Geography
This serves as a barrier between the Indian peninsula and China
Himalayan Mountains
Belief in many gods
polytheism
Founder of Buddhism
Siddhartha Gautama
War that impacted Ashoka profoundly
Kalinga War
Ushers in the Gupta Golden Age
Chandragupta II
Purpose of irrigation systems
Manage monsoon seasons (manage the water during the wet season and move the water during the dry season), support agriculture
Relationship between reincarnation & caste system
Your place in the caste system (rigid social classes) is related to where your soul is reborn, from the cycle of reincarnation.
Reincarnation
Belief held by Hindus and Buddhist that the soul is reborn after death (also called samsara)
Religious tolerance
allowing other people to think or practice other religions and beliefs
Primary religion
Hinduism
Monsoon
Seasonal winds (bring wet or dry weather); important for ship movement on the Indian Ocean
Dharma & karma
Dharma= duty/job; Karma= actions
Four Noble Truths
They explained the link between human suffering and desire.
Role of missionaries
spread religion; in this case, specifically Buddhism
Reason why the Gupta could take control
Regional chaos following the fall of the Gupta allowed Chandragupta I to establish alliances and win important military battles to expand and establish control
Indian Ocean Complex
Trade network that connected Asia and Africa; heavily impacted by the monsoons
Moksha
The end goal of Hinduism: reaching union with Brahman and an end of reincarnation (samsara)
Eightfold Path
Following the Eightfold Path is a way of coming to terms with the Four Noble Truths and eliminate suffering. It is meant to help lead a Buddhist toward enlightenment.
Ashoka
Ashoka ruler of Mauryan Empire; attempted to improve his empire through benevolent rule and social reforms related to Buddhism
2 Achievements of the Gupta
Art (inspired by Hinduism & Buddhism), architecture, writings by Kalidasa, math (the development of the concept of zero, pi), metallurgy
Important river in India
Ganges River, Indus, Brahmaputra
Foundation of Hinduism
NO single founder! It was born from a combination of Aryan beliefs and Indus Valley beliefs
Nirvana
The end goal of Buddhism: reach enlightenment and end cycle of reincarnation
Rock and Pillar Edicts
laws inscribed on rocks and stone pillars that were put up in public places throughout Ashoka's empire and based on Buddhist teachings
Process by which morals, beliefs and ideas spread to other places
Cultural diffusion