Caste System a set of rigid categories in ancient India that determined a person’s occupation and economic potential, as well as his or her position in society, based partly on skin color.

Hinduism the major Indian religious system, which had its origins in the religious beliefs of the Aryans who settled in India after 1400 B.C.

Karma in Hinduism, the force generated by a person’s actions that determines how the person will be reborn in the next life.

Dharma in Hinduism, the divine law that rules karma; it requires all people to do their duty based on their status in society.

Yoga a method of training developed by the Hindus that is supposed to lead to oneness with Brahman.

Buddhism a religious doctrine introduced in northern India in the 6th century B.C. by Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha, or “Enlightened One”.

Nirvana in Buddhism, ultimate reality, the end of self and a reunion with the Great World Soul.

Varnas the name given by Aryans in ancient India to a group of people in what was believed to be an ideal social structure of four groups.

Reincarnation the rebirth of an individual’s soul in a different form after death.

Confucianism the system of political and ethical ideas formulated by the Chinese philosopher Confucius toward the end of the Zhou dynasty; It was intended to help restore order to a society that was in a state of confusion.

Legalism a popular philosophy developed in China toward the end of the Zhou dynasty; it propose that human beings are evil by nature and can be brought to the correct path only by harsh laws.

Daoism a system of ideas based on the teachings of Laozi; teaches that the will of Heaven is best followed through inaction so that nature is allowed to take its course.

Civil service the administrative service of a government, not including the armed forces, in which appointments are determined by competitive examination.

Martial relating to, or suited for, war or a warrior.

Filial piety the duty of family members to subordinate their needs and desires to those of the make head of the family, a concept important in Confucianism.

Pilgrim a person who travels to a shrine or other holy place.

Regime the government in power.

Silk Road a route between the Roman Empire and China, so called because silk was China’s most valuable product.

Vedas the earliest known Indian literature, which contain religious chants and stories that were originally passed down orally from generation to generation and then recorded in Sanskrit after writing developed.

Ethical conforming to accepted standards of conduct; moral.