1. Eurasian Cultural Traditions 500 BCE to 500 CE
World History Notes
Beliefs of Classical India

2. Important Ideas--Backdrop
The Aryans who came from Central Asia
Nomadic and lived by herding cattle and by fighting.
They developed iron weapons and horse drawn chariots which helped them conquer their neighbors.
By 900 BC, the Aryans formed city states in the major river valleys. Each city state was ruled by it’s own ruler

3. Backdrop--Contributions
The Aryans developed their own writing known as Sanscrit. Knowledge became a sign of education, wealth and startus since it was only taught to members of of the higher castes.
What is a caste? Make sure you understand the main caste divisions in India.
Mixing of Dravidian peoples led to a new social and religious rules which allowed only Aryans to occupy the higher social classes.

4. Backdrop-Caste System
Under this system, people were divided into five hereditary classes, known as a caste system

5. Caste lines were rigid and based on birth.
Under this system, they lacked social mobility not able to marry outside their caste system. The Untouchables perfomed the lowliest tasks.

6. Language & Traditions
Traditions were passed down verbally for centuries because there was no written language
People sang songs & recited epics = long poems celebrating their heroes
Texts eventually written down in Sanskrit

7. Hinduism Introduced by the Aryians Many deities
Based on different beliefs & practices -- not founded by one person
Doesn’t have one, single holy book
3 gods are most important = Brahma (creator), Vishnu (preserver), and Siva (destroyer) (Many gods+ polytheism)

8. Vishnu = Preserver
Brahma = Creator
Siva = Destroyer

9. The Vedas
Priests called Brahmins collected hymns, poems, prayers, and rituals into holy books known as Vedas
Brahmins performed rituals and sacrifices, which gave them power and wealth

10. The Upanishads
Like many religions, Hinduism provided believers with a whole way of life. It explained everything a person should do from life to death. It had no single Holy Book.
Upanishads = religious writings compiled by anonymous thinkers
All humans have a soul = the atman
All souls are part of 1 eternal & universal spirit = Brahman
Goal in life = union with the Brahman = liberation or moksha

11. Cycle of Rebirth
Believed in samsara = reincarnation/rebirth of the soul—reborn as another living thing. Creates an endless cycle of rebirth.
Soul passes through many lifetimes and continues until spiritual liberation = moksha
Karma (refers to a person’s behavior in life) = how a person lives in this life determines what form the person will take in the next life
Liberation achieved through a life of prayer, strict self-denial, and rejection of all worldly possessions

12. Buddhism-- Founder = Siddhartha Gautama Prince from northern India
Lived a sheltered and luxurious life
Asked his charioteer to drive him around the city outside of the palace walls
Was shocked to see the violence, old age, sickness, disease, and hardship that existed—he saw that suffering was caused by human selfishness.

13. Siddhartha Gautama
Set out on a 6-year quest to find spiritual enlightenment and an answer to why this suffering existed
Taught what he learned --> his followers renamed him the Buddha = the Enlightened One

14. Four Noble Truths—Explains Life’s Meaning
All people suffer and know sorrow.
People suffer because they desire.
People can end their suffering by eliminating their desires.
People can eliminate their desires by following the Eight-Fold Path.

15. Eight-Fold Path—To Give Up Selfish Human Desires
Know the truth
Resist evil
Say nothing to hurt others
Respect life
Work for the good of others
Free your mind of evil
Control your thoughts
Practice meditation

16. Nirvana
Following this path would lead to nirvana = state of enlightenment
Not a place (like Heaven)
State of peace and serenity

17. Buddhism vs. Hinduism Similarities
Karma
Rebirth/reincarnation
Practice of meditation
Final release from cycle of rebirth

18. Buddhism vs. Hinduism Differences
Buddhism rejects:
Religious authority of Hindu Brahmins
Hindu caste system
Hindu deities

19. Buddhism: Different Expressions
Theravada Buddhism = believe the Buddha is a wise teacher and model, but he isn’t divine
A philosophy, not a religion
Mahayana Buddhism = Buddha became a god who postponed his own entry into nirvana to help others
Means the reincarnation of future Buddhas
A religion, not a philosophy

20. Buddhism’s Decline in India
Wealth of Buddhist monasteries and leading monks separated them from ordinary people
Competition from Islam after 1000 CE
People turned toward more popular form of Hinduism

21. New Wave of Hinduism
More focus on individual action as a means of achieving spiritual liberation
Less emphasis on rituals and sacrifices made by the Brahmins
Stressed devotion to one of the gods/goddesses

22. Bhakti (Worship) Movement
Intense adoration of and identification with a particular deity
Resulted in many bhakti cults