INDIAN FACTS FORM OF GOV’T – Federal Republic (gained independence from the UK in 1947) CAPITAL – New Delhi POPULATION – 1,095, LAND SIZE – 2,973,190 (slightly more than 1/3 the size of the U.S.) CLIMATE – Varies from Tropical Monsoon in the south to Temperate in the north CURRENCY – Rupee MILITARY – Voluntary RELIGION – Hindu (80%)

SUBCONTINENT a large, relatively self-contained landmass forming a subdivision of a continent

HIMALAYAS Large mountain range between the Indian subcontinent and the Plateau of Tibet Includes the highest mountain peaks in the world Mt. Everest – 29,000 feet

GANGES RIVER Longest river in India Located in northern India, flows towards Bangladesh Flows from the Himalayas to the Bay of Bengal

INDUS RIVER Flows from Tibet into the Arabian Sea Much of the land here would not be arable without this massive source of water

DECCAN PLATEAU Located in southern India Deccan’s average elevation is about 2,000 feet, sloping generally eastward The climate is drier than that on the coasts and is arid in places

MONSOONS the seasonal wind of the Indian Ocean and southern Asia, blowing from the southwest in summer and from the northeast in winter.

MAJOR CITIES

EARLY SOUTH ASIA Modern India traces its roots back to the Indus River Valley located in South Asia Harappans – earliest civilization found in this area, dates back to about 2,500 b.c., disappeared around 1,500 b.c. Ruins demonstrate: 1. urban planning (organized cities) 2. grid pattern streets 3. multi-storied homes 4. bathrooms and sewage systems

ARYANS Aryans – conquered the Indus River Valley around 1500 b.c. and then moved southeast into the Ganges Plain Organized into tribes, each was led by a rajah Cattle – basis of their diet and economy, wealth was measured in cattle and they were used as money Men dominated society, which was largely agricultural

SOCIAL STRUCTURE Brahmans kshatriyas Vaisyas Sudras Pariahs

Social Structure 1. Brahmans – Priests 2. Kshatriyas – Warriors/princes 3. Vaisyas – merchants/farmers 4. Sudras – peasants/servants 5. Pariahs – so “unclean” not even part of the system, do the toughest and dirtiest jobs

HINDUISM Aryans believed in a religion that has evolved into what we know as Hinduism

BELIEFS Evolved over centuries (no one person began it) Brahman – universal spirit, god (other gods are manifestations of Brahman) Trinity – 3 most important manifestations are: BRAHMA SIVAVISHNU

BRAHMA The Creator

VISHNU The Preserver

SIVA The Destroyer

KEY CONCEPTS REINCARNATION - The rebirth of the soul

KEY CONCEPTS cont. KARMA - Idea that how a person lives their life will determine what form that person takes in the next life (what comes around goes around)

KEY CONCEPTS cont. DHARMA -Duties of a particular varna (class) -If you fulfill your dharma you get have good karma

KEY CONCEPTS cont. MOKSHA - State in which a person’s soul is freed from the cycle of reincarnation (heaven)

KEY CONCEPTS cont. AHIMSA - Belief that all life is sacred and needs to be protected

SACRED HINDU WRITINGS: THE VEDAS Ancient poems, legends, hymn, rituals… that formed the basis of Aryan religious life There are 4, the oldest dating back to about 1000 B.C.

HOLIDAY VIDEOS Diwali – Festival of Lights Diwali Holi – Festival of colors, triumph of good over evil, coming of the Spring Holi Holi #2

BUDDHISM

THE BUDDHA Siddhartha Gautama – the founder of Buddhism, born in India in 566 B.C. born into the Kshatriya class, lived a wealthy but sheltered life wanted to understand why people suffer and how to minimize it

THE BUDDHA cont. believed he found the answers while meditating, believed he received “enlightenment” he preached his message and became known as “The Buddha” (enlightened one) he rejected the caste system, a person’s position in life should depend on the person, not their birth

4 NOBLE TRUTHS

1. ALL PEOPLE SUFFER

2. PEOPLE SUFFER BECAUSE THEIR DESIRES BIND THEM TO THE CYCLE OF REBIRTH

3. WE CAN END SUFFERING BY ELIMINATING DESIRES

4. ELIMINATE DESIRE BY FOLLOWING THE 8-FOLD PATH

8-FOLD PATH KNOW THE TRUTH RESIST EVIL SAY NOTHING 2 HURT OTHERS FREE YOUR MIND OF EVIL WORK 4 THE GOOD OF OTHERS RESPECT LIFE CONTROL YOUR THOUGHTS MEDITATE

THE 8-FOLD PATH LEADS TO NIRVANA Nirvana – state of enlightenment that frees the soul from the cycle of rebirth

BRANCHES OF BUDDHISM Make sure you are aware of the following: 1.Mahayana 2.Theravada 3.Tibetan 4.Zen

CONCEPT OF GOD Buddha is not thought of as a god The concept of god is not central to Buddhism

BUILDING/PLACE OF WORSHIP Use temples and monasteries Worship and meditation can take place anywhere Stupa – built to house relics of Buddha (teeth, bones, writings…)

HOLIDAYS/FESTIVALS See the “Buddhist Festivals and Holidays” worksheet Festival of the Tooth (Sri Lanka) Obon (Japan)

SYMBOLS See the “Buddhist Symbols” worksheet

TYPE 2 List 3 similarities and 3 differences between Hinduism and Buddhism

TYPE 3 Discuss 3 similarities and 3 differences between Hinduism and Buddhism Focused Correction Areas (FCAs) FCA #1 – 3 differences FCA #2 – 3 similarities FCA #3 - capitalization

DALAI LAMA

TIBET

POTALA PALACE

EMPIRES/ACCOMPLISHMENTS TYPE 3 Describe 2 accomplishments made by Indian civilization and discuss how your life would be different without them. TYPE 3 FCA #1 – describe 2 accomplishments FCA #2 – discuss how your life would be different without both FCA #3 – no symbols (&,…)