The Oldest Major Religion

All Hindu gods are a manifestation of Brahma

The Aryans Invade India Indra was the Lord of the skies and their most important God

The Vedas Much of what we know about the Aryans comes from the religious text, the Vedas The period of the Aryans in India is known as the Vedic Period

The Caste System The Aryans were outnumbered by the peoples who lived in the Indus River Valley. They worried that with intermarriage with the people they invaded they would loose their identities as a separate people. They forbade marriage outside their own class

The Aryans Class System

Varna means color All the dark-skinned people who had been conquered were grouped together and called the Varna These Varnas were divided by peoples’ jobs. Eventually these Varnas were divided into thousands of jatis or castes. Later a fifth group was added called the Untouchables (they did not belong to any Varna and were called outcastes.

The Four Varnas

The Brahmin They were believed to have sprung from the mouth of Brahma. They were both priests and scholars They could not be taxed. They were experts in education, literature and the Vedas. The Sudras were not allowed to read the Vedas.

If the Sudra heard the Vedas being read molten lead would be poured into his ears. If he recited the Vedas his tongue would be split. If he memorized any part of the Vedas his body would be cut in two.

The Brahmans Brahmans did no actual work They were expected to bathe everyday and forbidden to eat onions, eggs, mushrooms and garlic. They could drink nothing but water. Brahmans were punished more harshly for committing a crime than a person from a lower class. How is that different from another civilization we studied this year?

The Kshatriyas rulers and warriors who sprung from the arms of Brahma They could learn but not teach the Vedas. Their main function was to fight or rule. He could indulge in alcohol He should exhibit courage, bravery, cleverness, generosity, and fearlessness

Vaishyas the Merchant Class They sprang from the thighs of Brahman. They were traders, storekeepers, and craftsmen. Later the farming jobs fell to the Sudras the lowest class.

Sudras They were the lowest class and associated with the feet of the Brahma The word Sudra means slave. This was the Varna created by the Aryans to keep the dark-skinned people in their place.

The Untouchables

Untouchables They were not part of a class so they were known as outcastes They performed tasks no one else would do like cleaning and tanning animal hides, sweeping the streets, and dealing with corpses. They were discriminated at every turn. This discrimination was eventually outlawed in India.

Could you ever leave your caste? Hindus believe in reincarnation. If you lead a good life while you are on earth you might be reborn into a higher caste. It all depends on one’s karma (your actions and behavior while living). Evil actions build bad karma. A person with bad karma will be born into a lower caste or as a lesser creature such as a pig or ant.

Good Karma Good actions build good karma. In your next life you will go to a higher caste. In time good karma will bring salvation and freedom from all of life’s worries and the cycle or rebirth. This is called moksha.

Obeying one’s Dharma Each person has a duty to accept his place in the world without complaint. This is called obeying one’s dharma. People could build good karma by obeying the duties of one’s caste.

Hindu Women Both men and women can achieve salvation. Women were believed to be inferior to men. They were not allowed to read the Vedas or other sacred texts.

Janism Based on a religion by a man named Mahavira He was unhappy of the control of the Brahmins

Jains lived by four principals Injure no life Tell the truth Do not steal Own no property They practiced nonviolence because everything is alive and part of the cycle of rebirth.

Injure no creature The Jains will not injure or kill any human, animal, insect or even plants. They are vegetarians and eat no foods that come from animals.