Indus River Valley Civilization PDF

INDUS RIVER VALLEY CIVILIZATION Religion, Social Class, & Job Specialization The Aryans moved permanently to the Indus Valley, the Aryan society gradually became more rigid and complex. "Hinduism, on this view, derives from their religion recorded in the Veda along with elements of t...

INDUS RIVER VALLEY CIVILIZATION Religion, Social Class, & Job Specialization The Aryans moved permanently to the Indus Valley, the Aryan society gradually became more rigid and complex. "Hinduism, on this view, derives from their religion recorded in the Veda along with elements of the indigenous traditions they encountered." G. Flood (2009) History of Hinduism. HINDUISM "Way of life" No founder. Believes in samsara (the continuous cycle of life, death, and reincarnation) and atman (soul). THE CASTE SYSTEM: A SOCIAL CLASS, RELIGION, AND JOB SPECIALIZATION. ▪ Brahmins (priests) had replaced the warriors as the most influential class. Brahmins ▪ Kshatriyas (warrior-nobles) ▪ Vaisyas (commoners) were the merchants, Kshatriyas traders, and artisans as well as the landowning farmers and herders Vaisyas ▪ Sudras (laboring class) include the conquered Indian people as well as the descendants of Aryans who married non-Aryans. Sudras ▪ Outcastes (also known as untouchables) were excluded from being a real part of Hindu Society PRINCIPLES OF HINDUISM ▪ 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 had their own Dharma – certain rights and duties – a certain place in the society. ▪ Karma is simply 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. BUDDHISM ▪ Founded by Siddhartha Gautama “Buddha” (The Enlightened One) ▪ Don’t acknowledge a supreme god or deity. ▪ The path to enlightenment is attained by utilizing morality, meditation and wisdom. Buddhists often meditate because they believe it helps awaken truth. THE BUDDHA TAUGHT THE WAY TO ENLIGHTENMENT  BUDDHIST BELIEFS CHANGE AS BUDDHISM SPREADS Hinayana Mahayana ▪ Buddha as a god ruling over lesser gods ▪ Remained closed to the original teachings of the Buddha. ▪ Developed a ritualized religion with temples and ▪ Small Vehicle statues of Buddha ▪ Great Vehicle  JAINISM ▪Founder: Mahavira (Great hero) ▪He described karma as “an actual substance that clung to the soul and diminished its original purity and brightness”  The Jains devote themselves to self-denial Strict self-denial and life in a monastery were the only way to purify the soul and get rid of karma The Jains practice nonviolence – ▪ They did not pray or worship gods ▪ Took vows not to steal, lie, or desire anything, and would not kill any living being ▪ Ahimsa (nonviolence) was their central belief To summarize the main religions of Indus Valley Civilization..