Ancient India/Hinduism/Buddhism

Terms in this set (36)

subcontinent
a large and distinctive landmass that is a distinct part of some continent
monsoon
A strong wind that brings heavy rain to southern Asia in the summer
subsistence farming
Farming that provides only enough for the needs of a family or a village
Mohenjo-Daro
Indus Valley city laid out in a grid pattern. Had a complex irrigation and sewer system.
Aryans
an Indo-European people who, about 1500 B.C., began to migrate into the Indian subcontinent
Vedas
Ancient Sanskrit writings that are the earliest sacred texts of Hinduism.
Sanskrit
The sacred language of ancient India; came originally from the Aryans.
caste
a lifelong social group/class into which into which a Hindu is born
brahmins
Priests and scholars in the Indian caste system
sudras
caste that made up most of the Indian population; most were peasants and manual laborers; they had limited rights in society
untouchables
also called pariahs, lowest level of the Indian society; not considered a part of the caste system; did degrading jobs
Chandragupta Maurya
the founder of the Maurya Empire, brought together most of the Indian subcontinent. Considered the first unifier of India and the first genuine emperor of India.
Ashoka
Chandragupta's grandson; gained control of all but India's southern tip; He converted to Buddhism and broadcast his precepts on inscribed stones and pillars
Gupta Empire (The Golden Age)
astronomy, mathematics, literature, art, poetry, architecture, medicine and more were advanced
Vishnu
A Hindu god considered the Preserver of the world
Brahman
In Hinduism, the single supreme force or reality of the universe
Shiva
an important Hindu deity who in the trinity of gods was the Destroyer
karma
the belief that every deed, mental or physical, in this life affects a person's soul or future lives
nirvana
The Buddhist belief of the extinction of desire and individual consciousness, also spiritual enlightenment
reincarnation
in Hinduism, the belief that soul is reborn in various forms
stupa
a dome-shaped structure that serves as a Buddhist shrine
Four Noble Truths
As taught by the Buddha, the four basic beliefs that form the foundation of Buddhism.
Wanting or Desire
What Buddha believed was the cause of suffering?
The Vedas and The Epics
Sacred texts are important to Hinduism?
samsara
the Hindu cycle of death and rebirth
Ganges River
One of the most holy natural features of the Indian landscape for Hindus.
guru
a Hindu or Buddhist religious leader and spiritual teacher
cow
one of the most sacred animals for the Hindus
dharma
the moral law combined with spiritual discipline that guides one's life; the order of the universe
enlightenment
a state of perfect wisdom in which one understands basic truths about the universe
Eight Fold Path
Eight steps to end suffering according to Buddhist tradition.
Buddha
A name, meaning the "enlightened one", used for Siddhartha Gautama.
Bodhi Tree
The tree under which Sidartha Gautama achieved enlightenment.
rajah
a Hindu prince or king in India
meditation
practice of quiet reflection to clear the mind and find inner peace
MAKE SURE YOU KNOW WHAT
BUDDHA MEANS ...
" The Enlightened One"
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