Ancient Hinduism and Judaism: Vocabulary Flashcards
Hinduism: Vedic Age and Caste System
- Started by the Aryan people
- Aryans developed written language, Sanskrit
- Vedic Age 1500-500\text{ BCE}; importance of Rig Veda
- Mahabharata includes Bhagavad Gita, & the Ramayana were epic poems
- Establishment of caste system
- Brahmins, became the priests of the society, were the highest order
- Kshatriyas, were the rulers and warriors
- Vaishyas, were the landowners, merchants, and artisans
- Shudras, were the servants or slaves
- Lowest group in society was the untouchables (Butchers, morticians, Janitors)
- Very tolerant of other religions
Upanishads and Hindu Beliefs (Upanishads 400 BCE)
- Upanishads 400 BCE provide most knowledge about Hindu beliefs
- Basic ideas:
- Brahman is one true reality; spirit that creates and destroys
- The aspect of Brahman is the self or Atman; Atman is everywhere
- Reincarnation: nothing that lives dies entirely, but returns in another form or body
- Moksha: a state of perfect understanding; desire to reach moksha
- Practices to reach moksha: prayer, meditation, ritual, worship, and good actions
- Karma: moral behavior in one life guarantees rebirth in a higher caste
- Dharma: duties or obligations of ones caste
- Main forms of God: Brahman the creator, Vishnu the preserver, and Shiva the destroyer
- Promoted a patriarchal society; closely connected to caste system
Judaism: Monotheism and Covenant (Page 3)
- Hebrews, or Jews, were the first monotheists; religion dealt more with ethical behavior
- Founder: Abraham around 2000\text{ BCE}; made covenant with Yahweh
- Worshipped Yahweh (Jehovah), who considered the Jews his chosen people
- People had a more personal relationship with Yahweh
- Laws were written down in the Torah for Jews to follow
- More laws were provided in the Talmud
