Review Power Point (Some details)

• Subcontinent • 3 Major Geographic Zones • Far North – Himalaya

Mountains – Snow melts and forms

rivers

• South – Deccan Plateau – high plateau that gets less rain

• Heavy Rains • Monsoons

Geography of India

Monsoons – Western Ghats

May 28th 2010

August 28th 2010

• People NEEDED monsoons to bring water needed for civilization

• Rains flooded rivers and deposited rich silt farmers needed to grow crops

• Monsoon rains too heavy = devastation – crops, homes, and lives can be lost

• Monsoon rains too late = drought – cant grow crops

Positive and Negative Effects of Monsoons

• Small communities

• Their migrations took place over several centuries.

• Eventually lead to Hinduism

• Hinduism became the dominant religion in India

Enter the Aryans

People may be reincarnated at a higher or lower level of existence depending on their karma from their present life.

People may be reborn as plants or animals or they may be elevated to a higher caste as a human.

MOKSHA IS REACHED THROUGH MANY LIFETIMES

Hinduism - Reincarnation

Mahayana Buddhism Most popular in China

Buddhism “for the masses.” Seek guidance from wise beings Goal: Not just individual escape from

the wheel, but the salvation of all humanity through self-sacrifice of those enlightened few.