 Aryans and non-Aryans followed own forms of religion at the beginning  After blending – worship became more complex – questioned Brahmin priests  New ideas arose out of turmoil

 No founder  Belief: religion is a liberation from illusions, disappointments and mistakes  Writings: Upanishads – explain the Vedic hymns; written as dialogue between student and teacher

 A person can achieve moksha - which is a perfect understanding of all things; brings liberation from desires and suffering  They distinguish between: atman: the individual soul of a living being and brahman: the world soul that contains and unites all atmans This interconnectedness of all life is a basic concept

 Attaining understanding between atman and Brahman brings moksha and a release from life in this world  But this understanding does not usually come in one lifetime – so they believe in reincarnation – when an individual soul or spirit is born again and again until moksha is achieved  Soul’s karma – good or bad deeds follows from one reincarnation to another and influences life circumstances (caste, health, wealth, etc.)

 Seen as having personalities of 3 gods: 1) Brahma – the creator 2) Vishnu – the protector 3) Shiva – the destroyer  Changes over years – Hindus may follow deity they wish to worship or none at all  Hindus may choose from 3 different paths for achieving moksha: 1) right thinking 2) right action 3) religious devotion

 Reincarnation strengthened the caste system - only those in upper caste seen to have good karma in former life - a female, laborer, or untouchable – seen to have had bad karma in former life  Only men in top 3 varnas could achieve moksha in their present life  Hinduism and the caste system dominated every aspect of a person’s life

 Founded by Mahavira ( B.C.)  5 million Jainists in India  Beliefs: 1) Everything in universe has a soul; should not be harmed 2) Non-violence 3) Must work in non-violent jobs 4) Religious toleration; do not recruit converts

 Founder  Noble birth in Nepal  Relationship with father - exhibited traits of a great man - if he stayed home – would be world leader - if he left – a religious leader - father isolated him in palace; married; had a son

 At 29 he ventured outside palace 4x: 1) saw an old man 2) saw a sick man 3) saw a corpse (dead man) 4) a wandering holy man at peace  Meaning: only religious life offers refuge from suffering  Decided to devote life to seeking religious truth and to end suffering

 Wandered for 6 yrs.  Tried to reach enlightenment by debating, fasting but found no truth; continued to suffer  49 days of meditation under fig tree – found enlightenment or understanding of the cause of suffering  Became known as Buddha – the enlightened one

 First sermon given to 5 companions  Sermon contained 4 Noble Truths: 1) All of life is suffering and sorrow 2) Cause of suffering: selfish desire for temporary pleasures of the world 3) Way to end suffering: end all desires 4) To overcome desires and attain enlightenment: follow the Eightfold Path  Eightfold Path: middle way between desires and self- denial  If you follow Eightfold Path – you reach nirvana – release from selfishness and pain

 Right views  Right resolve  Right speech  Right conduct  Right livelihood  Right effort  Right mindfulness  Right concentration

 Buddhism contained many Hindu ideas  Final goals similar: perfect state of understanding - moksha for Hindus - nirvana for Buddhists  But there were sharp differences: 1) accepted idea of reincarnation 2) accepted cyclical, or repetitive, view of history: world created and destroyed over and over 3) rejected many gods of Hinduism 4) rejected privileges of brahmin priests 5) rejected caste system

 Sahgha – Buddhist religious order of monks and nuns  First monks – 5 men who heard Buddha’s first sermon  Eventually refers to entire religious community

 1) Religious community  2) Dharma – Buddhist doctrine or law  3) Buddha

 Early believers included laborers and crafts- people > because it rejected caste system  More influence in northeast because Aryans had less influence there  Women reluctantly brought into religious orders – thought they might distract men  Monks and nuns took vows of poverty, non- violence, and chastity – spread Buddha’s teachings  Monasteries developed – Nalanda developed into a great university

 Buddhism spread over Asia after Buddha’s death  Never gained significant foothold in India  Theories on why it didn’t: Buddhism was absorbed into Hinduism when Buddha was recognized by Hindus as being one of the 10 incarnation of the Vishnu  India was always an important pilgrimage for Buddhists: stupas – sacred mounds contain Buddha’s relics Pilgrims circle clockwise around object; lie face down; leave flowers

 Traders carried it to places like Burma, Thailand, and Sumatra  Silk Road carried it to China and from there Korea and Japan  Buddhism became most widespread religion in East Asia  Buddhism would divide into two sects: Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism