Asia Essential Topics
By: Mackenzie, Ryone, and Carlisle
China's Economic Rise
Hinduism vs. Buddhism
Hinduism-
Not founded by one person.
Believes in the Efficacy and Supremacy of the Vedas.
Polytheistic
Trinity of Gods
- Brahma
- Vishnu
- Shiva
Buddhism-
Founded by buddha
Do not believe in the Vedas
Does not believe in the existence of souls as well in God.
Meditation
Nirvana
The middle way
The Kashmir Conflict
The Caste System
The Caste System is a sort of social class used mainly in ancient India. It was founded my Hindus.There are five levels of the caste system: Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, Shudra, and Harijans. Within each of these levels are the actual castes where people are born, marry, and die. This system is meant to prevent chaos among society and the people there accept and respect it. This system is mainly seen in India where it still plays a role. A person who is born into one caste rarely, if ever, mix with people of other castes. Brahmin are people such as priests, teachers, and judges. They usually lived in temples away from other people. Kshatriya was the warrior caste who made everyday decisions and ran the government. The Kshatriya had most of the power in everyday life, but their decisions could be overruled by the Brahmin. (This is almost similar to the US government in some ways.) Vaishya were skilled farmers and merchants. They occasionally had leadership positions in local villages. Shudras were often unskilled workers that worked on farms of people of higher castes. Foreigners, lawbreakers, people from isolated tribes, and people suffering from contagious diseases were called the untouchables or “outcastes”. Untouchables were hired to do work that members of the caste system would not do. These jobs included killing or disposing of dead cattle or working with their hides. They were also not able to enter places such as temples, schools, and other places where cast members commonly went. Many of the untouchables converted to other religions such as Islam, Christianity, or Buddhism. Members of castes were vegetarian and therefore not able to eat meat.