 Developed slowly  Traditions were passed on orally until around 650 BCE, Hindu teachers tried to write their understanding of the religion in what became known as the Upanishads. › Explains how one can achieve freedom from desire/suffering › The ultimate goal: moksha – perfect understanding

 Moksha takes many lives to achieve. › Reincarnation will occur until moksha is reached.  Karma ( good vs bad deed “score” ) will determine will determine what happens to you in the next life by determining which caste you will be born in to

 As cultures blended, the Aryans got more strict with class restrictions › Based their group primarily on skin color  Caste determined your dharma (your responsibilities in this life)  “Impure” jobs (butchers, trash collectors, etc.) became “untouchables”

 Their main gods are similar to the Holy Trinity in Christianity › One God (Brahman)  3 forms:  Brahma (creator)  Vishnu (protector)  Shiva (destroyer)  Hindus are free to follow any god or path they wish to achieve moksha  Holy text: The Vedas, Mahabharata, Ramayana, and the Upanishads

 Karma and reincarnation made the caste system stronger  In the past, as is the case today, most Hindus turn to religion for guidance even with very common activities  Governs the lives of 1 billion Indians

 Started at the same time as the Upanishads › Founder: Mahavira (died in 529 BC)  Believe everything has a soul and try to live a life of zero harm to ANYTHING  Do not try to spread their religion so the vast majority are still living in India.

 Finish your Eastern Religions Crossword (Quiz the beginning of class)  We will officially begin World Religion Presentations tomorrow  By the end of the week, you will need to have completed ALL of the Classical Civilizations quizzes

1. Hinduism is the most popular religion in _______. 2. _____ refers to the balance of good and bad deeds a Hindu has in this life. 3. The _______ ________ refers to the social classes in Hindu society 4. What are the top three gods in Hinduism? 1. India 2. Karma 3. Caste system 4. Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva

 Siddhartha Gautama was an overprotected prince that turned to religion.  Left the wealth of the palace to search for enlightenment in the Indian forests  Became the first Buddha (The enlightened one)

 Four Noble Truths › Life is suffering /sadness › Selfishness is the cause of suffering › To end suffering, end desire › To do so, follow the Eightfold Path (right: views, resolve, speech, conduct, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, concentration)  Success = Nirvana › Reincarnation just like Hinduism  Biggest difference: rejected caste system and god(s)

 Main groups to join › Lower castes › NE Indians (less Aryan influence)  Buddhist missionaries spread all over Asia carrying only a “begging bowl”  Buddhism eventually spread mainly by traders

 Nobody knows definitively why Buddhism is not popular in India  Speculation: Hinduism incorporated Buddhists by embracing the Buddha as an incarnation of Vishnu

 By 100 AD, Buddhists had divided into 2 groups › Mahayana – adopted newer ideas; popular with the masses  Could choose to give up nirvana to “save the world” by teaching  Anyone can become a Buddha › Theraveda – more strict interpretation

 Over the years, people lost touch with Hinduism. By making it more personal, Hinduism would begin to grow again  In response to the growth of Buddhism, Hinduism adapted by focusing on fewer gods › Brahma - creator › Vishnu - preserver › Shiva - destroyer

 With the growing popularity/use of the silk road, Buddhism will rapidly spread throughout China, making it the heaviest concentration of followers still today.

 Religion Presentations › Make sure to answer all the questions from the section being presented  Eastern Religion Crossword › Quiz tomorrow!  USA TestPrep › Classical Civilizations – ALL 14 of the quizzes

 After Muhammad’s death, Muslims split into 2 groups based on who should be the leader › Sunni – believed the leader should be elected › Shia – believe the leader should be related to Muhammad

 Country Leader (in countries where Islam governs life): Caliph  World Authority: Grand Imam  Community: Imam

 World Authority: Marjah  Clergy (religious workers) have 6 ranks: › Grand Ayatollah › Ayatollah › Hojat al Islam › Mubellegh al risala › Mujtahid › Talib ilm

 Question: What are the two main divisions of Islam?  Answer: Sunni and Shia