Lesson 1 - The Indus Valley Civilization
India is separated from the rest of Asia by this mountain range.
Himalayas
What are the Vedas?
sacred hymns
Who is the supreme spiritual force in Hinduism?
Brahman
Who is Siddhartha Gautama?
Buddha / Hindu Prince
What is moksha?
the ultimate goal in Hinduism - "Oneness with Brahman"
Where did the first civilization of India arise?
along the Indus and Sarasvati rivers
How did the early Indo-Aryans measure their wealth?
in cattle
The belief that after a person dies, their spirit will become another living thing (plant, animal, or another person).
Reincarnation
How did Buddha achieve enlightenment?
He meditated under the Bodhi Tree for 49 days.
What were gurus?
Gurus were thinkers and teachers who left their homes to live in the forest.
What cuased the Indus Valley civilization to disappear?
No known cause, but there are possible theories
What does caste mean?
A fixed social class into which a person is born
Which holy Hindu scripture written by teachers/gurus helped connect people to heavenly forces?
the Upanishads
Nirvana or an end to desires and suffering
What are the names of the two great epic poems of Hinduism?
Mahabharata & Ramayana
What did early farming villages in India depend on?
Summer monsoon
Dalits
Define dharma & ahimsa.
Dharma- person's duty or what is right
Ahimsa- avoiding doing harm to any living thing
There are 2 core beliefs that Hindus and Buddhists share. What are they?
Karma & Reincarnation
Who is the founder of Jainism?
Mahavira
Ancient Indians had advanced knowledge of:
mathematics
Name each grouping in the caste system, from high to low.
Brahmins - Priests
Kshatriyas - Rulers & Warriors
Vaishyas - Landowners, bankers, and merchants
Sudras - Farmers, Laborers, and servants
How did Hinduism spread?
Hinduism's flexibility - accepted worship of new gods, people did not have to give up their old religion.
Hinduism adopted their traditions and gods
Name the two branches of Buddhism and its beliefs.
Theravada Buddhism - focuses on the wisdom of the Buddha
Mahayana Buddhism - focuses on the Buddha's compassion.
Name four out of the eight steps of the Eightfold Path
1. Right Belief 2. Right Purpose 3. Right speech 4. Right Conduct 5. RIght Livelihood 6. Right Effort 7. Right Mindfulness 8. Right Meditation