HUM 001A Lecture Notes - Lecture 9: Upanishads, Maya (Religion), Creator Deity
Document Summary
People brought their religions and technology to india. Aryans bring sanskrit and the caste system. Caste system: bhramin, kshatriya, viasya, sudra, untouchables. Varua: controls/maintains natural and social order, cosmic and civil justice. Natural discontent because people don"t understand their true nature. 3 main gods: easy to explain things in natural world. Vishnu : preserver, orderer, often appears in human form, has many avatars. Atman is brahman ( you are not an individual, you are part of the world spirit). Every time someone is reborn, they are born in maya. Moves people up and down levels of samsara. Good life = good karma = move up samsara. Bad life = bad karma = move down samsara. Dharma: law and order of the universe. First religion to move rapidly to other countries. Born into privilege, expected to be part of noble clash sheltered. Tries to be like brahmin monks, didn"t work out.
