Ancient India Religion, and culture, and stuff Oh my!

From Indo-Aryan to Indian Society   Caste System   Basically divided in four classes : – priests (Brahmins) – warriors (kshatriyas) – merchants (Vaishyas) – and servants (Sudras)   Perhaps a 5 th group (Pariahs or untouchables)   But there are thousands of sub-castes

Hinduism   Dates back more than 3000 years   Developed through Brahmin’s interpretations of vedas   Many gods. Yet there is only one God, called Brahma. All other divinities are aspects of Brahma (monistic)

Hinduism cont.   The world is an illusion (maya), causing grief and pain—you must learn to identify maya   Hindus believes in reincarnation (samsara = cycle of rebirth)   Dharma = moral duty you must follow in order to progress   Karma = the law of cause and effect (what you do here will affect your future life)   The goal = escape samsara so that the individual soul (atman) becomes one with Brahma = nirvana

Gods and Goddesses   Vishnu, Shiva (Siva), and Shakti   Vishnu is the protector and the preserver of the world   Shiva is both destroyer and restorer   Shakti is the Mother Goddess. Can be either beneficial or fierce; sometimes called Parvati or Kali.   Temple worship

Hindu Practices  Yoga = free the mind  Religious festivals  Reverence for animals (cow)

Buddhism   Offshoot of Hinduism   Developed around teachings of Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha)   Buddha means “the Awakened or Enlightened One”   There is no one single “Bible” of Buddhism but all Buddhists share some basic beliefs   The religion is both a discipline and a body of beliefs

Four Noble Truths   1) All life is suffering, pain, and misery, or dukkha.   2) This suffering has a cause: tanha or selfish craving and personal desire.   3) This selfish craving can be overcome.   4) The way to overcome this misery is through the Eightfold Path.

Eightfold Path   1) Right Views   2) Right Intentions   3) Right Speech   4) Right Action   5) Right Living   6) Right Effort   7) Right Mindfulness   8) Right Concentration

Goal of Buddhism   Samsara condemns the individual to the suffering of life.   Life’s goal is to escape samsara and achieve nirvana   The way to achieve Nirvana is to follow the path of the Middle Way.

Two Vehicles   Two paths   Hinayana (Theraveda) or the Lesser Vehicle.   Theravada Buddhists see Buddha as a man, a saint, who chose to give up all his wealth and comfort to achieve Nirvana.   The more liberal tradition is called the Mahayana or the Greater Vehicle.   Mahayana Buddhists stress the Buddha as a savior who devoted his live to serving and teaching others.