India Lecture Notes PDF

India Lecture TOPIC/IDEAS NOTES Indus River Valley 2 Major Cities (RVC) 1. Harappa 2. Mohenjo-Daro Effects of an Increased food supply → Increase population increased food Increase population → divisions of labor/artisans supply and...

India Lecture TOPIC/IDEAS NOTES Indus River Valley 2 Major Cities (RVC) 1. Harappa 2. Mohenjo-Daro Effects of an Increased food supply → Increase population increased food Increase population → divisions of labor/artisans supply and Artisans → increased rate environmental Trade → new cities/government changes Granary, sewage system, city walls, taxes, social classes (homes) Massive earthquake followed by drought changed the landscape and route of the river → migration Religion Aryans → wheat colored people arrived from Indo-Europe Varna → social divisions Jati → subcastes based upon jobs Caste System 1. Based on color (whiter > darker) 2. Later changed to occupation Brahmins 1. Priests Kshatriya 1. Warriors/aristocrats Vaishya 1. Merchants Shudras 1. Peasants Untouchable 1. Handled dead animals and people If a person was born into a caste, they would stay in that caste Hinduism Upanishads 1. Sit in front of the brahmin and learn One universal soul → Brahman Belief in reincarnation Souls may appear as humans or animals 1. Vegetarian diet Karma would determine someone’s next incarnation Must follow your dharmic code Liberation from reincarnation came from moksha Dharmic code → following the duties of one’s caste Moksha → enlightenment in which someone no longer needs to experience rebirth  Buddhism Founded by Siddartha Gautama, a prince who had been kept in a palace Saw human suffering (illness, starvation, and death) Achieved nirvana (enlightenment) Should follow the 8 fold path 1. Right view 2. Right intentions 3. Right speech 4. Right actions 5. Right livelihood 6. Right effort 7. Right mindfulness 8. Right samadhi (thoughts, meditation) Four Noble truths 1. Suffering is inevitable 2. Cause of our suffering → desire 3. An end to suffering 4. End to suffering is following the 8 fold path Believe in reincarnation Achieving enlightenment is possible in this life Nirvana can be achieved by anyone Gender equality 8 Garudhammas 1. Rules of respect Holidays 1. Veska (Buddah Day) a. Honor buddha b. Cut meat form their diet Fact 1. Be bald because it represents achieving enlightenment 2. End to his sexual desires Chandragupta United India under the Maurya Maurya Grandson, Ashoka the Great expands the empire 1. Trade with Greeks, Chinese, Mesopotamia 2. Becomes Buddhists after witnessing the downsides of warfare a. ½ million people died b. Diplomacy > warfare Why would a shudra or an untouchable be attracted to buddhism? A shudra or an untouchable may be attracted to buddhism because buddhism allows one to reach enlightenment with the exception of avoiding the rebirth cycle. By following the 8 fold path, someone can achieve enlightenment quicker within one incarnation.