Megha Majumder Global HWJ, 12/2/10 Indo-Europeans and Hinduism and Buddhism Develop Section 1 Main Ideas A.

How did environmental features in Anatolia help the Hittites advance technologically? Environmental features in Anatolia helped the Hittites advance technologically because the iron ore and wood they needed to make weapons, tools, and charcoal, were easy to get in the mountainous Anatolia. Therefore, iron technology continued to improve, and knowledge of it spread. B. How were the more physical forms of work viewed by Aryans? More physical forms of work were considered to be low-class, disgraceful, and impure, viewed by Aryans. Such forms include butchers, gravediggers, and collectors of trash. These people were known demeaningly as untouchables, since even their touch threatened purity in others. The untouchables had almost no rights in the society. In different parts of India they were treated in different ways. In some regions the attitude towards the untouchables was harsh and strict. In other regions it was less strict. In regions where the attitude was less strict the untouchables were seen as polluting people and their dwellings were at a distance from the settlements of the four Varna communities. The untouchables were not allowed to touch people from the four Varnas. They were not allowed to enter houses of the higher Varnas. They were not allowed to enter the temples. They were not allowed to use the same wells used by the Varnas. In public occasions they were compelled to sit at a distance from the four Varnas. In regions where the attitude towards the untouchables were more severe, not only touching them was seen polluting, but also even a contact with their shadow was seen as polluting. Page 65, 5-6 5. Where do some historians think the Aryans lived before they arrived in India? Some historians think the Aryans lived somewhere between the Caspian and Aral seas, before they arrived in India. 6. What important contributions did the Aryans make to the culture and way of life in India in terms of religion, literature, and roles in society? Aryans made contributions to the culture and way of life in India in terms of religion, literature, and roles in society such as the caste system, which ruled India for more than 3,000 years; the Aryan deities of the Vedas made its way into the Hindu religion, and it combined with other people of India (Dasyu) to result in Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism; the Vedas, Upunishads, and Mahabharata are important literatures with Aryan subjects. Page 84, 9 and 11 9. What are three reasons that historians give to explain why Indo-Europeans migrated? Three reasons that historians give to explain why Indo-Europeans migrated include that IndoEuropeans moved away from each other; their language broke up into a number of tongues; they also migrated for better crops, new, more fertile farmland. 11. How were the Aryans different from the non-Aryans (dasas) that they encountered when migrating to India? the Aryans were different from the non-Aryans (dasas) that they encountered when migrating to India in that they were taller, lighter-skinned, spoke a different language, and counted their wealth in cows (they were nomadic), whereas the dasas lived in walled communities.

Section 2 Hinduism and Buddhism Develop A. How might the lack of a single founder result in Hinduism changing more over time than other religions? The lack of a single founder results in Hinduism changing more over time than other religions because there are no set rules of the religion. It is subject to change because it is not based solely upon the thoughts, experiences, and principles of a single person; it adapts with the times. B. How far might the Jain respect for life extend? The Jain's respect for life is immense: they do not and will not harm a single creature. To make sure of this, they wear masks to keep themselves from breathing on insects, and carry around brushes to sweep little ants off their paths so they are not harmed. They carry with them doctrines of nonviolence, and often enter trade and commerce, which do not harm any creatures. C. In what ways are Buddhism and Hinduism similar? Buddhism and Hinduism are similar in that Both believe in reincarnation; Both believe there are many different paths to enlightenment; Both believe that our suffering is caused by too much attachment to materialistic things and people in the this world; Both believe in an ultimate spiritual reality beyond the what is this world; Both practice meditation and other forms of yoga; and both believe that eventually all living spirits will achieve enlightenment and freedom, even if it takes many incarnations. Page 71, 2-8 2. What are the terms for enlightenment in each religion? Buddhism (only) Buddha, meaning the enlightened one, the Four Noble Truths, which were the four main ideas he had come to understand in his enlightenment, the Eightfold Path, which was a guide to seeking enlightenment, and nirvana, which is why enlightenment is sought for in the first place. Hinduism (only) Moksha, meaning perfect understanding and a release from life in this world, karma, which are good or bad deeds following from one incarnation to another, and dharma, following one's duties diligently according to their caste system, which was believed to help achieve enlightenment (along with good karma). Both Nirvana and moksha are very similar, as they both involve a perfect state of understanding and a break from the chain of reincarnations. 3. What are the Four Noble Truths of Buddhism? The Four Noble Truths of Buddhism is 1) Life is filled with suffering and sorrow. 2) The cause of all suffering is people's selfish desire for the temporary pleasures of this world. 3) The way to end all suffering is to end all desires. 4) The way to overcome such desires and attain enlightenment is to follow the Eightfold Path, which is called the Middle Way between desires and self-denial. 4. How has Hinduism influenced social structure in India? The main way that Hinduism influenced the Indian society is by the Caste System. The Caste System is the social classes of India, and are still accepted by some in India. Whether they believed in the Caste System or not, everyone was in a certain class according to their job. There were four castes, or four varnas: the Brahmins (priests), Kshatriyas (rulers and warriors),

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Vaishyas (landowners and traders), and the Shudras (laborers and peasants). How did Buddhism spread? Buddhism spread as The Buddha preached his first sermon to 5 people who came with him on his wanderings, in which he laid out the Four Noble Truths. These 5 people admitted to the sangha, or Buddhist religious order. The early followers included laborers and craftspeople, and areas where the caste system was not so prominent. The religion followed the Silk Roads up to China. From China, it went to Korea and Japan. How might the belief in reincarnation provide a form of social control? The belief in reincarnation might provide a form of social control because one of the goals of being reincarnated is to give yourself promotions, bonus points in a way. You want to get to the next (better) level when you come back to Earth, and by not following the religious beliefs and the rules to live by, you slip (you fell down in the caste system, but the religion has changed since then). With this, they are able to have some form of social control, if the mass believes this and practices this then it is a tool. It justifies many things, for one. And, in a way, it abolishes fear of death, so people may be more adventurous, or willing to risk themselves and others for what they see, or what they've been told is an honorable cause. How are the Vedas and the Upanishads similar? The Vedas and the Upanishads are similar in that the Upanishads are regarded as part of the Vedas and as such form part of the Hindu scriptures. They primarily discuss philosophy, meditation, and the nature of God. They are both scriptures in Hinduism. Look at the image of Vishnu on Page 67. Why might blue represent infinity? Blue might represent infinity because it is the color of the sky as we see it, which is a traditional symbol for infinity.

Page 84, 12-13 12. In Hinduism, how are the ideas of karma, reincarnation, and moksha connected? In Hinduism, the ideas of karma, reincarnation, and moksha are connected as Reincarnation is the idea that your consciousness will be reborn, on this earth, and karma is the idea that you will be reborn (reincarnated), according to your behavior. Karma determines your status when reborn. Negative karma, or wicked acts or thoughts, will lead to a lower rebirth, but positive acts/thoughts lead to higher rebirth, like a human to an Enlightened Being. Which leads to moksha, or the cycle of reincarnation. One's greatest ambition is to escape the cycle of reincarnation, to become an Enlightened Being or to be one with the One. 13. Why were lower castes more likely to convert to Buddhism? Lower castes were more likely to convert to Buddhism because of Buddhism's rejection of the caste system, which is the pattern of social classes in Hinduism.