in dharma Both believe in reincarnation