The Vedas

1. The Vedas • 1200 BCE-600 BCE. • written in SANSKRIT. • Hindu core of beliefs: • hymns and poems. • religious prayers. • magical spells. • lists of the gods and goddesses. Rig Veda oldest work.

2. Varna Social Hierarchy of Ancient India Brahmins priests, scholars, and teachers Kshatriyas Noblers, ruler or warrior Vaishyas ARTISANS FARMERS- agriculture and cattle raising Shudras Commoners, peasants, and Laborers servants to the other three castes Pariahs [Harijan]  Untouchables

3. Overview of The Caste System of Ancient India UPPER CLASS BRAHMAN: Included both priests, teachers and Scholars KSHATRIYAS: Included both rulers and warriors-ARMY MIDDLE CLASS VAISYAS: Included merchants, traders, farmers LOWER CLASS SUDRAS: Consisted of Commoners, peasants, and Laborers servants to the other three castes OUTCASTES: Also known as the Untouchables

4. QUIZ # 4 INSTRUCTIONS: IF WE WERE TO COMPARE THE CASTE SYSTEM OF INDIA TO OUR OWN HIERARCHY OF SOCIAL CLASSES, WHAT GROUP(S) WOULD BE UPPER CLASS, MIDDLE CLASS, AND LOWER CLASS .TEAR EACH GROUP AND PLACE UNDER THE SOCIAL CLASS WHICH THEY CORRESPOND. STAPLES ONCE THEY ARE IN PLACE. The Caste System of Ancient India UPPER CLASS MIDDLE CLASS LOWER CLASS SUDRAS: Consisted of peasants bound to the land Commoners, Laborers OUTCASTES: Also known as the Untouchables. DO JOBS NO ONE WANTS TO DO KSHATRIYAS: Included both rulers and warriors-ARMY VAISYAS: Included Artists, merchants, traders, farmers BRAHMAN: Included both priests,teachers and Scholars

5. In India, the word varna, or "color," denotes • the fourfold division of Indian society. • In Hindu religious texts, the dharma—the law, or duty—of • each varna is described. It was thought that this dharma was • an inherited, or inborn, quality. Consequently, people • thought that if intermarriages took place, there would be • much confusion as to the dharma of the next generation of • children. As a result of such concerns, marriage between • different castes was strictly prohibited. The practice of • marrying only a person of "one's own kind" is called • endogamyand is still a central rule in many Hindu • communities.

6. In approximately 1500 BC a group of people known as the Aryans invaded India. The Aryans • were a nomadic people and brought many new ideas to India, including their religion. Their • religious beliefs were derived from the Vedas, a collection of their sacred writings of knowledge. • The caste system began in India after the Aryans invaded and established their own rules for • governing the society. The Aryans prohibited marriages between their own people and people of • the cultures they conquered. • During the Epic Age four classes of people emerged in India. They included the subgroups • outlined in the chart of the caste system. The Untouchables were considered such a low group • that they were never mentioned or acknowledged within the society. • Each caste had a specific place in society. They socialized, ate, married, worked and • worshipped within their own caste. They would never consider marrying or working outside their • caste. • Over time each of the five subgroups, or castes became subdivided into over 3,000 castes. • The Indians believed that they could attain a higher caste position by leading a good life. This • belief was derived from the Hindu religious teachings of reincarnation. • They also believed that they could be reincarnated into the body of an insect if they did not lead a • good life in their current position.

7. http://friesian.com/caste.htm

8. Brahmins Included both priests,teachersand Scholars The brahman caste is assigned the highest status of the four varnas but also must live by the strictest rules. In their very name, brahmans are identified with the supreme being, and so are expected to uphold this high honor by their conduct. In addition, they must observe many detailed rules concerning ritual purity in their personal lives. They must avoid contact with dirt, for instance, and may not eat foods such as meat that are considered to be polluted. Because of the strict rules that the brahmans observe, they cannot perform many of the tasks necessary to everyday life. They cannot obtain their own food, for instance, or use violence to defend themselves. Thus, they must depend on other castes to perform these essential services. In terms of occupation, the first duty of a brahman is to: 1-Study the Vedas, the ancient scriptures of India. 2-After ten or more years of study, a brahman may become a priest of a temple, or he may instruct boys of the twice-born castes in Sanskrit and the Vedas. If there is no employment available as a priest or teacher, a brahman may enter certain other occupations. He must be careful, however, to observe all of the rules and rituals of his caste.

9. Kshatriyas The kshatriya caste includes soldiers, generals, and kings. Their traditional role is to defend the society from invaders and robbers, and they are expected to be both brave and high-minded. The kshatriyas must study the ancient Hindu scriptures under the guidance of a Brahman teacher and are expected to follow many of the same rules of ritual purity that the brahman caste observes.

10. Vaishyas The job specialties of the vaishya caste are agriculture and cattle raising. The vaishyas also carry on trading activities; for example, they bring farm products to market and lend money to keep various enterprises going. Like the brahmans and the kshatriyas, the vaishyas are a twice-born caste.

11. Shudras In ancient law, the sudras were given only one occupation: to serve the members of the twice-born castes. As servants to the other three castes, the sudras performed many of the tasks that involve "pollution," such as agricultural labor, leather working, disposing of garbage, and laundering. In time, however, many sudras became wealthy farmers or artisans in their own right. When a sudrajati, or subcaste, improved its status in this way, it was also able to adopt many of the rituals and habits of the twice-born castes. Menial tasks then became the dharma of the "out-casts" of society—the untouchables, or harijans.

12. Pariahs [Harijan]  Untouchables Inevitably, there were certain people who failed to live up to their caste dharma or who violated the rules concerning marriage between castes. Such people and their children were considered outcasts from Hindu society. They had to live apart from other castes and were given the jobs that no one else wanted to perform. Because of their contact with things considered unclean or polluted, the outcasts were believed to be deeply tainted. They came to be thought of as "untouchable" because people believed that their touch—or even the sight of them—would compromise a brahman's purity. The untouchables were not admitted into Hindu temples and instead formed religious sects of their own.

13. Attaining a Higher Caste • What follows is descriptions of how, according to the Mahabharata arguably the most important text of Ancient India, a caste member can attain a higher caste level. From the Mahabharata, AnusasanaParvaSection CXLIIIFor Sudra to rise up to a VaisyaIf the Sudra desires to be a Vaisya, he should abstain from meat of animals not slain in sacrifices. He should be truthful in speech, and free from pride and arrogance. He should rise superior to all pairs of opposites (such as heat and cold, joy and sorrow etc.), he should be observant of the duties of peace and tranquillity.He should adore the deities in sacrifices, attend with devotion to the study and recitation of the Vedas, and become pure in body and mind. He should keep his senses under subjection, honour the Brahmanas, and seek the welfare of all the orders.Leading the domestic mode of life and eating only twice a day at the prescribed hours he should gratify his hunger with only such food as remains after the needs have been satisfied of all the members of his family with dependants and guests. He should be abstemious in food, and act without being impelled by the desire of reward. He should be free from egotism. He should adore the deities in Agnihotra (Sacred Fire Ceremony) and pour libations according to the ordinance. Observing the duties of hospitality towards all persons, he should, as already said, eat the food that remains after serving all others for whom it has been cooked. He should, according to the ordinance laid down, worship the three fires. For Vaisya to rise to a KshatriyaIf a Vaisya,( after becoming a Kshatriya, wishing to become a Brahmana), goes through the usual purificatory rites, becomes invested with the sacred thread, and betakes himself to the observance of vows, he should make presents, adore the deities in great sacrifices with plentiful Dakshinas (gifts), study the Vedas. He should interfere for dispelling the sorrows of the distressed, and should always righteously cherish and protect those subjects that own his sway. He should be truthful, and do all acts that have truth in them and seek happiness in conduct like this. He should induce men to do righteous deeds. . . . He should always observe fasts, keep his soul under control, devote himself to the study of the Vedas, and be pure in body and mind.He should pursue the aggregate of Three (Virtue, Wealth and Pleasure), and be always cheerful. He should never desire anything from motives of gain or pleasure. He should worship the Pitris (ancestors) and gods and guests. In his own house, he should live the life of a mendicant. He should duly adore the deities in his Agnihotra, morning, noon and evening every day, by pouring libations agreeably to the ordinance. For Kshatriya to rise to a BrahmanEndued with knowledge and science, purified from all dross, and fully conversant with the Vedas, a pious Kshatriya, by his own acts, becomes a Brahmana. It is with the aid of these acts, that a person who has sprung from a degraded order, viz., a Sudra, may become a Brahmana refined of all stains and possessed of Vedic lore. For Brahmana to lower to a SudraOne that is Brahmana, when he becomes wicked in conduct and observes no distinction in respect of food, falls away from the status of a Brahmanhood and becomes a Sudra. Even a Sudra that has purified his soul by pure deeds and that has subjugated all his senses, deserves to be waited upon and served with reverence as a Brahmana.. This has been said by the Self-born Brahman Himself. When a pious nature and pious deeds are noticeable in even a Sudra, he should be held superior to a person of the three regenerate classes. Neither birth, nor the purificatory rites, nor learning, nor offspring, can be regarded as grounds for conferring upon one the regenerate status. Verily conduct is the only ground.

14. GLOSSARY HINDUISM IN ANCIENT INDIA 2500 BC - 535 AD

15. GLOSSARY HINDUISM IN ANCIENT INDIA ca. 2500 BC - 535 AD • Epic Age: A period of time from 1000 to 500 BC • Aryans: A group of people from Central Asia who migrated into North India around 1200 BC • They were responsible for the Vedas. • Caste System: A form of social organization. • Monism: The belief that God and human beings are one. • Reincarnation: From the Sanskrit word samsura, meaning cycle of births and deaths. One's • next birth is determined by the karma of previous births. • Dharma: The fulfillment of one's moral duty in this life so that the soul can make progress • toward deliverance from punishment in the next life. • Karma: Deed or action. The law of Hinduism which states that whatever actions one does, • those actions will bear fruits either in this life or in some future life. • Hinduism: Religion of the Hindus based originally on the Vedas. • Vedas: Large body of oral literature, preserved orally and in texts, sacred to the Hindus. • Contains the prayers, chants, and sacrificial details, incantations and other musings and • meditations of the Aryan people. • Upanishads: Body of the sacred literature composed between 800 and 400 BC Several of the • most important, influential, and subtle concepts of Hinduism are articulated in the Upanishads

16. GLOSSARY HINDUISM IN ANCIENT INDIA ca. 2500 BC - 535 AD • Ashrama-The stages of life described in the Code of Manu. While moving through the stages a person acquires the knowledge and experience necessary for enlightenment. The four stages are study (of the Vedas), householding (having children), forest-dwelling (retreat to a place where a religious life can be followed) and renouncing (meditate and fast while traveling in preparation for enlightenment). • Avatars -The appearance on Earth of a god, usually Vishnu, in human or animal form. There are ten avatars (incarnations) linked to Vishnu including Krishna and Rama. The avatars appear on Earth during evil times to help restore order and righteousness. • Avatars -The appearance on Earth of a god, usually Vishnu, in human or animal form. There are ten avatars (incarnations) linked to Vishnu including Krishna and Rama. The avatars appear on Earth during evil times to help restore order and righteousness. • Bhakti- The devotion to and worship of God in the pursuit of enlightenment. This concept of devotion was promoted in the Bhagavad-Gita. • Bhakti- The devotion to and worship of God in the pursuit of enlightenment. This concept of devotion was promoted in the Bhagavad-Gita. • Brahma One of the Hindu Trinity of gods with Vishnu and Shiva. Brahma is the balance between Shiva (destructive and vengeful) and Vishnu (good and merciful). • Brahman-The search for knowledge and understanding. The ultimate and absolute reality that Hindus seek to reach through enlightenment. This process is different for each person as they seek their own path to perfect clarity and Moksha.  • Caste- The station in life or level in society which one is born into. A group within society with has different rights, privileges and duties from other groups. There are many castes prevalent in India. The highest of these is the Brahmans (the priestly caste), the Kshatriysa (the warriors), the Vaisyas (the merchants) and the Shudras (servants). Those not belonging to a caste were social outcasts known as Pariahs or “Untouchables.” • Code of Manu An ancient group of laws and rules for behavior in ancient India. The code describes what is expected of people within their station in life. The code provides support for the caste system and promotes social order. It describes four goals of humankind called Purusarthas, which are: moksha (enlightenment), dharma (duty), artha (wealth) and kama (pleasure).

17. Dharma Sanskrit for “duty.” The fulfillment of one’s duty to family, community and station in life (caste). The ultimate balance of all areas of one’s life: religious, social and familial. The divine order of the universe and of one’s own life. It is the belief of Dharma that requires a person to keep a promise at all costs. • Enlightenment The highest challenge and goal of existence. It is such a difficult feat that it may take several lifetimes to achieve. There are different ways to achieve this state through meditation, study, virtuous living and religious devotion.

18. GLOSSARY HINDUISM IN ANCIENT • INDIA ca. 2500 BC - 535 AD • Guru- A teacher who provides spiritual and philosophical instruction in a close and special relationship with the student. A guru is thought to possess knowledge that is too complex to be written.Hinduism Religious philosophy based on cosmic wholeness, The self, nature and society are only a temporary reality. These must be left behind as the individual develops through different lifetimes (reincarnates), eventually experiencing enlightenment and a state of bliss (Moksha.) Guidelines are provided for this process, including rules of social behavior between members of society and methods to elevate awareness in the Vedas, Hinduism embraces a wide variety of beliefs and attitudes. Karma The belief that a person experiences the consequences of his/her own actions. The ongoing influence of past actions on the future. This carries over from past lives into present and future incarnations. The saying “You reap what you sow” is similar to the Hindu concept of Karma.Krishna An avatar (human form of a young hero and lover) of the god Vishnu. One of the Hindu Trinity of gods with Shiva and Brahma. Krishna revealed that dedicated action, intellectual effort and spiritual devotion were the paths to truth and enlightenment. Kshatriyas -(kshat–tre-yas) The warrior caste and noblemen. This caste is second below the Brahmins. The future rulers of India were expected to come from this caste.Maya One of the key insights found in the Vedas is the idea that the world as we see it with our senses is a world of illusion or maya. Things as they appear are misleading, unreliable and not permanent. The belief of maya is the reason things go wrong in the world – the world, as we see it, cannot be relied upon. Solving this problem of maya (illusion) can be done through enlightenment and the merging of the individual with Brahman to reach Moksha.Mokshais the ultimate goal of all human life. A release from the cycle of Samsara (reincarnation). The state of bliss achieved by living a life of religious devotion and moral integrity without any interest in worldly things. It might be many life times before moksha is achieved through the process of enlightenment.Pariahs The workers not admitted into the four main castes, outcasts. Also referred to as “untouchables.”PurusarthasThe four goals of humans which are considered good to seek. They are moksha (enlightenment), dharma (duty), artha (wealth and purpose) and kama (pleasure).Rama An avatar (reincarnation) of the god Vishnu. He took the human form of a prince and was a hero.

19. Samsara The belief that the cycle of life, death and rebirth define our existence. This cycle continues and is also called reincarnation. The previous “life” determines the following one. An individual never dies; they are transformed from one life to another. A prince in one life might be a snake in the next. What a person transforms to in the next life depends upon the individuals’ karma (good or bad actions or deeds) in previous lives.Sanskrit The sacred Hindu language developed by the Aryans of the Indus Valley.Shiva One of the Hindu Trinity of gods with Vishnu and Brahma. Shiva is believed to be vengeful and destructive.Sudras Also Shudras, (soo-dras) The fourth level of the caste system comprised of the servants. The Code of Manu suggests that a Sudra cannot achieve enlightenment before being reincarnated into a higher caste. The Bhagavid-Gita teaches that people of all castes may seek enlightenment and do not need to wait for the next life.Upanishads A group of writings which were added to the Vedas. The focus of these writings is more on the nature of existence and consciousness and less on ceremony and ritual as described in the Vedas. They also teach that solutions to problems are not as important as rising above the problem and refusing to dwell on it. This provided support for the caste system.Vaisyas Also Vaishyas. (vise-yas) Third in the caste system under the Brahmans and Kshatriyas. This caste contained the merchants, skilled workers and farmers who provided all of India with food and products necessary for living. Varna The Hindu caste system divided the society by castes based on occupation. This division used the human body as a metaphor with the mouth as the Brahmin (priest), the arms as the Kshatriyas (warriors, noblemen), the thighs as the Vaishyas (skilled workers and farmers) and the feet as the Shudras (servants). The word varna also means color, which might refer to racial differences between the white Aryans from the north, and the brown native population they invaded.Vedas Considered the world’s oldest writings that may date as early as 2000 BCE. They include hymns, descriptions of rituals (ceremonies) and magical and philosophical writings. This last portion contains the Vedic writings known as the Upanishads. For centuries the Vedas were memorized and recited until they were translated into Sanskrit and written down. Many of the ideas in the Vedas contradict each other and are interpreted differently. Traditionally, only males from the top three castes could read the Vedas, others had to wait until they were reincarnated into a higher class to have access to the writings.Vishnu One of the Hindu Trinity of gods with Shiva and Brahma. Vishnu was worshipped as the greatest god. His role is to maintain a balance between good and evil powers in the universe. There are ten avatars (reincarnations) of Vishnu as he appeared on Earth in times of evil to help restore balance. His most famous avatars are as Krishna and Rama.

20. GLOSSARY HINDUISM IN ANCIENT INDIA ca. 2500 BC - 535 AD Guru A teacher who provides spiritual and philosophical instruction in a close and special relationship with the student. A guru is thought to possess knowledge that is too complex to be written.Hinduism Religious philosophy based on cosmic wholeness, The self, nature and society are only a temporary reality. These must be left behind as the individual develops through different lifetimes (reincarnates), eventually experiencing enlightenment and a state of bliss (Moksha.) Guidelines are provided for this process, including rules of social behavior between members of society and methods to elevate awareness in the Vedas, Hinduism embraces a wide variety of beliefs and attitudes. Karma The belief that a person experiences the consequences of his/her own actions. The ongoing influence of past actions on the future. This carries over from past lives into present and future incarnations. The saying “You reap what you sow” is similar to the Hindu concept of Karma.Krishna An avatar (human form of a young hero and lover) of the god Vishnu. One of the Hindu Trinity of gods with Shiva and Brahma. Krishna revealed that dedicated action, intellectual effort and spiritual devotion were the paths to truth and enlightenment. Kshatriyas (kshat–tre-yas) The warrior caste and noblemen. This caste is second below the Brahmins. The future rulers of India were expected to come from this caste.Maya One of the key insights found in the Vedas is the idea that the world as we see it with our senses is a world of illusion or maya. Things as they appear are misleading, unreliable and not permanent. The belief of maya is the reason things go wrong in the world – the world, as we see it, cannot be relied upon. Solving this problem of maya (illusion) can be done through enlightenment and the merging of the individual with Brahman to reach Moksha.Moksha-oksha is the ultimate goal of all human life. A release from the cycle of Samsara (reincarnation). The state of bliss achieved by living a life of religious devotion and moral integrity without any interest in worldly things. It might be many life times before moksha is achieved through the process of enlightenment.Pariahs -The workers not admitted into the four main castes, outcasts. Also referred to as “untouchables.”Purusarthas- The four goals of humans which are considered good to seek. They are moksha (enlightenment), dharma (duty), artha (wealth and purpose) and kama (pleasure).Rama -An avatar (reincarnation) of the god Vishnu. He took the human form of a prince and was a hero.Samsara- The belief that the cycle of life, death and rebirth define our existence. This cycle continues and is also called reincarnation. The previous “life” determines the following one. An individual never dies; they are transformed from one life to another. A prince in one life might be a snake in the next. What a person transforms to in the next life depends upon the individuals’ karma (good or bad actions or deeds) in previous lives.Sanskrit -The sacred Hindu language developed by the Aryans of the Indus Valley.Shiva -One of the Hindu Trinity of gods with Vishnu and Brahma. Shiva is believed to be vengeful and destructive.Sudras Also Shudras, (soo-dras) The fourth level of the caste system comprised of the servants. The Code of Manu suggests that a Sudra cannot achieve enlightenment before being reincarnated into a higher caste. The Bhagavid-Gita teaches that people of all castes may seek enlightenment and do not need to wait for the next life.Upanishads- A group of writings which were added to the Vedas. The focus of these writings is more on the nature of existence and consciousness and less on ceremony and ritual as described in the Vedas. They also teach that solutions to problems are not as important as rising above the problem and refusing to dwell on it. This provided support for the caste system.Vaisyas Also Vaishyas. (vise-yas) Third in the caste system under the Brahmans and Kshatriyas. This caste contained the merchants, skilled workers and farmers who provided all of India with food and products necessary for living. Varna The Hindu caste system divided the society by castes based on occupation. This division used the human body as a metaphor with the mouth as the Brahmin (priest), the arms as the Kshatriyas (warriors, noblemen), the thighs as the Vaishyas (skilled workers and farmers) and the feet as the Shudras (servants). The word varna also means color, which might refer to racial differences between the white Aryans from the north, and the brown native population they invaded.Vedas Considered the world’s oldest writings that may date as early as 2000 BCE. They include hymns, descriptions of rituals (ceremonies) and magical and philosophical writings. This last portion contains the Vedic writings known as the Upanishads. For centuries the Vedas were memorized and recited until they were translated into Sanskrit and written down. Many of the ideas in the Vedas contradict each other and are interpreted differently. Traditionally, only males from the top three castes could read the Vedas, others had to wait until they were reincarnated into a higher class to have access to the writings.Vishnu One of the Hindu Trinity of gods with Shiva and Brahma. Vishnu was worshipped as the greatest god. His role is to maintain a balance between good and evil powers in the universe. There are ten avatars (reincarnations) of Vishnu as he appeared on Earth in times of evil to help restore balance. His most famous avatars are as Krishna and Rama.

21. HANDOUT #4: ASSIGNMENT SHEET NAME PART I. Answer the following questions: 1. In the caste system which group of people fit into the Upper Class society? 2. What professions do the members of the upper class hold? 3. What is the name of the middle class? 4. What professions do the middle class work in? 5. How could one enter a higher caste? 6. If one's karma is bad what might happen? 7. The vedas is a collection of work from what group of people? 8. At what time in history did the caste system dominate the society of India? 9. From what two sources is the Hindu religion based? 10. What rule did the Aryans have about marriage?

22. The Caste System Brahmins WHO IS… Kshatriyas • The mouth? • The arms? • The legs? • The feet? Vaishyas Shudras What is aJATI?

23. BRAHMAN

24. KSHATRIYAS

25. SUDRA

26. VAISYA

27. UNTOUCHABLE

28. Is the most important person in your group. Agree with anything s/he says. Do anything s/he tells you to. This is the wisest person in your group. Because s/he is so intelligent, any answer s/he gives is acceptable. _____________________________________ Is the most important person in your group. Ask this group to protect you from the other groups in the room who may try to invade your group and steal your answers. Also, as this group to keep the Untouchables out of your group.__________________________ Is in an important caste, but, not nearly as important as the others already mentioned. Tell this group to record the answers on your assignment sheet. This is his job. The Vaisya may try to give you answers, however, they will be wrong, so laugh off anything s/he says. THE SUDRAS have little importance to your group. Ignore anything the Sudras says. When the Brahman has finished expounding his profound knowledge and the Vaisya has recorded it, tell the Sudra to hand in the assignment sheet. Otherwise pretend s/he doesn't exist. THE UNTOUCHABLES should be completely ignored. Do not talk to them nor should you acknowledge their presence in any way. If they come near you move away quickly so that you are not contaminated.

29. Experiencing India's Caste System Game • http://www.quia.com/rr/10103.html

30. The Vedic Age The foundations for Hinduism were established!