Vedic India

I. Stage One: Early Vedic Age, 1500-1000 BCEII. Stage Two: Later Vedic Age, 1000-500 BCEIII. Stage Three: Hinduism & Early Buddhism,

after 500 BCE

IDs: Brahmans, karma, Mahavira, Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha), d. 483 BCE

Argument

The Vedic religion provided a united identity for people in north India. It began as a tribal faith which emphasized sacrifice and evolved into an ethical religion - Hinduism – around 500 BCE.

Indus River Civilization (3500-2000 BCE)

IndiaPakistanBangladesh

Himalaya Mtns.Punjab

2000-1600 BCE: Crisis & collapse of Indus River Culture

Vedic Nomads Invade, ca. 1500 BCE

• Indo-European• Vedic peoples

(Aryans)• Dravidians

Vedic Age, 1500-500 BCE

I. Stage 1: Early Vedic Age, 1500-1000 BCE

A. HistoryVedic People brought

• Horses• Chariots• Iron tools & weapons

Settled Ganges River Valley

• Pastoral agricultural• Villages & no cities

B. Caste (varna) in early Vedic Age

brahmankshatriyasvaisyasShudras

C. Religion in early Vedic Age

• Brahmans• Vedas• Sanskrit• Rig Veda, ca. 1500 BCE• Indra

Emphasis on Sacrifice

• Proper rituals• Sacrifices to gods• Cosmic order• Brahmans

II. Stage 2: Late Vedic Age (1000-500 BCE)

A. HistoryMany small statesRajas

Growth of towns

B. Caste System Develops

Jatis/sub-castesoutcastes/

untouchablespurity

C. New religious ideas from late Vedic Age

• karma• transmigration of souls

(reincarnation)• dharma

Philosophy & Written Texts

Upanishads (700 BCE)Brahmanatman

III. Stage 3: Hinduism“Spiritual Age”: 6th -4th c. BCE

A. Mahavira JainismAsceticismNon-violence

B. Dissatisfaction with Brahman leadership: Popular texts

• Mahabharata (written down 200 BCE)

• Bhagavad Gita• Krishna• Arjuna

C. Early Buddhism

Siddhartha Gautama (c. 563 – 483 BCE)

the Buddha (the Enlightened One)

GangesBodhi tree (bo)

Four Truths

1.Life is full of suffering.2.Suffering is caused by desires.3.The only way to rise above suffering is to

renounce desire.4.One can only do this by following Noble

Eightfold Path.

Goals

rid self of desire & the illusion of separate identity

reach nirvana (contentment and extinction)

By following Noble Eightfold Path

The Buddha’s Footprints

Limestone carving on stupa, India

1st c. BCE

Sangha (Order)

• monks• nuns

The Three Jewels“I go for refuge to

the Buddha.I go for refuge to

the Doctrine (dharma).

I go for refuge to the Order (sangha).”

D. Religious Changes in South Asia (in Hinduism)

Emergence of Popular Cults

• Shiva• Vishnu• Krishna

Stage One1500 – 1000 BCEEarly Vedic Religion

Stage Two(1000 BCE – 600 BCE)

History: Tribal organization, migration into north India, settlement, domination by Brahmins & kshatriya

Text: Rig Veda

Religion: Brahmins (priests), sacrifice, caste, obedience

Human Needs: Identity (caste)Security

History: Many small states governed by kshatriya; growth of towns

Text: Upanishads

Religion: elaboration of caste system, karma, reincarnation, dharma

Human Needs:IdentitySecurityAnswers

Stage Three(600 BCE – 500 BCE)Hinduism & Buddhism

History: Dissatisfaction, towns, tradeTexts: Mahabharata, RamayanaReligion: Mahavira & non-violence; Buddha & 4 Noble Truths

Human Needs:Answers Personal Connection

Development of Vedic Religion into Hinduism