The Vedic (Hindu) Religion in India, Hebrew Monotheism, and Persian Zoroastrianism

 Aryan migrations into the Indus Valley caused a mixture of ideas to form the basis of Hinduism  The Vedas ( B.C.E) = a holy book compiled by the Brahmins (priests), contained basic ideas of the impersonal gods of early Hinduism  caste system formed out of the ideas in the Vedas (written using Sanskrit language)  Dissatisfaction with impersonal Brahmin practices led to the Upanishads ( B.C.E), a holy book showing a more personal relationship with the gods  Hinduism eventually was challenged and reformed by the rise of Buddhism

Aryan Migration  pastoral  depended on their cattle.  warriors  horse-drawn chariots.

Varna SystemShudras Vaishyas Kshatriyas Those with no caste:  Untouchables Brahmins

The Caste System Justified  SOCIAL CLASSES=  mouth  arms  legs  feet Of Purusha, a god Brahmins Kshatriyas Vaishyas Shudras

 Brahman  basically, God. Everyone and everything (including all the other gods) is a manifestation (a part) of Brahman.  Ultimate goal  Union with Brahman by achieving moksha (liberation) through samsara (reincarnation)  Caste System  Social mobility in the NEXT LIFE determined by good karma achieved by fulfilling ones dharma (duties)  Bhakti (worship) movement  Came about as a reaction against Brahmin rituals that weren’t very personal  Adoration and personal worship of gods  Identification of individuals with a particular deity

 Protector and preserver  Destroyer

 Official religion of the Persian Empire  Founded by Zoroaster (600s BCE)  Beliefs  Monotheistic (Ahura Mazda)  Belief in Heaven and Hell  Judgment Day  Good (God) and Evil (Satan), Savior (Messiah)  Assimilated into other monotheistic faiths

JUDAISM  Hebrews in the Middle East  Despite conquests by Assyria and Babylonian empires, retained culture and traditions  Duteronomic Code – 613 laws in the Old Testament to keep Jews separate from other cultures and prevent assimilation

 Yahweh- God  Powerful and jealous  Demanded loyalty  People could communicate with God  God was viewed to be actively involved in human affairs  In return for devotion to Yahweh, became his “chosen people”  Basis for Christianity and Islam