Ancient India and Hinduism/Buddhism Concepts

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Caste System

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A rigid social structure in which classes are determined by heredity

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Aryans

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Indo-European people from the Caucus area who crossed into India around 1500 BC

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Monsoons

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Seasonal wind patterns that cause rain in the summer and dry weather in the winter

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Sub-continent

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A large land mass that is a sub-division of a continent

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Mahabharata

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A great Indian epic poem, reflecting the struggles of the Aryans as they moved south into India.

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Dharma

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In Hindu belief, a person's religious and moral duties, right way of living

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Karma

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The belief that actions in this life, whether good or bad, will decide your place in the next life.

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Vedas

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Ancient Sanskrit writings brought by the Aryans that are the earliest sacred texts of Hinduism.

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Upanishads

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A group of writings sacred in Hinduism that explored the Vedas and the religious issues that they raised.

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Moksha

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Becoming liberated from the cycle of reincarnation in Hinduism.