| A | B |
|---|
| Hinduism | Oldest religion founded in India, it features many different versions of the same god or universal spirit |
| Vedas | The sacred texts of Hinduism, tell of history of Religion |
| Caste System | A rigid social structure in India, in which society is dicided into four seperate classes and there is no social mobility |
| Dharma | this was the duty in life that Hindus were supposed to follow if they wanted to accumulate good Karma. |
| Kharma | According to Hindus this was accumulated by following one's Dharma and would determine what one's next life would be. |
| Reincarnation | the belief in a cycle of life where one's spirit is reborn when they die into another form |
| The Four Noble Truths | The basic principles or philosophy of Buddhism. |
| The Eightfold Path | Part of the Four Noble Truths, this was what Buddhists were supposed to follow if they wanted to end their desires and reach nirvana. |
| The Gupta Empire | It was during this time period that India entered its Golden Age and made great contributions in art, literature and education. |
| The Aryans | An early group that dominated the Indus River valley established dominance, and our credited with creating the Vedas and contributing to the establishment of the caste system |
| Siddhartha Guatama | Founder of Buddhism, He was the Buddha or the "enlightened" one |
| Nirvana | According to Buddhists this was the state where you would eliminate your desires and end suffering. |
| Asoka | Leader in India who sent out missionaries to try and spread Buddhism to other parts of Asia |
| Buddhism | Major religion that developed in India but spread to Asia and focused on ending suffering by ending one's desires. |
| The Indus River | early river valley for the civilizations in India |
| Mauryan Empire | 1st empire to unite India |
| Contributions of the Maurya | Better Roads, Hospitals, Veterinary clinics |
| Contributions of the Gupta | concept of Zero, Cotton Textiles, Concept of Round Earth, Poetry |
| Chandra Gupta Maurya | founder of Mauryan Empire |
| Upanishads | Sacred text of Hinduism, teach lessons of religion |
| Brahman | The Universal spirit of Hinduism that takes many forms |
| Vishnu | The preserver god of hindusim |
| Shiva | the destroyer/rejuvenator god of Hindusim |
| Ganesha | the elephant headed god of overcoming obstacles |
