The Vedic (Hindu) Religion in India, Hebrew Monotheism, and Persian Zoroastrianism

Aryan migrations into the Indus Valley caused a mixture of ideas to form the basis of Hinduism

The Vedas (1500-600 B.C.E) = a holy book compiled by the Brahmins (priests), contained basic ideas of the impersonal gods of early Hinduism

caste system formed out of the ideas in the Vedas (written using Sanskrit language)

Dissatisfaction with impersonal Brahmin practices led to the Upanishads (800-400 B.C.E), a holy book showing a more personal relationship with the gods

Hinduism eventually was challenged and reformed by the rise of Buddhism

Aryan Migration

pastoral depended on their cattle.

warriors horse-drawn chariots.

Varna System

ShudrasShudras

VaishyasVaishyas

Kshatriyas Kshatriyas

Those with no caste: Untouchables

Those with no caste: Untouchables

BrahminsBrahmins

The Caste System Justified

SOCIAL CLASSES=

mouth

arms

legs

feet

Of Purusha, a god

BrahminsBrahmins

KshatriyasKshatriyas

VaishyasVaishyas

ShudrasShudras

Brahman basically, God.

Everyone and everything (including all the other gods) is a manifestation (a part) of Brahman.

Ultimate goal Union with Brahman by

achieving moksha (liberation) through samsara (reincarnation)

Caste System Social mobility in the

NEXT LIFE determined by good karma achieved by fulfilling ones dharma (duties)

Bhakti (worship) movement Came about as a

reaction against Brahmin rituals that weren’t very personal

Adoration and personal worship of gods

Identification of individuals with a particular deity

Protector and preserver

Destroyer

Official religion of the Persian Empire

Founded by Zoroaster (600s BCE)

Beliefs Monotheistic (Ahura

Mazda) Belief in Heaven and

Hell Judgment Day Good (God) and Evil

(Satan), Savior (Messiah)

Assimilated into other monotheistic faiths

JUDAISM Hebrews in the

Middle East Despite conquests

by Assyria and Babylonian empires, retained culture and traditions

Duteronomic Code – 613 laws in the Old Testament to keep Jews separate from other cultures and prevent assimilation

Yahweh- God Powerful and jealous Demanded loyalty People could

communicate with God

God was viewed to be actively involved in human affairs

In return for devotion to Yahweh, became his “chosen people”

Basis for Christianity and Islam