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.