Polytheism and Belief Systems 24-33

Hindu Religion

The period from 1500 BC-500 BC saw the formation of this

Upanishads and the Bhagavad-Gita

2 texts containing the Hindu beliefs

Aryans

Was a group of people who invaded the Indus River valley and Hinduism was based on their beliefs

Vishnu

The creator

Shiva

The destroyer

Brahma

Supreme being

Reincarnation

Hindus believe that at death, a person’s soul is reborn as another living thing

Dharma

The concept of duty a guide or path to one’s behavior

Karma

The belief that a persons behavior in life will determine one’s form in the next life

Castes

Social groups that people are born into

Brahmins

Apart of the Priest caste group

Kshatriyas

Apart of the Warriors caste group

Vaisyas

Apart of the Herders, farmers, artisans, and merchants caste group

Sudras

Apart of the Farm workers and servants caste group

Dalits

Lowest ranked people, the Untouchables, were at the bottom of the social system

Buddhism

Rejection of the Hindu caste system

Monstacism

Believe in reincarnation, self denial and meditation - no supreme god and no single holy book

Four Noble Truths

Explains the meaning of life in Buddhism

• Life causes pain and suffering
• Pain and suffering are caused by desire
• By giving up desire, one can find peace and harmony
• To find peace, one must follow the Eightfold Path

Eightfold path

• Give up material items
• Act in a worthy way
• Speak truthfully
• Live righteously
• Respect all living things
• Meditate
• By following the Eightfold Path, a person can escape reincarnation and achieve a state of bliss

Confucianism

Based on basic order of
the universe and urges people to follow traditional Chinese ways

Siddhartha Gautama

Founder of Buddhism in 600BC and is known as the “Buddha”

Sutras

Beliefs found in holy books

Kung Fu Zi

The founder of Confucianism who lived from 551- 479 BC

Meritocracy

Confucianism contributed to this and it means that the best get the benefits

Filial piety

Family veneration affected by belief systems