This document provides vocabulary notes on concepts from ancient India. It defines key terms related to Hinduism and Buddhism such as subcontinent, monsoon, plateau, Hinduism, reincarnation, Sanskrit, vedas, deities, caste system, karma, dharma, vegetarian, Ganges River, philosophy, Buddhism, Buddha, monk, enlightenment, Nirvana, meditation, and Ashoka the Great. It describes beliefs such as karma and reincarnation in Hinduism and the goal of enlightenment and severing attachment in Buddhism. The caste system separated ancient Indian society by status and the Ganges River was considered holy.

1. Ancient India
Vocabulary Notes

2. Subcontinent
large landmass that is a distinct part of
a continent
India is considered a subcontinent of
Asia.

3. monsoon
strong winds usually
with heavy rain

4. plateau
raised land that is flatter than a mountain

5. Hinduism
main religion from India that believes in karma
and reincarnation
polytheist religion

6. reincarnation
rebirth in a new body (after death)

7. Sanskrit
Ancient Indian writing
ancient Indian religious texts were
written in sanskrit

8. vedas
Set of writings important to Hinduism

9. deities
Another name for gods
Famous Hindu deities include: Brahma,
Vishnu, and Shiva

10. Status
position or role in society

11. Caste System
A system from ancient India that separated
people by status and each person had a role
the system originates from Hinduism

12. karma
the idea that your
actions have
consequences
If you do good things,
then good things will
happen to you.
If you do bad things,
then bad things will
happen to you.

13. Dharma
means to follow rules to live a good and
honorable life

14. vegetarian
a person who doesn’t eat meat
Hindus are vegetarians because they value
all living things. Many Buddhists are too.
vegetariano

15. Ganges River
major river in India that Hindus consider to be holy
Río Ganges

16. philosophy
a set of beliefs a person follows

17. Buddhism
focuses on meditation to end suffering and
achieve enlightenment
religion that branched off from Hinduism

18. Buddha
“The Buddha” means “Enlightened One”
The first Buddha was an Indian Prince who wanted to end
human suffering
His name was Siddhartha Gautama
Buda

19. Edict
Law or rule

20. monk
a man who devotes his life to his religion
monje

21. enlightenment
overcoming suffering and desire
ilustración

22. Nirvana
The final stage and
lasting peace that
buddhists reach when
they are fully
enlightened
typically, it means they
have severed all
attachment to material
items

23. meditation
sitting quietly and clearing your mind of thoughts
meditación

24. Ashoka the Great
ruler during the Mauryan Empire who became a
peaceful Buddhist after watching so many
people die in war
He spent his later years traveling all over India
and nearby countries spreading Buddhism. He
thought it would be a way toward unity among
nations.