 Caste system- social order of India; very strict brought by Aryans  Set social hierarchy- specific rules for each stage  Individuals can only work and marry within class  May be reborn into a higher caste, but never move in one lifetime

 1. Brahmins (priests and scholars)  2. Kshatriyas (rulers, warriors)  3. Vaisyas (merchants, traders, farmers)  4. Sudras (peasants)  5. Pariahs (“Untouchables” – perform unpleasant tasks)

 Based on the interpretations of sacred texts – the Vedas  Everything has Brahma  Brahma- refers to Indian God  Atman- the essence of an individual  Monism- Hindu belief that Brahma and Atman are one

 Reincarnation-rebirth of the soul  Dharma- fulfillment of one’s duty  Help the soul be reborn to a higher caste  Karma- positive or negative force generated by a person’s actions  determines next caste level

 Ultimate goal - complete rebirth cycle and unite with Brahma  Chief God = Brahma  Most important animal to Hindus is the cow; this is why many Hindus do not eat beef

 Siddhartha Gautama (aka Buddha)-  Truth and Enlightenment  Two questions: (1) Why does suffering exist (2) What is the value of life and death?  Search for truth for six years  known as “The Enlightened One”

1 - All human life involves suffering and sorrow 2 - Desiring only pleasure and material goods leads to suffering and sorrow 3 - Giving up desires and material goods help achieve nirvana 4 - Eightfold path leads to denial of desire and achievement of nirvana  Nirvana- perfect peace; soul released from reincarnation

 Stress: loyalty, humanity, integrity, tradition, family and social relationships  Focus on your actions on earth did not address afterlife.  filial piety – respect for parents and elders

 Five Relationships 1. Father to son 2. Elder bro. to younger bro. 3. Husband to wife 4. Ruler to subject 5. Friend to Friend  Except for 5 no relationship is equal. Always a superior.

 Founder-Laozi (Lao Tzu)  Ultimate goal: live in harmony with nature  Dao/Tao is “the Way”  Stresses: understanding the way things are  Flow with natural order accepting success and misfortune equally.  Yin/Yang

 Founder- Hanfeizi and Li Si  Believed people to be naturally evil and bad  Motivated by greed and self interest  Stressed: strict laws and harsh punishments  Believed strength made great ruler and did not share this strength.

 Torah – first five books of the Hebrew Bible - stories told to teach lessons - Abraham - “father” of Hebrew people  Covenant – God’s promise to protect Abraham and his descendants  Moses – led Hebrews out of slavery in Egypt

 Thou shalt have no others gods before me  Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image  Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain  Remember the Sabbath Day and make it holy

 Honor thy Father and thy Mother  Thou shalt not kill  Thou shalt not commit adultery  Thou shalt not steal  Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor  Thou shalt not covet thy neighbors wife

 Fastest growing religion in world  Muhammad – founder  Qur'an - holy book  Five Pillars of Islam –rites of passage  Confession of fatih  Pray 5 times daily, very formal  Ramadan – no eat or drink during sun-up  Charity to poor  Hajj – pilgrimage to Mecca