1. Vedic India
I. Stage One: Early Vedic Age, BCE II. Stage Two: Later Vedic Age, BCE III. Stage Three: Hinduism & Early Buddhism, after 500 BCE IDs: Brahmans, karma, Mahavira, Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha), d. 483 BCE

2. Argument
The Vedic religion provided a united identity for people in north India. It began as a tribal faith which emphasized sacrifice and evolved into an ethical religion - Hinduism – around 500 BCE.

3. Indus River Civilization (3500-2000 BCE)
India
Pakistan
Bangladesh
Himalaya Mtns.
Punjab

4. 2000-1600 BCE: Crisis & collapse of Indus River Culture

5. Vedic Nomads Invade, ca. 1500 BCE
Indo-European
Vedic peoples (Aryans)
Dravidians
Vedic Age, BCE

6. I. Stage 1: Early Vedic Age, 1500-1000 BCE

7. A. History Vedic People brought
Horses
Chariots
Iron tools & weapons

8. Settled Ganges River Valley
Pastoral  agricultural
Villages & no cities

9. B. Caste (varna) in early Vedic Age
brahman
kshatriyas
vaisyas
Shudras

10. C. Religion in early Vedic Age
Brahmans
Vedas
Sanskrit
Rig Veda, ca BCE
Indra

11. Emphasis on Sacrifice Proper rituals Sacrifices to gods Cosmic order
Brahmans

12. II. Stage 2: Late Vedic Age (1000-500 BCE)
A. History
Many small states
Rajas
Growth of towns

13. B. Caste System Develops
Jatis/sub-castes
outcastes/
untouchables
purity

14. C. New religious ideas from late Vedic Age
karma
transmigration of souls (reincarnation)
dharma

15. Philosophy & Written Texts
Upanishads (700 BCE)
Brahman
atman

16. III. Stage 3: Hinduism “Spiritual Age”: 6th -4th c. BCE
A. Mahavira
Jainism
Asceticism
Non-violence

17. B. Dissatisfaction with Brahman leadership: Popular texts
Mahabharata (written down 200 BCE)
Bhagavad Gita
Krishna
Arjuna

18. C. Early Buddhism Siddhartha Gautama (c. 563 – 483 BCE)
the Buddha (the Enlightened One)
Ganges
Bodhi tree (bo)

19. Four Truths
1.Life is full of suffering. 2.Suffering is caused by desires. 3.The only way to rise above suffering is to renounce desire. 4.One can only do this by following Noble Eightfold Path.

20. Goals rid self of desire & the illusion of separate identity
reach nirvana (contentment and extinction)
By following Noble Eightfold Path

21. The Buddha’s Footprints
Limestone carving on stupa, India
1st c. BCE

22. Sangha (Order)
monks
nuns

23. The Three Jewels “I go for refuge to the Buddha.
I go for refuge to the Doctrine (dharma).
I go for refuge to the Order (sangha).”

24. D. Religious Changes in South Asia (in Hinduism)
Emergence of Popular Cults
Shiva
Vishnu
Krishna

25. Development of Vedic Religion into Hinduism
Stage One
1500 – 1000 BCE
Early Vedic Religion
Stage Two
(1000 BCE – 600 BCE)
Stage Three
(600 BCE – 500 BCE)
Hinduism & Buddhism
History: Tribal organization, migration into north India, settlement, domination by Brahmins & kshatriya
Text: Rig Veda
Religion: Brahmins (priests), sacrifice, caste, obedience
Human Needs: Identity (caste)
Security
History: Many small states governed by kshatriya; growth of towns
Text: Upanishads
Religion: elaboration of caste system, karma, reincarnation, dharma
Human Needs:
Identity
Security
Answers
History: Dissatisfaction, towns, trade
Texts: Mahabharata, Ramayana
Religion: Mahavira & non-violence; Buddha & 4 Noble Truths
Human Needs:
Answers
Personal Connection