Indus River Valley Civilization and the Caste System

Indus River Valley Civilization

• The Aryan civilization migrated to the Indus Valley, their society became more organized and complex.
• The Aryans' religion, described in the Veda, influenced the development of Hinduism.
• Hinduism is a multifaceted belief system with no single founder, emphasizing the cyclical nature of life, death, and reincarnation (samsara).
• It also places importance on the 'atman' (soul).

The Caste System

• The caste system is tightly linked to social class, religion, and job specialization within Hinduism.
• The Brahmins (priests) rose to prominence as the most influential class, replacing the warrior class (Kshatriyas).
• The Kshatriyas consisted of warrior-nobles.
• The Vaisyas were merchants, traders, artisans, farmers, and herders.
• The Sudras comprised the laboring class, including both conquered people and descendants of Aryans who married non-Aryans.
• Outcastes, also known as untouchables, were excluded from mainstream Hindu society.

Principles of Hinduism

• Hindus believe in a supreme principle called Brahman, representing the ‘world spirit’.
• The goal of a Hindu is to achieve union with Brahman, returning to the universal spirit.
• Each caste has its own Dharma, representing specific rights, duties, and place in society.
• Karma is the cumulative effect of good and bad actions throughout a person's lives.
• Fulfilling one's Dharma based on caste and status is crucial for achieving good karma.

Buddhism

• Founded by Siddhartha Gautama, also known as the Buddha ("The Enlightened One").
• Buddhism does not acknowledge a supreme god or deity.
• The path to enlightenment is achieved through morality, meditation, and wisdom.
• Meditation is considered a key practice in Buddhism, believed to help awaken truth.

Buddhist Beliefs

• Hinayana: Remains closer to the original teachings of Buddha.
• Mahayana: Views Buddha as a god ruling over lesser gods.

Indus River Valley Civilization - Religion

• The Indus River Valley Civilization was influenced by the Aryan people who moved to the region.
• Hinduism is believed to have developed from a combination of Aryan traditions and local practices.
• Hinduism believes in samsara, the continuous cycle of life, death, and reincarnation.
• Hindus believe in atman, the soul.
• Hindus believe that there is a 'world spirit' or 'supreme principle', called Brahman.
• The goal of a Hindu is to return to brahman and be absorbed back to the universal spirit.
• The members of each class in Hindu society had their own Dharma – certain rights and duties.
• Karma is the accumulated good and bad acts of all one’s previous lives.
• Performing the correct dharma for one’s class and status is essential to achieving good karma.

The Caste System

• The Caste System is a social system that divides people into classes based on their birth.
• Brahmins (priests) were the most influential class.
• Kshatriyas (warrior-nobles) were the ruling class.
• Vaisyas (commoners) were merchants, traders, artisans, farmers, and herders.
• Sudras (laboring class) included conquered people and descendants of Aryans who intermarried.
• Outcastes (also known as untouchables) were excluded from Hindu society.

Buddhism

• Buddhism was founded by Siddhartha Gautama, also known as the Buddha, which means "The Enlightened One".
• Buddhism is a path of practice and enlightenment focused on attaining a state of liberation from suffering.
• Buddhists do not acknowledge a supreme god or deity.
• Buddhists believe that the path to enlightenment is attained through morality, meditation, and wisdom.
• Meditation is believed to awaken truth.

Buddhist Beliefs

• Hinayana and Mahayana are two major branches of Buddhism.
• Hinayana remains close to the original teachings of the Buddha.
• Mahayana views the Buddha as a god who rules over lesser gods.