1. Religion in Ancient India

2. Document Analysis: The Caste System
Warm Up
Document Analysis: The Caste System

3. IT’S FRIDAY!!!! Discussion: Religion in India Jared Diamond Reading
HW: Read Jared Diamond Chapter 14, meet in Lab L310
Summer Assignment Due: 9/11 (B Day) or /12 (A Day)

4. Brahmanism and Hinduism
Early Religious Beliefs of the Aryan population.
Polytheistic initially, relying on several gods.
Represented the needs of humans, such as fire, fertility, wealth, and weather conditions.
Ascetism- Self-discipline or painful stimuli to communicate with gods.
Gradually turns into yoga.

5. Reincarnation Appeared around the time of the Upanishads
Individual soul is reborn in a different form after death.
Karma – one’s rebirth is dictated by their actions in the previous life.
Dharma- Moral Law
Higher castes held to a stricter standard.
Eventually a trinity of gods is the norm.
Brahman, Vishnu, and Shiva

6. Buddhism Founded by Siddhartha Gautama.
He was wealthy, but he saw the death and illness of the lower castes.
Dedicated life to determining causes of human suffering.

7. Basic Beliefs Reformist version of Brahmanism.
Agreed on the concept of Nirvana, reaching enlightenment.
Remove material possessions, this is the cause of pain and poverty.
Four Noble Truths
Eightfold Path
Rejected the Caste System, even though he believed in reincarnation.

8. Ashoka and the end of Mauryan Dynasty
Ashoka begins reign as a ruthless leader, killing anyone as he wished.
Converted to Buddhism, and considered the greatest ruler of the Mauryan dynasty.
People convert and the religion spreads East.
Why did it die out?
Decline in Regional Trade
Tribal rivalries