ROTW Unit 3

who is zoroaster

ancient persian prophet who founded zoroastrianism

what did zoroaster teach

life is a battle between good (truth) and evil (lies)

what did zoroaster have a vision of

ahura mazda, supreme god

where did zoroastrianism originate

ancient persia

when did zoroastrianism become the state religion

during the achaemenid empire

where are zoroastrians today

india (parsis) and iran (zardusht)

why did zoroastrianism decline in popularity

islamic conquest led to persecution and they fled to india to escape forced conversion

asha =

self, truth, order, righteousness

druj =

reality, deceit, chaos, evil

non-dualists

atman and the gods are aspects or manifestations of brahman (more influential to thought)

dualists

atman and the gods are related to but distinct from brahman (more influential to practice)

ahura mazda =

the good, wise creater god

angra mainyu (ahriman) =

the spirit of evil and destruction

what is the role of humanity in zoroastrianism cosmology

helped aura mazda by choosing good over evil, every moral choice affets the cosmic balance, final judgment based on actions in life

what are the zoroastrianism beliefs

emphasize purity, truth, and righteous living

what are the zoroastrianism practices

daily prayers, fire rituals, and wearing a sacred thread

fire =

symbol of purity and divine presence (always burning in temples)

water =

symbol of life and cleansing

faravahar =

winged symbol representing the soul and moral guidance

what are the origins of hinduism

evolved over 4,000 yrs from indus valley civilization and aryan beliefs, one of the world's oldest living religions

who founded hinduism

no one

what is the historical usage of the term "hinduism"

originally used by outsiders to describe people living near the indus river, become more common during british colonial rule

where do hindus live

mainly in india and nepal

1st event

migration of aryans into indus river

2nd event

composition of the vedas

3rd event

codification of the caste system

4th event

rise of the brahim caste

5th event

islamic conquest of much of india

6th event

british colonization of india

7th event

indian independence

brahims

priests and scholars

kshatriyas

warriors and rulers

vaishyas

merchants and farmers

shudras

laborers and servants

dalits

outside the caste system, face discrimination

dharma

living according to one's duty and moral law

karma

actions determine future rebirths

samsara

cycle of reincarnation

moksha

liberation from the cycle of rebirth

what are hinduism practices

daily puja (worship, meditation, pilgrimages)

diwali

festival of lights (celebrating victoy of good over evil)

holi

festival of colors (celebrates spring and divine love)

brahman

ultimate, unchanging spiritual reality (divine source of all)

atman

the individual soul, which is part of brahman

what is hindus goal in life

realize the unity of atman with brahman

brahma

the creator

vishnu (hinduism)

the preserver (avatars include rama and krishna)

shiva

the destroyer and transformer

what are temples to hindus

sacred spaces where gods dwell

how do hindus worhsip in temples

offering food, flowers, and prayers

where does jainism originate

india around 6th century BCE

who founded jainism

mahavira, 24th tirthankara

what are the jainism beliefs

ahimsa (non-violence), truth, non-stealing, non-possessiveness, karma and reincarnation, but no belief in a creator god

what are the jainism practices

strict vegatarianism, ascetic lifestyle, rituals often focusing on honoring the tirthankaras

digambara (jainism)

monks don't wear clothes, very strict

svetambara (jainism)

monks dont wear white, more liberal

Indus Valley Period (3000-1500 BC)

early religious symbols and rituals (like bathing, animal worship), foundations of Hindu ideas begin

Brahminical Period (1500 BC- AD 300)

aryans arrive; Vedas written, brahmins lead rituals and sacrifices, caste system develops.

Classical Period (300- 1200)

major epics and scriptures (like the Gita) written, gods like Vishnu, Shiva, Devi become central, temples grow in importance.

Hindu-Muslim Period (1200-1600)

muslim rule in India begins, tension but also cultural blending (Bhakti movement).

Modern Period (1600- Present)

british colonization, then Indian independence (1947), hinduism spreads globally and adapts to modern times