History of South Asia Ancient India Prof. Subho Basu

Ancient Indian Religious Systems

Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism

History of South Asia Ancient India Prof. Subho Basu

Hinduism

The meaning of the term Hindu.

Vedic rituals and the origin of Hindu religious system.

Synthesis of Vedic Aryan practices and non Aryan local cults.

History of South Asia Ancient India Prof. Subho Basu

4. Hinduism

Aryan Household keeping sacred hearth.

Elaborate ritualistic celebration of the sacrifices to pacify Gods and Goddesses.

The new concept of hell and heaven.

History of South Asia Ancient India Prof. Subho Basu

Hinduism

The gradual evolution of the notion of Karma or action and the theory of life cycle or rebirth.

The notion of cyclical time

A)Satya B) Treta C)Dwapar D) Kali

                          

Question/Order

History of South Asia Ancient India Prof. Subho Basu

Hinduism

1. Rising powers of Brahmans or Priests.

2. Growing rigidity of caste system.

3. Institutionalized religion as an expression of more sedentary society and organized state power.

                          

Question/Order

History of South Asia Ancient India Prof. Subho Basu

Upanishad and origins of Buddhism

The idea of cosmic soul (Bramha) and individual soul (atman).

Liberation from endless birth cycle through meditation and renunciation of life.

History of South Asia Ancient India Prof. Subho Basu

Ideal life for an ancient Person

Childhood Bramhacharya or period

of learning Garhasthya or period of

Household life Banaprastha

Renouncing life for meditation in forest

Sanayas_ renouncing life.

           

  

History of South Asia Ancient India Prof. Subho Basu

Buddha and Buddhism

The meaning of Buddha – enlightened.

Life of Buddha-Goutam Sidhartha.

Protracted meditation and the realization of the way to salvation.

History of South Asia Ancient India Prof. Subho Basu

Buddha and Buddhism

Sermon of the turning of wheel.

Four Noble Truths A) The existence of

impermanence. B) The arising of suffering

because of craving. C) The cessation of

suffering D) The middle way, or

the noble eightfold path.

  Four Boundless States

                                                               

History of South Asia Ancient India Prof. Subho Basu

The middle way, or the noble eightfold path

Noble Eightfold Path Right View. Right Thought. Right Speech. Right Action. Right Livelihood Right Effort. Right Mindfulness. Right Contemplation

History of South Asia Ancient India Prof. Subho Basu

Buddha and Buddhism

Preaching in the language of common people-Pali

Excoriation of religious rituals.

Opposition to the rigidity of Caste system.

Support of wealthy trading castes

Low caste dasas and candalas.

History of South Asia Ancient India Prof. Subho Basu

Buddha and Buddhism

Dhamma Sangha Bodhisattvas Mahayana Hinayana

History of South Asia Ancient India Prof. Subho Basu

Jainism

Life of Mahavira. The path of salvation

through austere ascetic life.

Monasteries as the source of organization structure of Jainism.

Rejection of caste system.

History of South Asia Ancient India Prof. Subho Basu

Jainism

Support of businessmen.

Connection between monks and laity

Continuous living tradition.

Extreme non violence.

Digambaras and Shetambaras.

History of South Asia Ancient India Prof. Subho Basu

Salvation of women

Restrictions on ordination of women.

Near impossibility of women to attain salvation.

Jainism recognizes diverse forms of sexuality and argues the possibility of direct salvation of women.