Ch. 8 Study Guide
Hinduism in India
Section 8.1
Hindu Kush Mountains
Example of Sanskrit
Hindu God Indra - god of Thunder and war
Vocabulary
Epics - Long poems
Varnas - Social classes
Brahmans - Priests
Kshatriyas - Warriors, rulers
Vaisyas - Common people: merchants, artisans, farmers
Sudras - Unskilled laborers, servants
Pariahs - Slaves
Jati - smaller groups in the varnas
Dharma - duties of males;
Reincarnation - rebirth of the soul
Karma - what determines what you come back as
Ahimsa - practice requires the believer to protect humans, animals, and even insects and plants
Section 8.2 Rise of Buddhism
Summary
Vocabulary
Nirvana - state of freedom; in cycle of rebirth; not a place
Stupas - large stone mounds over bones of Holy Buddhist people
Section 8.3
Vocabulary
Asoka - grandson; rule began in 274 BC with fierce conquests
Chandragupta I - unrelated to (above) introduced the Gupta dynasty
Chandragupta II - ruled from AD 375 to AD 415; Buddhist Monk from China