L14_04-Ancient India (South Asia): Tenets of Hinduism (Edited Version- Text & footnotes removed) Timeline: 2nd Millennium

BCE - Present FQ: How has Hinduism contributed longevity, stability, and hope to South Asias ancient culture? Main Idea: The Hindu faith is one of the oldest (or perhaps the oldest) organized faith in history. The social structure that developed in the Indian subcontinent is intimately intertwined with Hindu religious beliefs. The faith shows the marks of a culture that draws from different groups. It has adapted to and adopted from the many peoples that have traveled the busy routes traversing the mountain passes of Afghanistan and Pakistan. It is a model of stability and a source of hope for those who seek another chance to achieve eternal bliss. PO: SWBAT... Explain the mythical origins of the caste system and identify the four Varnas. Categorize the major occupations associated with the four Varnas and the Untouchables. Explain how Dharma, Karma, Samsara cycle, and Moksha are each interdependent elements of every Hindu's religious quest. Explain how its beliefs reflect a universe governed by cyclical time. Do Now: TBR "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again."How often are we presented with 'second chances'? I. Vocabulary Caste: A division within a societys social hierarchy. Placement into a societys caste can be determined by cultural, economic, and social values. II. The Hindu Caste System The origins of this social order have a mythical and historical basis. As conquerors, it can be assumed that the Aryans would subdue and subjugate the peoples they conquered. Any resulting social order would undoubtedly place Aryans and their descendants at the top, with the subjected and their descendants at the bottom. Given the age of this faith and the absence of records, this explanation is a theory. A clue, however, is visible in the word 'Varna'. This word implies 'color' and is also the word to describe the major divisions of the Hindu caste. The Aryans may have racially segregated the society based on skin color (Aryans = lighter, Dravidians = darker). A. Varnas: The four levels depicted in the social hierarchy are called 'Varnas'. Each Varna is divided into many sub-groupings called Jati. A Jati is an occupational classification. So, within each main division of the Caste System there are many groups of occupations that fall within it. For example, the Sudra Varna consists of the laborers. In that general grouping are many occupations that fall within the category of laborer. A factory laborer and an agricultural laborer would fall within this Varna. Keep in mind that all Jatis are ranked, even within the Varnas. Therefore, the factory laborer may be ranked higher or lower than the agricultural laborer. B. Purity of the Soul: Though there may have been originally a politically and racially motivated reason for the Caste System, it seems to have been totally replaced by this religious belief (based in part on the mythical origin). The lower in the hierarchy you are, the less pure your soul is. The lower your Jati is in your Varna, the less pure is your soul compared to others in your Varna. The occupation you have reflects the purity of your soul. The most polluted occupations are those that are considered most dirty or foul. Your duties are determined by the Jati within which you work. Your Jati will be the same as that of your parents. C. Samsara Cycle: Birth, life, marriage and death must be within your Jati. Despite its outward appearance, there is a degree of social mobility. This cycle is briefly explained as: 1. Dharma: The duties you must perform as member of a particular Jati. Your parents, who are also from this Jati, are charged with instructing you on those duties.

2. Karma: Your ultimate 'fate'. Whether that fate (Karma) is positive or negative depends on how well you attended to your Dharma. 3. Reincarnation: Or Transmigration of the Soul. After death, this is the means by which rebirth occurs. The soul transmigrates from one body (the deceased) to the next body (the soon to be born). 4. Moksha: Marks the end of the Samsara cycle. It marks the union of the soul with Brahman. This will occur only when all negative Karma has been erased by positive Karma.* A soul can, therefore, moves up and down the Caste depending on how it lived a previous life. Positive Karma will move the soul up through the Jatis and Varnas while negative Karma will produce the opposite effect. The next level beyond Brahmin would be Moksha while the level below Sudras is Harijan or Untouchability. Harijans are seen as being so impure that they are not even considered within the Caste System (they are true Outcasts). Should the soul migrate beyond untouchability, it would enter the realm of animals and plants.

*'Enlightenment' is the understanding of 'The Truth': 'The Truth' is seeing all things in oneself and oneself in all things
(unity of beings). Once this is known, a corollary can be added- violence against or towards anything is violence against oneself. Non-violence (Ahimsa) becomes an attribute of an enlightened person.

D. General Characteristics of the Caste System 1. Provides for a very stabile society, able to withstand traumatic changes.. 2. Jatis and Varnas act as social security nets. 3. The Samsara cycle provides a soul with numerous opportunities to get it right. 4. Social mobility is limited to the after-life. 5. The top ranks of the caste have a disproportionate share of wealth, status and opportunity. 6. The lower ranks of the caste have a disproportionate share of the povertystricken and disenfranchised. III. Modern Challenges Challenges are not new to any faith, regardless of their age. The 21st century has produced its own brand of religious dilemmas for Hinduism, Judaism, Christianity, & Islam. These dilemmas transcend cultural boundaries. Spiritual Freedom vs. Social Order Importance of Beliefs vs. Importance of Ritual Cultural Diffusion vs. Purity of the faith. IV. Summary Activity: Deities, Samsara Cycle, & Hindu Monotheism The Samsara Cycle in Nature/ Universe (The physical world) Computer Lab Activity
Curriculum Linkage Unit One: Ancient World- Civilizations & Religions (4000 BCE - 500 CE) Sections B1 a - e, E1 b

Materials/Sources: Refer to the course calendar for additional assignments and pertinent due dates. Mahabharata (incl. 'Bhagavad Gita') Perspectives on the Past Hindu Vision of Life- Lecture #1: By Prof. Dennis G. Dalton of Barnard College [Text: Presuppositions on Indian Philosophy By Karl Potter.]
Teacher Note: Here, as in any academic attempt to study beliefs and practices of peoples, the sources include scholarly work as well as philosophical/ religious texts. Presentation of any philosophical/ religious text is to facilitate study, acquire appreciation, and enliven discussion of the traditions that produced them. In no form, content or intent, are the materials presented to teach and/ or proselytize any belief system. No particular denomination, if applicable, is chosen over another. The basic tenets of the philosophy or faith as presented here are meant to transcend any deviations that currently separate the denominations.