Ch. 6- Early India Section 1- India’s First Civilizations Section 2- Hinduism and Buddhism Section 3- India’s First Empires

CHAPTER 6 KEY TERMS Subcontinent Subcontinent Himalaya Himalaya Monsoons Monsoons Sanskrit Sanskrit Caste Caste Hinduism Hinduism Buddhism Buddhism Reincarnation Reincarnation Karma Karma Dalai Lama Dalai Lama

The Land of India Introduction to India Introduction to India Introduction to India Introduction to India What causes Monsoons? What causes Monsoons? What causes Monsoons? What causes Monsoons?

India

The Land of India India is shaped like a diamond hanging from the bottom of Asia. It is a subcontinent because even though it is part of Asia, it is separated from the rest of Asia by a large mountain range called the Himalaya’s, the highest mountain range in the world. India is shaped like a diamond hanging from the bottom of Asia. It is a subcontinent because even though it is part of Asia, it is separated from the rest of Asia by a large mountain range called the Himalaya’s, the highest mountain range in the world.

Himalaya Mountains

India’s First Civilization Developed around the Indus River Valley Developed around the Indus River Valley When summer monsoon began, the river rose higher and higher, leaving behind rich fertile soil. When summer monsoon began, the river rose higher and higher, leaving behind rich fertile soil. Around 1500 B.C. historians believe the Indus river changed its course, killing many people and forcing others to flee the area. Around 1500 B.C. historians believe the Indus river changed its course, killing many people and forcing others to flee the area.

India’s First Civilization In the following year, the Aryans began to settle the region. They introduced a new language to India, Sanskrit. (pg. 199 in book) In the following year, the Aryans began to settle the region. They introduced a new language to India, Sanskrit. (pg. 199 in book) Early India’s social system (pg. 200) Early India’s social system (pg. 200)

Ch. 6 Section 2- Hinduism and Buddhism One of oldest religions in the world One of oldest religions in the world Today it is the 3 rd largest religion Today it is the 3 rd largest religion Is the mix of the original Aryan belief in many Gods along with the belief of the people the Aryans conquered in India Is the mix of the original Aryan belief in many Gods along with the belief of the people the Aryans conquered in India Believe that all of their gods and goddesses are part of one universal spirit called the Brahman. Believe that all of their gods and goddesses are part of one universal spirit called the Brahman.

Hinduism Hindus believe that the soul is not joined to the Brahman immediately after a person dies. Instead, a person must pass through many lives to be united with Brahman Hindus believe that the soul is not joined to the Brahman immediately after a person dies. Instead, a person must pass through many lives to be united with Brahman If a person lived a bad life, he or she might be reborn into a lower varna( a cast/social group someone is born into) If a person lived a bad life, he or she might be reborn into a lower varna( a cast/social group someone is born into)

Hinduism The idea of passing through many lives is called reincarnation. This is very important to Hindus and affects how they live their lives. The idea of passing through many lives is called reincarnation. This is very important to Hindus and affects how they live their lives. It also affects how they treat animals because they believe ALL life to be sacred. It also affects how they treat animals because they believe ALL life to be sacred. To earn the reward of a better life in their next life, Hindus believe they must perform their duty. Dharma, divine law, requires people to perform their exact duty. To earn the reward of a better life in their next life, Hindus believe they must perform their duty. Dharma, divine law, requires people to perform their exact duty. –Example: A farmer has different duties than a priest.

Hinduism The consequences of how a person lives their life is karma. If Hindus do their duty and live a good life, they will have good karma. The consequences of how a person lives their life is karma. If Hindus do their duty and live a good life, they will have good karma.

Buddhism By 600 B.C. many Indians began to questions Hindu ideas. By 600 B.C. many Indians began to questions Hindu ideas. The Brahman priests seemed only to care about their temple ceremonies and not about the needs of the people. The Brahman priests seemed only to care about their temple ceremonies and not about the needs of the people. Ordinary Hindus wanted a simpler, more spiritual religion. Ordinary Hindus wanted a simpler, more spiritual religion. They would find this in Buddhism. They would find this in Buddhism.

Buddhism Founded by Siddhartha Gautama Founded by Siddhartha Gautama Gautama seemed to have it all- wealthy, handsome, happily married, a new son. Gautama seemed to have it all- wealthy, handsome, happily married, a new son. As he explored the kingdom (today called Nepal) he saw suffering, homelessness, and hunger. For the first time he was aware of suffering. As he explored the kingdom (today called Nepal) he saw suffering, homelessness, and hunger. For the first time he was aware of suffering. At that moment he sought to solve a riddle: “Why did people suffer and how could their suffering be cured”? At that moment he sought to solve a riddle: “Why did people suffer and how could their suffering be cured”?

Buddhism To solve riddle he first lived like a hermit, fasting and sleeping on the hard ground. To solve riddle he first lived like a hermit, fasting and sleeping on the hard ground. Legend has it that he sat under a tree to meditate, and after 49 days, he finally understood. Legend has it that he sat under a tree to meditate, and after 49 days, he finally understood. He spend the rest of his life wandering the countryside and telling people what he had discovered. He spend the rest of his life wandering the countryside and telling people what he had discovered. These teachings became known as Buddhism. To his followers, he became known as the Buddha, or “Enlightened One” These teachings became known as Buddhism. To his followers, he became known as the Buddha, or “Enlightened One”

Buddhism Like Hindus, Siddhartha did not think the everyday world was real. Things like trees, houses, animals, the sky, and the oceans were all illusions. So was poverty and sickness. Like Hindus, Siddhartha did not think the everyday world was real. Things like trees, houses, animals, the sky, and the oceans were all illusions. So was poverty and sickness. The only way to find the truth about the world was to give up all desires. By giving up desire for fame, wealth and all worldly things, pain and suffering would disappear. The only way to find the truth about the world was to give up all desires. By giving up desire for fame, wealth and all worldly things, pain and suffering would disappear. If a person gave up all desires he would reach a state called nirvana. If a person gave up all desires he would reach a state called nirvana.

Buddhism The heart of Buddha’s teachings is contained in the Four Noble Truths: The heart of Buddha’s teachings is contained in the Four Noble Truths: –Life is full of suffering –People suffer because they desire worldly things and self satisfaction –The way to end suffering is to stop desiring things. –The only way to stop desiring things is to follow the Eightfold Path.

Buddhism The Eightfold Path included: The Eightfold Path included: –Know and understand the Four Noble Truths –Give up worldly things and don’t harm others –Tell the truth, don’t gossip, and don’t speak badly of others –Don’t commit evil acts, like killing, stealing, or living an unclean life. –Do rewarding work –Work for good and oppose evil –Make sure your mind keeps your senses under control –Practice meditation as a way of understanding reality

Buddhism One major reason his religion became successful is that he didn’t accept the varna and jati systems. One major reason his religion became successful is that he didn’t accept the varna and jati systems. A person could avoid reincarnation by simply following the eightfold path. A person could avoid reincarnation by simply following the eightfold path.

Indian Empires Mauryan Dynasty- 321 B.C. Mauryan Dynasty- 321 B.C. –Greatest king was Asoka. Asoka was a strong military leader but hated bloodshed –Asoka was first great Buddhist king

Indian Empires Gupta Empires- A.D. 320 Gupta Empires- A.D. 320 Was strong due to trade of salt, cloth, and iron. They also owned gold and silver mines. Was strong due to trade of salt, cloth, and iron. They also owned gold and silver mines.