seasonal wind patterns that cause wet and dry seasons
100
sanskrit
the most important language of ancient India.
100
caste system
divided Indian society into groups based on a person's birth, wealth, or occupation
100
nonviolence
the avoidance of violent actions
200
reincarnation
the process of rebirth
200
karma
the effects that good or bad actions have on a person's soul.
200
fasting
going without food
200
meditation
focusing of the mind on spiritual ideas
200
untouchables
By the late Aryan period, a segment of early Indian society had developed that did not belong to any caste. They could hold only certain, often unpleasant, jobs.
300
Hinduism
the largest religion in India today. Blending of ideas from the sacred texts with ideas from other cultures.
300
Buddhism
a religion based on the teachings of the Buddha
300
nirvana
a state of perfect peace
300
missionaries
people who work to spread their religious beliefs
300
Vedic texts
Aryan Brahmins wrote down their thoughts about the Vedas(hymns and poems). In time these thoughts were compiled into collections called Vedic texts.
400
Jainism
based on the teachings of a man named Mahavira, who is believed to have been born around 599 BC.
400
Sikhism
has its roots in the teachings of the Guru Nanek, who lived in the AD 1400s.
400
Theravada
Members of the Theravada branch tried to follow the Buddha's teachings exactly as he had stated them.
400
eightfold path
method for overcoming ignorance and desire
400
Four Noble truths
four guiding principles for Buddha's teachings
500
atman
According to Hindu teachings, everyone has a soul, or atman, inside them.
500
Brahmanism
Religion practiced by the Aryans
500
Aryans
First arrived in India in the 2000s BC. They were nomads who settled in villages and began to farm.
500
Siddhartha Gautama
The prince who often wondered why there was so much pain in the world
500
Mahayana
believed that other people could interpret the Buddha's teaching to help people reach nirvana