STUDY GUIDE
PRINCIPLES OF HINDUISM
LESSON 1
• The belief that the soul/
self is reborn after death
• After numerous rebirths,
the soul will achieve its
final goal of union with
Brahman.
• A person’s actions
determine the person’s
future condition in this
life and subsequent lives.
• Stresses the importance
of ethical actions
• Defines duty and right
behavior
• Establishes that which is
right, proper, and orderly
• Means “order, truth,
duty, law”
Reincarnation
Karma
Dharma
PRINCIPLES OF BUDDHISM
LESSON 2
Based on the Four Noble Truths, which describe a path
to enlightenment
Buddhism began
in northern India in the
sixth or fifth century, b.c.
Its founder was
Siddhārtha Gautama,
known as the Buddha, or
“Enlightened One”.
Teaches the Middle, or Eightfold, Path, which explains how to be
released from desire and suffering
Teaches that all people can reach nirvana, or the ultimate reality,
no matter what their position in life
Accepts Hindu ideas of reincarnation and karma, but rejects
Hindu ideas about caste, the need for priests, and many gods
ANCIENT INDIAN EMPIRES
LESSON 3
MAURYAN EMPIRE
KUSHĀN EMPIRE
GUPTA EMPIRE
Founded by Candragupta Maurya
who ruled from 324 b.c. to 301 b.c.
Founded by nomadic warriors in the
mid-first century b.c.
Created by Candra Gupta and his
allies in 320
Divided into provinces ruled by
governors appointed by the king
The Silk Road, a major trade route to
China, ran through the empire,
making it wealthy.
Samudra Gupta, Candra Gupta’s son,
expanded the empire.
Aśoka, who practiced Buddhist
ideals, was considered to be the
greatest ruler in the history of India.
Expanded trade as sailors learned to
navigate the Indian Ocean
Engaged in trade with China, Southeast
Asia, and the Mediterranean
Began to decline after
Aśoka’s death
Persian invaders caused its decline in the
third century a.d.
Nomadic Huns caused the collapse of
the empire in the seventh century.