HIST 101 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Arthashastra, Gautama Buddha, Harappa
Document Summary
India has very distinct features that come through its religious ground of caste. You would be given specific roles and duties. It"s a collection of ideas and traditions that were adapted over time. The indus valley civilization (harappa) disappeared ca 1800-1500 bce. The only text found for the culture, were religious texts. Vedas, knowledge. they are thought to be the internal wisdom, included prayers, wisdom, the truth from the early people. Social and political unrest in seventh and sixth centuries bce. Karma: work, action, every action has inevitable effects. There should be a specific way of living. Hearing to dharma would be a way to get a better rebirth. Moksha: liberation. get rid of all desires to become transcendent. Jains: extreme asceticism to remove self and soul from bonds of material world and karmic cycles. Some were monks, and believed in compassion and non-injuring. Left family and wife to go on 6-year travel.
