Test #4: Hinduism, Buddhism, and Indian Life

atman

essential self

moksha

unity with the universe; the ultimate goal

reincarnation

being reborn multiple times. (your soul lives on even after your body decays)

karma

the good or bad you incur in your lifetime that affects where you are born in the next life.

dharma

A person's duty

ahimsa

non violence

nirvana

enlightenment

sect

a subgroup, usually an offshoot.n

caste

social order based on occupation

brahman

The unchanging, infinite, immanent, and transcendent reality which is the Divine Ground of all matter, energy, time, space, being, and everything beyond in this Universe.

meditation

Meditation is mindfulness, focusing the mind on a particular object, thought, or activity – to train attention and awareness, and achieve a mentally clear and emotionally calm and stable state.

dissent

differing or opposing ideas

missionary

people sent on missions to spread the religion

golden age

a specific time period of rapid growth in a specific field

decimal system

base 10 number system

stupa

temple

mural

large paintings, usually on walls or ceilings

joint family

several generations of family that live under one roof

rajah

king or prince in India

sanskrit

brahmins

preists and academics (highest class)

kshatriyas

warriors and kings (under brahmins)

vaisyas

merchants, landowners (under kshatriyas)

sudras

commoners, Peaseants, servants (under vaisyas)

dalits

"untouchables" lowest class did work other wouldn't/couldn't do.

What is the bhagvad gita?

The Gita is a dialogue between a
prince and the god, Krishna.

Facing the duty to kill his
relatives, the prince is told by
Krishna to fulfill
his Kshatriya (warrior-caste)
duty.

The Bhagavad Gita emphasizes
the importance of Dharma

—Do your caste duty!

Why were castes accepted?

because they were upheld by religion: the place you are in life right now is a result of your past actions, and you can better yourself if you do good in this life.

What are the beliefs of Hinduism?

What were The Vedas?

500 B.C. - Indians record oral religious traditions in
text.
The Vedas are Hindu scriptures that contain hymns to
gods and reference important historical events.

What are the three main gods of Hinduism?

They are breakdowns of Brahman: Brahma the creator; Shiva the destroyer; and Vishnu the preserver

Who was the founder of Hinduism?

As a result of this mixing of religious ideas,
there is NO FOUNDER, NO SINGLE TEXT of
Hinduism. There is no single, systematic approach to teaching its value system.
Hindus do not have a simple set of rules to
follow like The Ten Commandments. Local, regional, caste, and community-driven practices influence the interpretation and practice of beliefs throughout the Hindu world.

What are the core beliefs of Hinduism?

Truth is eternal.
Brahman is the one true God who is formless, limitless, all-inclusive, and the eternal truth.
Everyone should strive to achieve dharma.
Individual souls are immortal.
The Vedas are the ultimate authority.

Where did buddhism spread?

China, Korea, Japan, SE Asia

Pantheism

The belief that the universe is identical
with divinity, or that everything composes an
all-encompassing, God.

Who was Siddhartha?

He was born a high class Hindu, his mom had vision he was going to become a wandering holy man, his father didn't like that and kept him locked up in a huge palace and gave him everything a person could need and want but he saw a dead man, a sick man, and an old man once he ventured outside the palace walls. He was shook and decided to find answers, he wandered and asked Hindu priests and scholars, none gave him satisfying answer so he did it himself by meditating for 48 days and nights and resisting temptation and he achieved enlightenment.

What is mayahana buddhism?

turned Buddhism into a religion, made the Buddha and other holy figures into gods, create several afterlives which included a good and bad place. It was made easier for common people to follow. (spread to china, tibet, japan, and korea)

What is Theravada Buddhism?

followed the Buddha's word to a T. Only the most dedicated could achieve nirvana. (spread to sri lanka and SE asia)

what were the four noble truths?

1. all life is full of suffering, pain, and sorrow.
2. The cause for suffering is the desire for things that are really illusions (long life, money, riches, power, etc.)
3. The only cure for suffering is to overcome desire
4. The way to overcome desire is to follow the eightfold path.

What was the 8-fold path?

right views, right speech, right mindfulness, right contemplation, right aspirations, right livelihood, and right effort.

IWW did the caste system maintain social order?

It kept everyone in order while also promoting interdependency. Everyone had a set job they did, and people relied on each other for certain services and goods they couldn't do/get based on their caste. It was also supported by religion so people didn't really rebel against it.

What was the Mauryan Empire?

Lasted from 321 to 185 BCE, it united most of India under one empire. Had many schools as well as palaces, temples, and libraries.

Who was Chandragupta?

First gained power in the Ganges valley, then conquered northern India. He maintained order through bureaucracy. Ex: royal officers supervised building of roads and other projects, others collected taxes and maintained ship-yards, factories, and harbors. People found justice and order in the royal court. His rule was harsh but effective, with a brutal secret police reporting on crime and dissent.

Who was Asoka?

Chandragupta's grandson; expanded Mauryan rule to the south, became emperor in 286 BCE and fought a very bloody rule (over 100,00 dead). Horrified by the slaughter he converted to Buddhism and renounced violence. Sent missionaries to spread Buddhism, became vegetarian and limited Hindu animal sacrifices but was generally tolerant of other religions. He had stone pillars built announcing the laws, built rest topes and roads for travelers as well as shines and hospitals and promised a fair government.

What were the kingdoms of the Deccan?

Tamil kingdoms, revered women and even let them rule, relied heavily on trade and had lots of international trade with Rome and china. In south India.

What was the golden age of the guptas?

500 years AFTER the Mauryan, Guptas reunited India, had string central government, send India into a golden age, and ruled from 320 - ~550 ACE. were much more lenient compared to the Mauryan, let individual villages do as they pleased as long as they payed taxes, people elected the officials, no harsh punishments only fines, trade and farming flourished.