1. Foundations of Indian Civilization (1500 BCE –300 CE )

2. A.The Indian Subcontinent 1.India has three topographical zones: (1) northern mountains (2) the Indus (wheat) & Ganges Basins (rice) (3) the peninsula 2.Effect of geographical diversity? -difficult to politically unify all of India

3. 1. After demise of Indus Valley civilization, Indo-European warriors migrated into India -herded cattle in NW -Aryans migrated into Ganges Valley -oral tradition tells of light-skinned Arya tribes fighting dark-skinned Dasas 2.struggle led to development of system of varna (means “color”, but means “class”) -born into one of four varna: (1) Brahmin (priests/scholars) (2) Kshatriya (warriors) (3) Vaishya (merchants) (4) Shudra (peasant/laborer) -dalits (untouchables) B. The Vedic Age: Hinduism Brahmins Kshatriyas Vaishyas Shudras

4. 3.four varna subdivided into hereditary work groups called jati (or caste) -complex rules of occupation, duties, & rituals -castes strictly regulated socially reincarnation 4.System rationalized by belief in reincarnation -each individual has immortal spirit (atman) that will be reborn in another body after death karma -one’s station in next life depends on one’s actions (karma) in this and previous lives Vedas 5.holy scriptures: Vedas

5. C.The Rise of Hinduism 1.Pressure from new religions caused reform of old Vedic religion: animal sacrifice became less important, while personal devotion to the gods increased VishnuShiva 2.two deities take central role: Vishnu (preserver) and Shiva (destroyer) Brahma -Brahma (creator) -all other deities are manifestations of a single divine force

6. 3.Hindu worship centered on temples & shrines -includes pilgrimage to Ganges River 4.Hinduism dominant religion of India (over 850,000 followers)

7. HINDU TEMPLES

8. D. Karma & Dharma Karma: Karma: actions in this life that affect the next Dharma Dharma: the religious and moral duties of an individual VedasUpanishads Sacred texts: Vedas & Upanishads

10. E. Religions of Salvation: Jainism & Buddhism 1.During Vedic period: people against rigid social hierarchy self-isolated into forests -pursued salvation through yoga (mind & body), special diets, or meditation -goal was to achieve moksha (liberation from cycle reincarnation) 2.Jainism 2.Jainism: practiced nonviolence & went to extremes in attempts not to kill any living thing -some went naked & starved themselves to death…

11. Jainists

12. 3.Prince Siddhartha Gautama founded Buddhism…title “Buddha,” means “Enlightened One” 4.set forth teaching of Four Noble Truths (life is suffering; desire causes suffering) and of the Eightfold Path that would lead to enlightenment -some took vows of celibacy, nonviolence, and poverty

13. pagodas– symbolize peace bodhi tree where Siddhartha reached enlightenment…

14. Buddha’s Birth

15. Buddha’s First Sermon

16. Middle Path 5.original form of Buddhism: gain enlightenment through living a moral life, meditation, & moderate living (Middle Path) nirvana -achieve nirvana (release from reincarnation) 6.After Buddha’s death, followers organized monasteries -two branches developed: Mahayana & Theravada (followed original teachings) Mahayana: social hierarchy, worshipping Buddha, & Bodhisattvas

17. The Wheel of Life, otherwise called the Cycle of Samsara (material existence) explains the process of death and rebirth. In the very center, there is a rooster chasing a pig chasing a snake chasing the rooster -- craving, hatred, and ignorance. Around that are people ascending the white semicircle of life, and others descending the black semicircle of death.

18. Spread of Buddhism

19. Buddhas