Ancient India and China Section 2 Preview Main Idea / Reading Focus Basic Teachings of Hinduism Sacred Texts and Practices Jainism Hinduism

Ancient India and China Section 2 Reading Focus What basic teachings do most Hindus share? What are the sacred texts and religious practices of Hinduism? What are the teachings of Jainism? Main Idea Hinduism developed and evolved over a long time in India. Hinduism

Ancient India and China Section 2 Three devas- Brahma, Vishnu, Siva belief in Brahman, eternal being that created, preserves world Brahman – the “world soul” Brahman Basic Teachings of Hinduism each person has atman, soul, aspect of Brahman Atman cannot be destroyed, even by death Devas, manifestations of Brahman, active in world. Atman

Ancient India and China Section 2 Pattern of Life continual pattern of birth, death, and rebirth After death atman reborn in process called reincarnation, or samsara Dharma To achieve moksha is to fulfill one’s dharma—spiritual duties, obligations By fulfilling dharma, one creates good karma, breaks free from rebirth cycle New Life Nature of person’s new life shaped by karma—sum effect of deeds, actions reincarnated to better or lower station in life Ultimate goal of human existence, moksha, escape from cycle of rebirth Rebirth and Salvation

Ancient India and China Section 2 Define What is moksha? Answer(s): escape from cycle of rebirth, reunion with Brahman; ultimate goal for Hindu

Ancient India and China Section 2 Much of Hinduism’s evolution stemmed from a number of sacred writings produced over centuries. The Vedas, sacred hymns of praise, among earliest sacred texts of Hinduism Name means “knowledge” in Sanskrit Hindus consider Vedas to contain eternal knowledge not written by humans, revealed to them by Brahman Parts of Vedas date back more than 3,000 years Considered core of Hinduism even today The Vedas Sacred Texts and Practices

Ancient India and China Section 2 Ramayana, Mahabharata based on Vedas, but composed by sages two epic poems, Ramayana and Mahabharata, tells story of Vedic teachings in the Mahabharata, the most sacred of all Hindu texts, the Bhagavad Gita, addressed many aspects of Hindu belief, philosophy Upanishads Sacred texts that built upon the Vedas appeared also believed to have been revealed rather than written by people Upanishads deal with nature of world, meaning of life

Ancient India and China Section 2 To help meditate, Hindus practice series of integrated physical, mental exercises called yoga Yoga teaches people how to focus bodies, minds to aid meditation, help attain moksha Hindus also make pilgrimages to Ganges River to purify, remove bad karma Meditation, Pilgrimages religious practices vary ; worship can take place anywhere At temples, priests might recite, read portions of the Vedas; show image of a deva At home, food, drink, gifts offered for deva; meditation, silent reflection Worship Hindu Religious Practices

Ancient India and China Section 2 Categorize What types of sacred texts help shape Hindu beliefs? Answer(s): Vedas, writings inspired by the Vedas, sacred epics

Ancient India and China Section 2 New Religion 500 BC, group of Hindus broke away, founded new religion called Jainism Led by teacher Mahavira, Jains thought most Hindus put too much emphasis on ritual Nonviolence Central to Jain teaching, idea of ahimsa, nonviolence Most Hindus also practiced ahimsa, but not to same extent Jains carefully avoid harming living creatures, are usually vegetarians Ritual Unnecessary Jains thought ritual unnecessary People could achieve moksha by giving up worldly things, carefully controlling actions Jainism

Ancient India and China Section 2 Jains promise to tell only truth Avoid stealing Strive to eliminate greed, anger, prejudice, gossip from lives These things can prevent person from achieving moksha Other Traits

Ancient India and China Section 2 Find the Main Idea What are the major principles of Jainism? Answer(s): practice nonviolence; tell the truth; do not steal; try to eliminate greed, anger, prejudice, and gossip