India's Great Civilization

Hinduism

The largest religion of the Indian subcontinent. It is currently the world's 3rd largest religion. There is no single founder - a result of overlapping beliefs of the Aryan invaders and Cultural Diffusion.

caste system

In traditional Indian society, an unchangeable social group into which a person is born and cannot leave until they die and are reincarnated into another caste. It is a form of social control. A person's caste determines what job they will hold, where they can live and who they will marry.

reincarnation

In Hinduism and Buddhism, the process by which a soul is reborn continuously until it achieves perfect understanding.

karma

Both Hindus and Buddhists believe that a person's actions during their lifetime will affect a person's fate in the next life. Ex: "What comes around goes around."

dharma

Both Hindus and Buddhists believe that individuals have both religious and moral duties or rules that they have to follow.

Atman

Hindu word for soul

moksha

In Hinduism, freedom from the endless cycle of rebirth into a state of bliss, union with Brahman. This is the ultimate goal of life. (When your soul has achieved perfection and stops reincarnating)

Ahisma

Hindu belief in nonviolence.

Brahma

A Hindu god considered the creator of the world.

Vishnu

A Hindu god considered the preserver of the world.

Shiva

A Hindu god considered the destroyer of the world.

Vedas, Upanishads

The entire body of Sacred Writings or Texts of Hinduism.

Jainism

A religion founded in India in the sixth century BC, whose members believe that everything in the universe has a soul and therefore should not be harmed.

Buddhism

A religion founded in the Indian subcontinent, it is largely based on the teachings, traditions, practices and beliefs of Siddhartha Gautama

Siddhartha Gautama

The founder of Buddhism, known as the Buddha ("awakened one" / "enlightened one")

enlightenment

In Buddhism, a state of perfect wisdom in which one understands basic truths about the universe.

nirvana

In Buddhism, the release from pain and suffering is achieved after enlightenment.

four noble truths

In Buddhism, the precepts that are the essence of the Buddha's teaching: that life is suffering, that desires cause suffering, that the annihilation of desires can relieve suffering, that the way to do this is by following the Eightfold Path; also written Four Noble Truths.

eightfold path

The Middle Way and part of the Four Noble Truths that the Buddha taught as the path to nirvana or enlightenment and consisting of Right View/Understanding, Right Thought, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, Right Concentration; also called Noble Eightfold Path.

Mauryan Empire

The first empire in India, founded by Chandragupta Maurya in 321 BC.

Chandragupta Maurya

founder of the Mauryan dynasty (reigned c. 321-c. 297 BCE) and the first emperor to unify most of India under one administration.

Arthashastra

The science of politics

Stupa: Ellora caves

Represent a burial mound for the Buddha and other religious figures.

Asoka

Ruler of the Mauryan Empire who ruled during the Empire's golden age.

religious toleration

A recognition of people's right to hold differing religious beliefs.

Rock of Edicts

Laws under Asoka

Gupta Empire

The second empire in India, founded by Chandragupta I in AD 320. Which experiences a "Golden Age"

Golden Age

Period of prosperity and peace.
P-political
E-economic
R-religious
S-social
I- intellectual advancements
A- artistic achievements

Patriarchal

Relating to a social system in which the father is head of the family.

Matriarchal

Relating to a social system in which the mother is head of the family

Silk Roads

A system of ancient caravan routes across Central Asia to the Roman Empire, along which traders carried silk and other trade goods. **Example of cultural diffusion**