Ancient India

Early Settlers: Indus River ValleyEarly people lived in the Indus

River ValleyLike the Nile, the Indus flooded

predictably & provided rich soil for farming

People of Indus River developed well-planned cities with brick homes, streets, wells, sewers, markets

Early Settlers: Indus River Valley

Cities in Indus River Valley began to decline & came to an end around 1500 B.C. Why?

–Indus River changed course?

–Over-farming & over-grazing of land?

–Attacks by invaders?

Early Settlers: AryansAryans entered Indus River Valley

in 1500 B.C.Did not live in cities (nomads) &

had no writing system; spoke early form of SanskritSanskrit (language that is still around today in India)

Passed on traditions through VedasVedas—thousands of oral scriptures & poems that tell of the history & religion of Aryans

Through Cultural Diffusion between Early Indus River

peoples and Aryan Invaders—Unique Indian Culture

Developed

Early Settlers: Cultural Diffusion

Through cultural diffusioncultural diffusion (sharing & blending of ideas) of Indus River Valley Civilization and Aryans, a unique Indian culture was created:

–Hinduism

–Caste System

Caste SystemCaste SystemCaste System—complicated set

of divisions of people within Indian society; higher castes were “purer” than lower castes

Did not marry outside of caste; did not share food with lower caste

Each group had own occupation & dharmadharma (duty within caste)– ““Better to do one’s own duty badly Better to do one’s own duty badly

than do another’s duty well”than do another’s duty well”

Caste SystemPriests

Warriors, Rulers

Common People

Unskilled LaborersSlaves

(Untouchables)

Ancient India

Hinduism & Buddhism

HinduismOldest religion in the worldBeliefs:

–BrahmaBrahma—a mighty spirit that creates all & destroys all lives everywhere, in everything.

–To become one with Brahman (called moksha)moksha), you must get “purer”

HinduismBeliefs:

–Caste system reflects purity; higher caste means one is “more pure”

–ReincarnationReincarnation—after you die, your soul returns to another body; into which caste your soul returns depends on how you lived your life (called your karmakarma)

Reincarnation . . .

Everything a person does affects the future of his/her soul.

No deed is forgottenA person builds a future life

through action.

ReincarnationReincarnation

Buddhism

528 B.C. Siddhartha GautamaSiddhartha Gautama introduced Buddhism—anyone can achieve

Enlightenment through the Four Four Noble TruthsNoble Truths

BuddhismFour Noble TruthsFour Noble Truths:

–Suffering is part of life–People suffer because they

want things that cannot have–To end suffering means to end

“wanting”–Once overcome suffering, can

achieve nirvananirvana (state of enlightenment by following the Eight-Fold PathEight-Fold Path)

Eight-Fold Path1.1. Right ViewsRight Views—believe2.2. Right ThoughtRight Thought—don’t be envious3.3. Right ActionRight Action—do what is right4.4. Right EffortRight Effort—be disciplined5.5. Right LivelihoodRight Livelihood—live simply6.6. Right SpeechRight Speech—say nice things7.7. Right MindfulnessRight Mindfulness—keep good mind

& body 8.8. Right MeditationRight Meditation—be focused

Buddhism

Based on non-violence & kindness—true Buddhist wouldn’t hurt a fly

No rituals; based on meditation & actions

Anyone (even women, the poor, & slaves) could attain nirvana

Spread of Buddhism322-298 B.C. Chandragupta

united all of northern India under Mauryan KingdomMauryan Kingdom using terror

His grandson, AshokaAshoka was more peaceful & became Buddhist

Ashoka sent hundreds of missionaries to spread Buddhism; Buddhism became a major world religion

Creating a Buddhist Brochure King Ashoka of the Mauryan Kingdom of India

has asked you to create a persuasive brochure for Buddhism to help spread the faith

Your brochure should:

• Include information about Buddhism

• Include images that reflect your content

• Explain why it is the “best” religion

• Include persuasive writing that tries to convert people in the region from Hinduism to Buddhism