Ancient India
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Transcript of Ancient India
Ancient IndiaAncient India
Religion, and culture, and stuffReligion, and culture, and stuff
Oh my!Oh my!
From Indo-Aryan to Indian SocietyFrom Indo-Aryan to Indian Society
Caste System Basically divided in four classes :
– priests (Brahmins)– warriors (kshatriyas)– merchants (Vaishyas)– and servants (Sudras)
Perhaps a 5th group (Pariahs or untouchables)
But there are thousands of sub-castes
HinduismHinduism Dates back more than 3000
years Developed through
Brahmin’s interpretations of vedas
Many gods. Yet there is only one God, called Brahma.
All other divinities are aspects of Brahma (monistic)
Hinduism cont.Hinduism cont. The world is an illusion (maya),
causing grief and pain—you must learn to identify maya
Hindus believes in reincarnation (samsara = cycle of rebirth)
Dharma = moral duty you must follow in order to progress
Karma = the law of cause and effect (what you do here will affect your future life)
The goal = escape samsara so that the individual soul (atman) becomes one with Brahma = nirvana
Gods and GoddessesGods and Goddesses Vishnu, Shiva (Siva), and
Shakti Vishnu is the protector and
the preserver of the world Shiva is both destroyer and
restorer Shakti is the Mother
Goddess. Can be either beneficial or fierce; sometimes called Parvati or Kali.
Temple worship
Hindu PracticesHindu Practices
Yoga = free the mindYoga = free the mind Religious festivalsReligious festivals Reverence for animals (cow)Reverence for animals (cow)
BuddhismBuddhism Offshoot of Hinduism Developed around teachings
of Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha)
Buddha means “the Awakened or Enlightened One”
There is no one single “Bible” of Buddhism but all Buddhists share some basic beliefs
The religion is both a discipline and a body of beliefs
Four Noble TruthsFour Noble Truths 1) All life is suffering, pain,
and misery, ordukkha.
2) This suffering has a cause: tanha or selfish craving and personal desire.
3) This selfish craving can be overcome.
4) The way to overcome this misery is through the Eightfold Path.
Eightfold PathEightfold Path
1) Right Views 2) Right Intentions 3) Right Speech 4) Right Action 5) Right Living 6) Right Effort 7) Right Mindfulness 8) Right Concentration
Goal of BuddhismGoal of Buddhism
Samsara condemns the individual to the suffering of life.
Life’s goal is to escape samsara and achieve nirvana
The way to achieve Nirvana is to follow the
path of the Middle Way.
Two VehiclesTwo Vehicles Two paths Hinayana (Theraveda) or the
Lesser Vehicle. Theravada Buddhists see
Buddha as a man, a saint, who chose to give up all his wealth and comfort to achieve Nirvana.
The more liberal tradition is called the Mahayana or theGreater Vehicle.
Mahayana Buddhists stress the Buddha as a savior who devoted his live to serving and teaching others.