Review Power Point (Some details)

Subcontinent 3 Major Geographic Zones Far North – Himalaya Mountains – Snow melts and forms rivers South – Deccan Plateau – high plateau that gets less rain Heavy Rains Monsoons Geography of India

Monsoons – Western Ghats May 28 th 2010 August 28 th 2010

People NEEDED monsoons to bring water needed for civilization Rains flooded rivers and deposited rich silt farmers needed to grow crops Monsoon rains too heavy = devastation – crops, homes, and lives can be lost Monsoon rains too late = drought – cant grow crops Positive and Negative Effects of Monsoons

Small communities Their migrations took place over several centuries. Eventually lead to Hinduism Hinduism became the dominant religion in India Enter the Aryans

 People may be reincarnated at a higher or lower level of existence depending on their karma from their present life.  People may be reborn as plants or animals or they may be elevated to a higher caste as a human.  MOKSHA IS REACHED THROUGH MANY LIFETIMES Hinduism - Reincarnation

Mahayana Buddhism  Most popular in China  Buddhism “ for the masses. ”  Seek guidance from wise beings  Goal: Not just individual escape from the wheel, but the salvation of all humanity through self-sacrifice of those enlightened few.