1. Chapter 7, Sections 3. Chapter 8, Section 1.
Early Civilizations of India
And
Religious Traditions

2. Indus Valley Civilization
Largest early civilization in South Asia. Sprung up along Indus River. Lasted from BC.

3. Aryans
Spread across the Northern Plains from the Caucasus Mountains. Brought the Vedas and developed Sanskrit.

4. Aryan Varna (Social Classes)
Brahmans (priests)
Kshatriyas (warriors)
Vaisyas (landowners, merchants, herders)
Sudras (servants and peasants)

5. Sacred Hindu Texts
Vedas contain eternal truth revealed to wise men. Upanishads explain the Vedas.

6. Brahman
Thousands of Hindu gods form a single supreme force called Brahman. Only a few can understand as it is nameless, formless, and unlimited.

7. Three main gods of Hinduism are Brahma (creator), Vishnu (preserver), and Shiva/Siva (destroyer).

8. The Caste System
Each caste has separate dharma (duties and obligations). People will improve caste in next life by following dharma.

9. The cycle of death and rebirth (reincarnation) occurs until individual unites with Brahman.
Every deed in this life affects future lives (karma). The present situation is a result of past deeds. Good deeds bring happiness and bad deeds bring sorrow.

10. Siddhartha Gautama
Reformer born into Nepal in 560BC. Born high-caste, he saw people of lower castes suffering. He set out to find the cause of misery and enlightenment, and started Buddhism.

11. Buddha’s four noble truths.
Suffering is universal.
Cause of suffering is desire.
Only way to end suffering is to crush desire.
End desire by following the Noble Eightfold Path.