Download Ancient India and China Section 1

Ancient India and China
Section 1
“Read no history; read nothing but
biography, for that is life without theory.”
- Benjamin Disraeli
If the government has no knowledge of
aliens, then why does Title 14, Section
1211 of the Code of Federal Regulations,
implemented on July 16, 1969 make it
illegal for U.S. citizens to have any contact
with extraterrestrials or their vehicles?
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Early India
Main Idea
Early civilization arose in the Indus River Valley,
flourished, and then mysteriously died out. Later
India’s Vedic civilization developed a culture
based on old and new beliefs.
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India’s Geography
Indus River flows across northwest edge of Indian
subcontinent—large landmass, part of a continent
• Home of one of ancient world’s great river valley
civilizations
• Indian subcontinent includes three major geographic
zones
– Far north: Himalaya, Hindu Kush mountain
systems, separating India from rest of Asia
– South: Deccan Plateau, high plateau receiving
less rain than other parts of subcontinent
– Between mountains, plateau are Northern Plains,
where society first developed in India
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Floods and Annual Rainfall
Fertile Region
Monsoon Winds
• Flood deposits from Indus,
Ganges, Brahmaputra
rivers enrich soil of
Northern Plains, make it
very fertile
• Summer, monsoon winds
from southwest bring
warm air, heavy rains
from Indian Ocean; most
of annual rainfall at this
time
• Heavy rains also add to
fertility of plains
• Much of rain brought to
India by seasonal winds,
monsoons
• Winter, northeast
monsoons blow cool, dry
air from Central Asia,
drier months
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Water Critical Factor
The people of India’s first civilizations depended upon the monsoons
to bring the water that their crops needed.
Monsoon Rains
• Monsoon rains flooded
rivers; rivers deposited
fertile silt in which
farmers could grow
crops
• With abundance of
rainfall came threat of
devastation
Devastating Effects
• Monsoon rains too
heavy— crops, homes,
lives could be lost
• Monsoon rains too late,
did not last long
enough—people could
not grow crops; famine
became danger
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Question:
What problems could monsoons cause
for early Indians?
Answer(s): flooding or drought
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Indus Valley Civilization
People have lived in the northern parts of the Indian subcontinent for
thousands of years. At first people lived as hunter-gatherers, but
slowly people began to settle down in farming communities.
First Civilization
Cities, Settlements
• Farm communities
gave rise to India’s
first civilization
• 1920s,remains of
two large cities first
ruins found
• Developed in valley
of Indus River
• Began 2500 BC,
when people first
developed writing
system
– Harappa
– Mohenjo Daro
• Civilization called
Harappan
• Other cities, towns
since uncovered
Indus Society
• Settlements well
planned, carefully
laid out
• Streets ran in grid
pattern; major
avenues twice as
wide as minor
streets
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Harappa
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Harappa
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Mohenjo Daro
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Mohenjo Daro
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Mohenjo
Daro
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Life in Towns and Cities
• Water came from community wells, smaller wells in courtyards of homes
• Public drainage systems carried away wastewater
• Walled, elevated citadel—fortress—enclosed buildings like granaries,
warehouses
• Homes, workshops, shrines built outside citadel
• Uniformity suggests central authority in power
Economy
• Economy likely based on agriculture, trade
• Most probably farmed, herded livestock
• In cities, many specialized in crafts like pottery, metalwork, jewelry
• Indus traded goods with people nearby, distant civilizations
• Traders from Indus Valley brought goods to locations as distant as Central
Asia, Arabian Peninsula, Mesopotamia
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Society
Few Details
• Archaeologists, historians not able to learn many details about Indus society
• Had writing system, but historians not able to read it
• Some say Indus civilization single society, rather than collection of city-states
Similarities
• People shared common tool designs, standard set of weights, measures
• Suggest single authority in control
• Civilization thrived from about 2500 BC to 2000 BC, then began to decline
Decline
• No one knows what led to decline, or if single cause
• Environmental damage suspected; flooding, disappearance of Sarasvati river
• Invasion, disease may also have helped end civilization
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Question:
Why do historians know relatively little
about Indus society?
Answer(s): have not deciphered Indus writing
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The Vedic Period
Sometime after 2000 BC, a new people took control of India. Historians
often refer to this group as the Aryans, from a Sanskrit word meaning
“noble.” Eventually the Aryans ruled over most of India, except for the
far south.
Origin of Aryans
• Historians not sure when Aryans
arrived, where they came from
• Some assume they moved from
area between Caspian, Black seas
• Others argue Aryans developed in
northern India, did not move into
area
Archaeological Evidence
• Little archaeological evidence
remains to document early Aryan
period in India
• Most comes from sacred writings
called the Vedas
• Include many details about Aryan
history, society
This period in Indian history is often called the Vedic period.
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Vedic Society
• According to the Vedas, people settled in villages smaller than cities of
Indus Valley
• Later groups of villages banded together under regional leaders known
as rajas
• Raja primarily war leader responsible for protecting people; received
payments of food, money in return
Social Structure
Varnas
• According to oldest of the Vedas, the
Rigveda, Vedic society divided into
four social classes, varnas
• Each played particular role in society
• Part of body from which each varna
created tied to its duties
• Brahmins came from mouth, source
of speech, wisdom; were priests
• People of four varnas created from
body of single being
• Kshatriyas: warriors, rulers
• Vaisyas: common people, farmers
• Sudras: servants
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Jobs and Privileges
Castes
Social Hierarchy
• Over centuries, four
varnas of Vedic period
divided into hundreds
of smaller castes
• Social hierarchy
developed, some castes
had more privileges than
others
• Membership in caste
determined what jobs
one could hold, whom
one could marry
• Not everyone belonged
to a caste
• Untouchables had no
protection of caste law,
could perform only jobs
that other castes did not
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Vedic Religion
Vedic Religion
Prayer
• Vedas consist mostly of hymns
in praise
• People prayed to many aspects
of single eternal spirit
• We know much about Vedic
religion as result
• One aspect was Indra, who
ruled over heaven
Fire Sacrifices
Complex
• People worshipped gods
through fire sacrifices, chanting
sacred hymns
• Rituals grew more complex
• Priests offered food, drink by
placing on roaring fire
• Brahmin varna gained more
influence in society
• Priests said order in universe
maintained only through rituals
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Indra
Agni
Yama
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Question:
How was Vedic society organized?
Answer(s): into four social classes called varnas
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Hinduism
Main Idea
The religion of Hinduism developed and evolved
over a long time in India, giving rise to a variety of
beliefs and practices and to other religions,
including Jainism.
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Basic
Teachings
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of Hinduism
One of the world’s oldest religions, Hinduism, is practiced by most
people in India today. Hinduism evolved over thousands of years and
was influenced by the cultures and traditions of many peoples. However
a few fundamental teachings are shared by nearly all Hindus.
Brahman
Atman
• Among most basic tenets of
• Hindus believe each person has
Hinduism, belief in Brahman, eternal
atman, soul, aspect of Brahman
being that created, preserves world
• Atman shapes personality, cannot be
• Brahman all-encompassing
destroyed, even by death
• Many believe human mind
incapable of understanding
• Devas, manifestations of Brahman,
active in world, helping maintain
order in nature
Three devas- Brahman (creator), Vishnu (preserver), Siva (destroyer) are particularly influential. Some believe in thousands; others worship
only one as the true manifestation of Brahman.
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Brahman
Vishnu
Siva (Shiva)
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Rebirth and Salvation
Pattern of Life
• Hindus believe universe, everyone in it, part of continual pattern of birth,
death, and rebirth
• After death atman reborn in process called reincarnation, or samsara
New Life
• Nature of person’s new life shaped by karma—sum effect of deeds, actions
• Good karma, reincarnated to better station in life; bad karma, lower station in
life
• Ultimate goal of human existence, moksha, escape from cycle of rebirth
Dharma
• With moksha, atman leaves world, reunites fully with Brahman
• To achieve moksha is to fulfill one’s dharma—spiritual duties, obligations
• By fulfilling dharma, one creates good karma, breaks free from rebirth cycle
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Sacred Texts and Practices
Much of Hinduism’s evolution stemmed from a number of sacred
writings produced over centuries.
Sacred Texts
• Teachings, practices based on
many texts, most sorted into
one of three categories
– The Vedas
– Later writings inspired by
the Vedas
– Sacred epics
• The Vedas, sacred hymns of
praise, among earliest sacred
texts of Hinduism
The Vedas
• Name means “knowledge” in
Sanskrit
• Hindus consider Vedas to
contain eternal knowledge not
written by humans, revealed to
them by Brahman
• Parts of Vedas date back
more than 3,000 years
• Considered core of Hinduism
even today
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Upanishads
• Sacred texts that built upon the Vedas appeared
• Some, such as Upanishads, also believed to have been revealed
rather than written by people
• Upanishads philosophical reflections on the Vedas, dealing with
nature of world, meaning of life
Ramayana, Mahabharata
• Other sacred texts based on themes in the Vedas, but composed by
sages, including two epic poems, Ramayana and Mahabharata
• Each tells story, reflects on living according to Vedic teachings
• Included in Mahabharata, most sacred of all Hindu texts, the
Bhagavad Gita, addressing many aspects of Hindu belief, philosophy
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Ramayana
Mahabharata
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Bhagavad Gita
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Hindu Religious Practices
Worship
Meditation, Pilgrimages
• Hindu beliefs vary widely,
religious practices vary as well;
worship can take place
anywhere
• To help meditate, Hindus
practice series of integrated
physical, mental exercises
called yoga
• At temples, priests might recite,
read portions of the Vedas;
image of a deva sometimes
carried out of temple to people
• Yoga teaches people how to
focus bodies, minds to aid
meditation, help attain moksha
• At home, food, drink, gifts
offered for deva; meditation,
silent reflection
• Hindus also make pilgrimages
to Ganges River to purify,
remove bad karma
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Jainism
New Religion
• 500 BC, group of Hindus broke away, founded new religion called Jainism
• Led by teacher Mahavira, Jains thought most Hindus put too much emphasis
on ritual
Ritual Unnecessary
• Jains thought ritual unnecessary
• People could achieve moksha by giving up worldly things, carefully controlling
actions
Nonviolence
• Central to Jain teaching, idea of ahimsa, nonviolence
• Most Hindus also practiced ahimsa, but not to same extent
• Jains carefully avoid harming living creatures, are usually vegetarians
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Other Traits
• Jains promise to tell only truth
• Avoid stealing
• Strive to eliminate greed, anger, prejudice, gossip from lives
• These things can prevent person from achieving moksha
Lifestyle
• Most devout become monks,
nuns, give up possessions
• Live outdoors, seek shelter only
during rainy months
• Cover mouths with masks,
sweep ground to avoid
accidentally killing insects
Principles
• Most Jains not monks, nuns
• Pledge to uphold principles of
ahimsa, have careers that do
not involve harming of animals
• Jainism calls for periodic
fasting, especially during
festivals, on holy days; limiting
worldly possessions
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Find the Main Idea
What are the major principles of Jainism?
Answer(s): practice nonviolence; tell the truth; do
not steal; try to eliminate greed, anger, prejudice,
and gossip
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Buddhism
Main Idea
Buddhism, which teaches people that they can
escape the suffering of the world through the
Buddha’s teachings, developed in India and
spread to other parts of Asia and the world.
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The Life of the Buddha
In addition to Hinduism, another of the world’s major religions developed in
ancient India. That religion was Buddhism.
Early Life
• Much of what is known about life of
the Buddha from accounts in
Buddhist literature
• Gautama born 500s BC
• Prince of small kingdom in what is
now Nepal
– Led sheltered life
– Unaware of hardship
– Life changed when learned
people got old, sick, died
Buddha’s Enlightenment
• Gautama resolved to find way to
overcome age, sickness, keep
people from suffering
• Age 29, gave up possessions, left
palace
• Sought enlightenment, spiritual
understanding for six years
• Studied with gurus, monks but
decided they could not teach way
to enlightenment
• Died c. 480 BC at age 80
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The Life of the Buddha
Gautama was determined to find way to end
human suffering
• Sat under tree, no teachers, no companions,
determined not to arise until he found way
– Stories say he meditated all night
– Resolve tested by violent storms, earthly temptations
– At daybreak, had been transformed, found
enlightenment, became the Buddha, Enlightened One
– Temple built where he meditated, Bodh Gaya, one of
Buddhism’s most sacred places
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The Teachings of Buddhism
Buddhist Beliefs
• After enlightenment achieved,
Buddha meditated at Bodh
Gaya seven weeks
• Set out to spread to others what
he had learned
• Lessons became basic
teachings of Buddhism
• Among ideas learned in
meditation, central truths, called
Four Noble Truths
Four Noble Truths
• Suffering part of human life
• Suffering from people’s
desires for pleasure, material
goods
• Overcoming desires during
life eventually brings end to
suffering
• Desires can be overcome by
following Eightfold Path
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Eightfold Path
Series of Steps Leading to Enlightenment, Salvation
• Right view, or accepting the reality of the Four Noble Truths
• Right attitude, or striving for moderation in all things
• Right speech, avoiding lies, boasts, and hurtful words
• Right action, or treating others fairly
• Right livelihood, avoiding jobs that could bring harm to others
• Right effort, or constantly trying to improve oneself
• Right mindfulness, or remaining aware of world around one
• Right concentration, or ignoring temptation and discomfort while
meditating
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Worship in Buddhism
• Nirvana – freedom from the cycle of rebirth
• Bodhisattvas – enlightened spirits who help others achieve
Nirvana
• Worship involves images of the Buddha or bodhisattvas –
clothing, feeding, and worshipping of the image is common
• Worship is individual – prayer; chanting; offerings of fruit, flowers
incense
• “You are your own refuge” – salvation comes from within the
mind is the greatest temple
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Nirvana
The Buddha taught that those who followed Eightfold Path
could attain nirvana
• State of perfect peace in which soul freed from suffering
forever
• Those not attaining nirvana reborn to live through cycle of
suffering again
• Basic teachings of Eightfold Path, Middle Way—living in
moderation, avoiding extremes of comfort, discomfort in
search for nirvana
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Divisions of Buddhism
After the Buddha’s death, differing opinions arose concerning the
correct teachings and practices of Buddhism. Eventually three main
Buddhist traditions formed—Theravada, Mahayana, and Tibetan.
Theravada
Mahayana
• “Way of the Elders”
• Teaches people
can help each other
find enlightenment
• Shares many
Mahayana
teachings
• Not necessary to
be monk, nun
• Also believes
special techniques
can harness
spiritual energy,
lead to nirvana in
single lifetime
• Oldest tradition
• Best way to attain
nirvana: be monk,
nun, meditate
• Find one path to
enlightenment; very
much an individual
religion
• Southern Asia
• Bodhisattvas,
enlightened people
not yet passed to
nirvana, help others
• Northern Asia
Tibetan
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Summarize
What are the fundamental teachings of
Buddhism?
Answer(s): suffering comes from selfish desires;
overcoming desire ends suffering; follow Eightfold
Path to overcome desire
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