RELIGST 2K03 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Indo-Gangetic Plain, Historical Vedic Religion, Middle Kingdoms Of India

• School: McMaster University
• Department: Religious Studies
• Course: RELIGST 2K03
• Professor: Joe Larose

Document Summary

Week 2 the south asian context and the life of the buddha. Week two goals to develop an understanding of the classical indian context in which buddhism developed to develop an understanding of the traditional biography of the buddha. Classical india: peoples, places and practices: 500 bce to c. 500 ce. A place of remarkable religious diversity with an already long history of religious change and development. A place where new religious ideas and practices are emerging. A place where vast amounts of literature of various genres is being produced. Precursors the classical period: vedic and brahmanic religion. Vedic religion, the sacrifice-centred religion of the migratory groups of people, calling themselves (cid:862) (cid:396)ya(cid:374)s,(cid:863) (cid:449)ho e(cid:374)te(cid:396)ed the i(cid:374)dia(cid:374) su(cid:271)(cid:272)o(cid:374)ti(cid:374)e(cid:374)t around 1700 bce: moved from central asia to the southeast, into the subcontinent. Brahmanic religion the sacrifice-centred religion that developed as these people settled the gangetic plain around 800 bce.