1. Hinduism Early Indus River Valley Civilizations: http://www.flocabulary.com/ancient- india http://www.flocabulary.com/ancient- india Decline started around 1750 BCE Not sure how civilization actually ended Think that river changed course or that the land was over grazed A natural disaster may have forced the Indus people to flee Also possible that new invaders known as Aryans contributed to the end of the Indus Civilization

2. India after the Aryan Invasions India goes from classless to caste system Caste System-rigid social classes – tied to religion Aryans expected non- Aryans to do worst jobs

3. Origin/Founder Hinduism is a collection of religious beliefs that developed over time. Unlike other religions, Hinduism can not be traced to one founder with a single set of ideas.

4. Holy Books Vedas - collection of hymns and prayers Upanishads - are written as discussion between student and teacher. They explore how a person can get rid of desires and suffering and reach moksha.

5. Basic Beliefs Henotheistic – all gods are part of Brahman (the supreme god)

6. Major god(s) - Brahman - Supreme God - Creates, maintains, destroys, and re- creates the universe (cycle) - Everything is a part of Brahman including atman, or the human soul

7. Other Gods - Believe all gods are all an aspect of Brahman - Vishnu - Shiva - Brahma

8. Important Traditions/Customs Dharma - Holy duty or moral responsibility - “The right thing to do”

9. 1.Important Traditions/Customs Karma: - the total of good and bad actions - ones good/bad actions will affect their placement into their next life

10. Basic Beliefs Reincarantion (“samsara”)– the process of an individual soul or spirit being born again

11. Basic Beliefs Moksha – Goal of a Hindu’s life - Released from reincarnation and united with Brahman

12. Important Traditions/Customs Caste System- reinforced through Karma and reincarnation - your caste would determine all aspects of life http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j31veR74gSo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j31veR74gSo

13. Important Traditions/Customs Brahmins/ Priests Kshatriyas/ Rulers & Warriors Vaishyas/ Peasants & Traders Shudras/ Laborers Untouchables

14. Important Traditions/ Customs - Pilgrimage to the Ganges river to cleanse or purify them. Many holidays and festivals (Divali, Holi,

15. Where is Hinduism today? - Mostly stayed in India - Some in SE Asia http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzLCIMKv17k http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzLCIMKv17k

16. Crash Course http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Nn5uqE3 C9w&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mod e=1&safe=active http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Nn5uqE3 C9w&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mod e=1&safe=active India: Vedas, caste system, dharma, reincarnation, buddhism, four noble truths, eightfold path, asoka

17. Buddhism

18. Origins Siddhartha Gautama is the founder of Buddhism (563-483 B.C.) Originated in India

19. Basic Beliefs Reincarnation was the cycle of rebirth until one reached nirvana Nirvana/Enlightenment - release from selfishness and pain

20. Holy Texts Four Noble Truths - explained what he discovered in his enlightenment, how to end suffering. Eightfold Path - how you achieve enlightenment

21. 4 Noble Truths 1)Everything in life is suffering. 2)The cause of all suffering is people’s selfish desire for the temporary pleasures of this world. 3)The way to end suffering is to end all desires 4)The way to overcome such desires and attain enlightenment is to follow the Eightfold Path, which is called the Middle Way between desires and self-denial

22. Major Gods Rejects the idea of many gods Some sects believe that Buddha was a god

23. Important Traditions/Customs Sangha - religious community of Buddhist monks and nuns Rejected the Caste System Many followers were laborers and craftspeople.

24. Where is Buddhism today? Missionaries spread Buddhism throughout Asia (China, Japan, Korea) Was not widely accepted in India because of the rejection of the caste system

25. Four Noble Truths Nirvana India Canaan Monotheistic Polytheistic Caste System Israel Asia Vedas Upanishads Torah Ten Commandments Abraham Moses David Solomon Karma Yahweh Brahman Eightfold Path Moksha Aryans Covenants

26. Iron Weapons Anatolia Chariots Peace treaty with Egypt King Minos Labyrinth Minotaur Pottery Pre-Greek Crete Mediterranean Sea City-states Trade Purple Dye Phonetic Alphabet Caste System Vedas India