CHAPTER FIVE OVERVIEW
HINDU INDIAIN INDIA, FAMILY MAINTAINED ITS VENERATED POSITION AS THE BASIC UNITY OF SOCIETY. THE SOCIAL STRUCTURE DEMONSTRATED IN THIS SEGMENT IS AN EXPLICIT DEMONSTRATION OF HOW CITIZENS, SPECIFICALLY THOSE IN THE EXCLUSIVE CLASS OF THE VEDIC ARYANS OF THE SOCIALLY ELITE, VIEWED IDEAL SOCIETY.
FOUR VARNAS: A VARNA, DIRECTED TRANSLATED AS A COLOR OR CLASSIFICATION WAS THE ONLY ADEQUATE SYSTEM OF COMPREHENSIVELY ORGANIZING SOCIETY. THEIR ARE FOUR VARNAS, AND EVERY MEMBER OF SOCIETY IS CHARACTERIZED BY ONE OF THE FOUR. ONE VARNA CLASSIFICATION WAS IN DIRECT ACCORDANCE WITH HIS OR HER OCCUPATION, AND THE TYPES OF PEOPLE EACH SECTION ENCOMPASSED GREW CONSPICUOUSLY LARGER WHEN LOOKING AT A STATISTICAL SPECTRUM OF "BRAHMINS TO SUDRAS." GENERALIZATION OF VARNAS: 1. BRAHMINS: INCLUDED PREIST 2. KSHATRIYAS: WARRIOE-ADMINISTRATORS JOB-GOVERN AND PROTECT 3.VAISYA: ARTISANS, FARMERS, HERDSMAN JOB-CULTIVATE, COOK, WEAVE (SUPPORTING SOCIETY MATERIALLY AND AESTHETICALLY) 4. SUDRAS: THOSE SERVED OTHER THREE CLASSES. JOB: ACCOMMODATE THE WISHES OF THE UPPER THREE VARNAS AND ASSURE STABILITY AND THE RIGHT FUNCTIONING OF THE WORLD CASTE SYSTEM: A COMPULSORY AND MULTIPLEX SOCIAL CLASSIFIER THAT PENETRATED THE ENTIRE INDAIN SUBCONTINENT, the abhorrent caste system was only made officially illicit in 1949. Showing the inherently competitive nature of these people and their convictions that birth is the definitive marker of a person's identity, the Indians highly regarded this cultural institution. It was based from various families, occupations, tribes, lineage, and religious groupings, and "Jati" or birth signified a person's authorized inauguration into its class. The word actually came from Portuguese newcomers in the late 15th and early 16th hundreds , as these foreigners, oblivious to their obscure "Caste System" discerned that the social group into which an infant is born is fixed. Affiliated with this Caste system was the abhorrent and conceptually biased notion that those in higher Caste systems cultivated stronger "purity" while those of lower caste systems were condemned to a lifestyle of pestilence. Beyond this level of egregiousness, there was a title of being "untouchables." These people were so impure and polluted that they have been exiled from the classification system itself. Even nominal contact with their social abominations caused degrading and potentially lead to a lower status. The indian people vehemently celebrate the idea that the real person and the universal reality or one. However, immensely disciplined effort, or yoga, was required if one wished to experience the truth rather than just know it. |
HINDUISMHINdus proposed the idea that there a re several different yogas by which one may attain the realization that their is an immaculate union between the individual and the absolute. They believed in three primary yogas which could be suited to different personalities, dexterities, and aptitudes.
1. Yoga of ritual knowledge (in reference to the Vedic text that were renowned as profound articles of wisdom) 2.Yoga of ritual practice (FOCUSING ON BRAHMAN, OR THE POWER OF A RITUAL TO ACCOMPLISH THE OBJECTIVES OF THE PERFORMER) 3. YOGA OF LOYAL DEVOTION TO BHAKTI (TO proficiently cultivate thIS YOGA, ONE MUST EXPERIENCE THE ABSOLUTE AS ACCESSIBLE, PERSONAL AND LOVABLE) ACHIEVING THIS "BHAKTI YOGA" REQUIRED UNSURPASSED ASCETICISM, AND THIS PRACTICE PROVIDED AN OPPORTUNITY FOR DEVOTEES TO INTRODUCE GODS AND GODDESSES CUSTOMARILY FOREIGN TO THE VEDIC AND HINDU CULTURE. NOT ONLY WAS THIS WORSHIP OF GODS LIBERALLY TOLERATED, BUT ALSO THEY WERE AMENABLY EMBRACED. PRACTICED HINDUS ACCOMMODATED THIS DIVERSITY OF RELIGIOUS TEACHINGS BY DISTINQUISHING THESE THINGS AS BEING A PART OF A LARGER REALITY. REINCARNATION WAS ANOTHER KEY PRINCIPLE IN THE HINDU CULTURE. TO HINDUS, REINCARNATION WAS THE ABSTRACT IDEA THAT ONE WOULD EXPERIENCE A SURREAL REBIRTH AFTER DEATH, AND DEPENDENT APON ONE DEGREE OF ARDENT DEVOTION TO THE "SOUL SEEKING" PRINCIPLES THAT THEY WERE EXHORTED TO EXPLORE, IT WOULD EVENTUALLY ACHIEVE ITS FINAL GOAL OF QUINTESSENTIAL UNION WITH BRAHMAN. Critical to this rebirth process is Karma, the ambiguous concept that ones intentional actions will inevitably be judged, and that these sovereign judgements determine their positions in subsequent lives. This justified their doctrine that one current situation is not based on arbitrary randomness but rather a direct consequence. This idea promoted ethical purity and served as an incentive for those to conduct their lives with utmost integrity. The Idea of Dharma is another important concept to Hindu teachings. Dharma is the order, truth, duty, and law and it set the stringent standards of propriety, inspiring those to live virtuously. Dharma defined duty and right behavior which obviously differed in accordance with status and occupations. Hindus understood that to preserve "Dharma" or the prevailing righteousness in the world, they must fight unconditionally for it. Even if this protection of Dharma constituted committing morbid atrocities against loved ones, the rigorous task must be done. |
BUDDHISMSiddhartha Gautama, more conventionally known as Buddha, founded Buddhism meaning the "enlightened one." It became a rival of Hinduism and this menacing tension permeated society. Buddha was raised in opulence, clothed in lavish luxury and comfortably seated in the thrown of good fortune. Kept oblivious to to squalor and poverty of his community, one day his life of intrinsic wealth was blatantly interrupted by the disturbing realization that death, pestilence, plagues, pain, illness, sorrow and death were very present in the lives of ordinary citizens. Appalled by this perturbing epiphany, he renounced his lifestyle of pompous luxuries shaving his head, abandoning his family, and setting off to find the true meaning of life. Initially, he tried sedulously to lead a life similar to the austerities. However, these inhuman active of physical self berating in no way helped him in his pursuit of understanding life. He next tried the method of peaceful and harmonious meditation and when sitting tranquilly under a tree, Buddha allegedly reached enlightenment on the meaning of life.
THE RELIGION: BUDDHISM While Buddha never intended to create a new religion, his profound rebuking of the people's blind compliance (often seen in the hindu culture as followers became dependent on the Brahmins) seemed to be a reformation of the Hindu religion. Rather than ignorantly believing one is told, he challenged people to be responsible for their own lives, not so easily overcome by their own human credulity. If the teachings were comprehensive, they were to accept them . If they were not good, he explained that they had the prerogative to reject them as it was critically necessary that they make these distinctions if they wished to understand life. KEY PRINCIPLES Taught in traditional Buddhism: BY renouncing our desire for materialistic things, we will be freed from the illusion that they exist tangibly. From this, we will understand that these things are thus unworthy our insatiable craving for them and excessive coveting of them. He advised listeners to follow the middle way. The four noble truths were the heart of this teaching: 1. All is suffering 2.Suffering has a cause, which is desire 3. Suffering can be overcome 4. The way to end desire is to follow the Eightfold Path EIGHTFOLD PATH: 1. Right view: knowing the four noble truths 2.RIght intention: resolving to attain enlightenment 3.right speech: speaking truthfully and with kindness 4.Right action: leading a moral life 5.right livelihood: working in a responsible, harmless way 6.Right effort: ceaseless, unwavering striving to enlightenment 7.right mindfulness: controlling our thought 8. right concentration: meditating to see the world as it is. |
MAURYANS AND THE GUAPTAS
MAURYANSnew indian state founded by Chandragupta Maurya, ruling from 324 B.C. to 301 B.c. after he heroically drove out the foreign forced and established the capital in northern india at Pataliputra. The empire was meticulously organized, and the punctilious nature or the emperor became obvious as the provinces, governors, clandestine spy operations were all well organized.Maurya was abnormally paranoid of assassination, and out of this fear he required that official try all of his food in his presence so avoid the risk of any susceptibility to someones egregious plans.His grandson, ASoka, a ruler of the Mauryan Empire, is considered to be the greatest ruler in India’s history. He used the buddhist ideals to guide his leadership. More than anything else, Asoka had an assiduous devotion the welfare of his people, including animals. He propelled India into a luxurious period of unprecedented prosperity, and India became a major crossroad in the commercial trading networks.However, indian decline came simultaneously with Asoka's death. After the last Mauryan rulers was morbidly murdered by one of his generals, the Sunga dynasty was born.
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GUPTASThe Gupta empire cam e into reign when barbaric invaders from Persia overran the Kushan Empire. The Gupta empire was established by a local prince named Candra gupta although he had no affiliations with the revered Candragupta Maurya .However, he did first make alliances with the affluent families in the Ganges area located at the capital of Pataliputra, His successes in extending is empire were immensely successful, and eventually the GUptan Empire grew to be the most influential political force in Northern Empire. In the GUptan culture, civilians lived in lavish prosperity, constantly reveling in their riches and while dancing a pompous festivities. Much of this wealth was derived from their successful trade industry along the Mediterranean. They also traded religiously with the Nomadic pilgrims whoetravled across India to learn and experience the diverse religions promoted in the area. Howe ver, the Gupta's lucrative lifestyles did not last as their empire fell to invasions by nomadic Huns from the northwest.
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KEY TERMS SECTION: CHAPTER FIVE
key terms: 5.1Varnas: the name given by Aryans in ancient India to a group of people in what was believed to be an ideal social structure of four groups.
Caste Systems: a set of rigid categories in ancient India that determined a person;s occupation and economic potential, AS WELL AS HIS OR HER POSITION IN SOCIETY, BASED PARTLY ON SKIN COLOR. HINDUISM: THE MAJOR INDIAN RELIGIOUS SYSTEM, WHICH HAD ITS ORIGINS IN THE RELIGIOUS BELIEFS OF THE ARYANS WHO SETTLED IN IDIA AFTER 1500 B.C. YOGA: A METHOD OF TRAINING DEVELOPED BY THE HINDUS THAT IS SUPPOSED TO LEAD TO ONENESS WITH BRAHMAN. REINCARNATION: THE REBIRTH OF AN INDIVIDUAL'S SOUL IN A DIFFERENT FORM AFTER DEATH. KARMA: IN HINDUISM, THE FORCE GENERATED BY A PERSON'S ACTIONS THAT DETERMINES HOW THE PERSON WILL BE REBORN IN THE NEXT LIFE. DHARMA: IN HINDUISM, THE DIVINE LAW THAT RULES KARMA; IT REQUIRES ALL PEOPLE TO DO THEIR DUTY BASED ON THEIR STATUS IN SOCIETY. |
Key Terms: 5.2Buddhism: a religious doctrine introduce in northern India in the sixth century B.C by Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha, or enlightened one
nirvana: in Buddhism, ultimate reality, the end of the self and a reunion with the great world soul |
Key Terms:n 5.3conversion: the change from one belief or form to another
welfare: something that aids or promotes well being. Silk Road: a route between the Roman empire and china, so called because silk was China's most valuable product. pilgrim: a person who travels to a shrine or other holy place VEDAS: the earliest known Indian literature which contain religious chants an stories that were originally passed down orally from generation to generation and then recording in Sanskrit after writing developed. |