Ancient Indian Religious
Systems
Hinduism, Buddhism and
Jainism
History of South Asia
Ancient India
Prof. Subho Basu
Hinduism
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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
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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
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The gradual
Question/Order 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
History of South Asia
Ancient India
Prof. Subho Basu
Hinduism
Question/Order
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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.
History of South Asia
Ancient India
Prof. Subho Basu
Upanishad and origins of
Buddhism
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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
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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
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The meaning of
Buddha –
enlightened.
Life of BuddhaGoutam Sidhartha.
Protracted meditation
and the realization of
the way to salvation.
History of South Asia
Ancient India
Prof. Subho Basu
Buddha and Buddhism
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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
Four Boundless
States
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suffering
D) The middle way, or
the noble eightfoldHistory of South Asia
Ancient India
path.
Prof. Subho Basu
The middle way, or the noble
eightfold path
Noble Eightfold Path
View.
Thought.
Speech.
Action.
Livelihood
Effort.
Mindfulness.
Contemplation
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Right
Right
Right
Right
Right
Right
Right
Right
History of South Asia
Ancient India
Prof. Subho Basu
Buddha and Buddhism
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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
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Dhamma
Sangha
Bodhisattvas
Mahayana
Hinayana
History of South Asia
Ancient India
Prof. Subho Basu
Jainism
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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
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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
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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.
History of South Asia
Ancient India
Prof. Subho Basu