1. The Foundation of Indian Society
From Aryans to Ashoka
The Foundation of Indian Society

2. Hindu Origin Myth A lotus flower grew from Vishnu’s navel
In the middle of the blossom sat Vishnu's servant, Brahma
Vishnu spoke to his servant, "It's time to begin…create the world”

3. Harappan Civilization
The key to early Indian civilization is the city of Harappa in modern-day Pakistan, discovered in 1921
Archaeologists then discovered Mohenjo Daro in 1922, a bronze age Manhattan

4. Sanskrit & the Vedic Hymns
Like Latin, Sanskrit is no longer a spoken language…locals still use it to memorize their peoples’ earliest scriptures, the Vedic Hymns, older than the Holy Bible by at least 1500 years

5. MOTHER = “Mater” In Latin “Meter” in Greek “Matar” in Sanskrit
Aryan Migration
FATHER =
“Pater”
In Greek & Latin
“Pitar”
In Sanskrit
MOTHER = “Mater” In Latin “Meter” in Greek “Matar” in Sanskrit
Mahabarata
Ramayana

6. Hinduism Atman (Spirit) Karma (Good Deeds) Brahman (World Soul)
Atman (Individual Soul)
Dharma (Duty)
Moksha (Liberation)
Karma (Actions)

7. Hindu Holy Trinity Brahma (Creator) Vishnu (Preserver)
Shiva (Destroyer)

8. Hindu Caste System

9. Buddhism Siddhartha Gautama (563-486 BCE)
Wandered for six years before finally coming to Bodh Gaya
Core of Buddhism are the “Four Noble Truths”
Following the “eight-fold” path of non-violence will lead to supreme enlightenment

10. Persian Empire
Greatest power on earth was the Persian Empire, stretching from Greece to India
Founded by Cyrus the Great and expanded by Darius I
Alexander the Great then overthrew the Persians and conquered the region

11. Jainism
Kaivalva (Detachment)
Ahimsa (Non-Violence)

12. Vardhamana Mahavira
Arguably, the greatest Jain teacher was Vardhamana Mahavira, the 24th and last Tirthankara (omniscient teacher)
Tirthankara is a person who has conquered the cycle of death and rebirth, providing a bridge to Moksha

13. Mauryan Empire
Chandragupta Maurya would found the Mauryan Empire, forerunner of modern India Patna stretched for 10 miles along the bank of the Ganges River
Patna was such an important site, that seven capital cities would be built on its ruins

14. Ashoka
Ashoka was a brutal king who built a prison called Agam Kuan…but after the Battle of Kalinga, the king grew to regret his conquest, renounced war, and turned to Buddhism

15. Conclusion