Outline Classical Hinduism

I. Later Hinduism (post-Vedic) 500 bce - 500 ce

A. New Texts

1. Epics - Baghavid Gita, Mahaburrhata

2. Varnashrama dharma – caste system according to your dharma, place or duty.

a) Brahmins: Aryans, light skinned, priests, nobles.

b) Kshatriyas - warriors

c) Vaishyas - merchants, small businessmen, artisan

d) Shudras - day laborers, those who handle animal carcasses (These will be the untouchables, but not yet)

B. Brahmanical synthesis (merging with post-Vedic)

C. Temples

D. Theism

E. 3 ways to Salvation

F. 6 schools of enlightenment

1. sankhya - atheistic, dualism between spirit and matter

2. yoga - dualism to reach one-ness with Brahman, emphasizes discipline between mind-body (reinforces duality)

3. mimansa - examination of Vedas to avoid rebirth

4. vaisheshika - 9 eternal real elements

5. nyaya - atheistic, reality = world, logical analysis

6. vedanta - emphasus on Uphanishads and Brahman salvation