| Term | Definition |
|---|
| ahimsa | principle of nonviolence |
| ascetics | relates to Buddhism; people who practice self-denial to achieve an understanding of ultimately reality |
| bhajan | devotional song, hymn |
| bindi | dot, point on the forehead (painted-on or stick-on); focus on the context of a beauty spot |
| Brahmans | one of the varnas in the Hindu caste system; the priestly class (in charge of the religious ceremonies that were so important in Indian society) |
| caste system | a set of rigid social categories that determined not only a person's occupation but also and his/her position in society |
| Buddhism | religious doctrine initially appeared in northern India; became a rival of Hinduism; founded by Siddhartha Gautama (known as Buddha) |
| chamar | cobbler, leatherworker |
| devadasi | temple dancer |
| dharma | known as "divine law," this required all people to do their duty |
| gotra | local kin group whoe members trace descent through the male line to an ancestral figure |
| Harappa | major city in ancient India |
| Hinduism | religious doctrine of the Aryan people who settled in India after 1500 BC; evidence comes from the Vedas |
| karma | the force generated by a person's actions that determines how the person will be reborn in the next life |
| Kshatriyas | second level of the varnas in the Hindu caste system; Warriors |
| linga | a stone that symbolizes Hindu god Shiva (or Siva) |
| mahatma | great soul |
| mandala | a magical circle or set of concentric circles |
| Mohenjo-Daro | major city in ancient India (archaeologists referred to as the "City of the Dead") |
| monsoons | seasonal wind pattern in southern Asia; a primary feature to India's climate |
| mubarak | term meaning blessings |
| nirvana | when you have achieved the ultimate reality- the end of self and a reunion with the Great World Soul |
| rajas | India was a world of warring kingdoms...Aryan leaders; a term for princes |
| reincarnation | belief that the individual soul is reborn in a different form after death |
| Sanskrit | a writing system developed by the Aryans |
| Shudras (Sudras) | fourth level of the varnas in the Hindu caste system; this group made up the bulk of the Indian population (peasants..people who performed various forms of manual labor) |
| untouchables | lowest level of Indian society; not considered a real part of the caste system; often given degrading jobs; their life was extremely difficult |
| Vaisyas | third level of the varnas in the Hindu caste system; identifies merchants who engaged in commerce; commoners |
| varna | a basic subdivision of humanity in the Hindu caste system |
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