1. India - Indo-Aryans, Hinduism and Buddhism
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2. Indo Arians
The first people to migrate into India after the decline of the Harappan civilization were the Indo Arians.
With them they brought a very rigid caste system, based off of heredity.
Their caste system controlled almost every aspect of peoples lives. Their caste determined
occupation (job)
who they could marry
how they would be treated in public.

3. Caste System Caste names and descriptions Brahman – Priests
Kshatriya – Warriors / Rulers / Land owners
Vaishya – Merchants
Shudra – Artisans and Farmers
Harijans (untouchables) – Outcastes

4. Hinduism Hinduism is monotheistic, but seems polytheistic.
They recognize one supreme deity, but also believe in other gods, which are manifestations of the one supreme deity.
Brahma is the Hindu God
Maya – The belief that the world we see is an illusion
You may only reach salvation by rejecting maya, which may take several lifetimes

5. Shiva - One of the main Deities of Hinduism, worshipped as the paramount lord by the Saivite sects of India. Shiva is one of the most complex gods of India, embodying seemingly contradictory qualities. He is the destroyer and the restorer, the great ascetic and the symbol of sensuality, the benevolent herdsman of souls and the wrathful avenger.
Ganesha - The son of Shiva and Parvati, Ganesha has an elephantine countenance with a curved trunk and big ears, and a huge pot-bellied body of a human being. He is the Lord of success and destroyer of evils and obstacles. He is also worshipped as the god of education, knowledge, wisdom and wealth. In fact, Ganesha is one of the five prime Hindu deities (Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva and Durga being the other four) whose idolatry is glorified as the panchayatana puja.

6. Hinduism
Reincarnation – Your soul being reborn in another human body, or even an animal.
Dharma – Doing ones moral duty in life
Karma - The good or bad force created by a person’s actions.
Moksha (Nirvana) – The perfect spiritual resting place.

7. Hinduism
If you do your Dharma, you will have good Karma, which leads to Nirvana.

8. Buddhism Buddhism was founded by a man named Siddhartha Gautama.
He was unhappy with the Hindu religion, and the harsh realities of life.
Left his royal life
After meditating, fasting and practicing yoga for six years Siddhartha Gautama said he understood the truth that forms the basis of life, and became Buddha.
Buddha – The Enlightened One

9. Buddhism
Buddha then spent the rest of his life teaching others his enlightened thoughts.
Specifically through the Four Noble Truths and the Eight Fold Path.

10. Four Noble Truths & The Eightfold Path
All human life involves suffering and sorrow
The desire for a life of pleasure and material gain causes suffering and sorrow
Renouncing desire frees people from suffering and helps their souls attain nirvana
The Eightfold Path leads to renunciation, or denial of desire and attainment of nirvana.
Right Views - seeing life as it really is.
Right Intentions - living a life of good will; striving toward perfection.
Right Speech - avoiding lies and gossip.
Right Action - trying to be law-abiding and honest.
Right Living - avoiding work that harms others
Right Effort - seeking to prevent evil.
Right Mindfulness - constant awareness of one’s self.
Right Concentration - directing the mind in meditation.

11. All human life involves suffering and sorrow
I agree with this “Noble Truth.” At some point in every persons life they will (somehow) be subjected to some kind of suffering or sorrow (something that makes them sad.) This could be anything from the loss of a loved one, to the loss of a job. Personally, I like the point that this truth is emphasizing, suffering and sorrow are unfortunate truths in the reality of life.
Right Speech - avoiding lies and gossip -
I believe that this part of the Eightfold Path has a lot of relevance in today’s society. I have seen many people hurt, and reputations damaged, by malicious lies and gossip.

13. National Geographic - Cremation