India Flashcards
The Indus Valley Civilization, Indo-Aryans, Hinduism, Buddhism
5 Main levels of the Caste system
Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, Sudra, Untouchables/Dalit
How do Hindu beliefs support the caste system?
Hindus believe that, based on how good of a person who were in your past life, you are born into a certain social class. You keep going up and down the social ladder until you reach enlightenment.
What is the middle way and how does the Buddha relate?
The middle way is about going down a path free of the 2 extremities of the world, indulgence and eternalism. The Buddha left his home of riches and comfort to find his “Middle path”.
Basic Beliefs of Buddhism
4 noble truths (suffering and how to end it)
eightfold path (how to reach nirvana)
How did Buddhism influence Hinduism?
A lot of poor Hindus converted to Buddhism because it didn’t differentiate between social classes. The Buddha was incorporated into Hindu religion as a incarnation of Vishnu.
Monsoons
Seasonal winds in the Indian subcontinent that bring heavy rain.
What two rivers are part of the Indus River Valley Civilization?
Indus and Ganges river
Who inhabited India after the Indus River peoples?
The Aryans (Indo-Aryans)
Sacred texts of the Hindus
Vedas
Karma/Dharma/Moksha
Karma: good deeds/ beneficial, bad deeds/ not beneficial
Dharma: Religious and moral law, duty
Moksha: Reaching enlightenment
Who was the Buddha?
Siddhartha Gautama
Enlightenment in Buddhism
Nirvana
What are the 4 noble truths
- Everyone alive experiences sorrow and suffering
- People’s earthly desires cause suffering
- The way to end suffering is by giving up earthly desires
- Following the eightfold path will help you give up these desires
What is Dowry
A payment made by the bride’s family to the groom’s family at the time of marriage. Practiced in India.
