Lesson Objectives

• Define Key Terms

• Appreciate the evolution of HIndu thought as it relates to its colonial past

• Understand the importance of the Vedas to Hindu thought

• Understand the relationship between Brahman and the Avatars

• Appreciate the relationship between Maya, Samsara, and Moksha

• Appreciate the uniqueness of the Bhakti path from other Hindu paths

• Appreciate the influence that Hindu thought has had on America

Key Terms

Vedas

Upanishads

Brahman

Avatar

Maya

Samsara

Karma

Moksha

Bhakti Yoga

Caste System

Puja

The Hindus of India

Vedic Period (1750 - 600 BCE)

• Aryan warriors from the north bring the Sanskrit language into India

• Brahmanism begins. The Vedas are recorded in written form.

Śramaṇa Period (600 - 200 BCE)

• Concept of Samsara. Decline of Brahmanism.

• Upanishads written. Rise of the Buddha & Jainism.

Classical Hindu Period (200 BCE - 1200 CE)

• Bhagavad Gita written. Mahabarata & Ramanyana written.

• Bhakti Hinduism develops in response to Buddhism

Medieval Period (1200 - 1525 CE)

• Bhakti Yoga moves from abstract Brahman to more accessible Avatars

• The six major systems of Hindu Philosophy are codified

Islamic Mughal Period (1526 - 1857 CE)

• Muslim leaders call non–Muslim Indians by the exonym "Hindus"

British Raj Period (1858 - 1947)

• Hindu Nationalism. "Hinduism" conceptualized as a religion.

• 1947: India wins their independence (cf. Gandhi) from Britain