Monday, January 18, 2010

Homework for class

In the Indus Valley, the general belief was polytheism.
Today, we will be talking about the different belief systems in the Indus Valley. Namely, Hinduism, Buddhism, Bahaism, Sikhism, Jainism, and Zoroastrianism.
The sacred text of Hinduism is the Vedas (also the Bhagavad Gita). This book *tries* to explain Hinduism. It is the closest they could get to their a Holy Book. (The Green Mile is a horror movie, with many instances in it taken straight from the Vedas.) The Vedas is filled with all sorts of weird, creepy, and horrible things of Hinduism.
The Hindus had an elite class called the Brahmanas. These were considered the top-ranking guys. We will talk more on this subject later.
Hindus believe that matter is enternal, therefore, you never really die. When you "die" you are reincarnated into either a higher being or a lower being, depending on karma and how good you were in the previous life.
The Hindus eventually created a caste system. The Brahmanas were at the top, and at the bottom were the untouchables. You do not move out of that catagory. They had 18 different levels. This was eventually eradicated by law.

Gurus: these people wrote down the disscusions between themselves and the gods. The Hindu's poetry were these discussions. The Gurus were the Hindu's holy men, or priests. The gurus typically came from the Brahmana class.
In 599 BC there was a rebellion against the caste system. Vardhamana Mahavir, the leader of this rebellion, actually came from the Brahman (Brahmin) class, he was a guru, and a teacher. He created Jainism, which centers more on the lower classes. He felt that the lower classes were too low and that they were treated unfairly. He also believed that priests and sacrifices and even God were unnecessary, since this world had an inbuilt, ruthless moral order which automatically rewarded goodness and punished evil. Salvation was therefore attained by destroying the evil of one's heart through doing good.
Everything (gurus, Brahman class, weather, world, etc.) doesn't make sense and is fickle. But they are in charge, and if something doesn't make any sense, it's probably correct or right.
Buddhism: there are no gods. Buddah was a great teacher. They were atheistic. They believed that we have spirits...spirits in a physical world that we must overcome.
539 BC: Darius (king) conquered the Indus Valley and connects it to the Persian world. But he puts up a garrison and leaves.
329 BC: Alexander the Great came into the Valley, but his men are tired. He leaves shortly after he came.
These people brought impact and knowledge of the outside world to this secluded valley.
250 BC-500 AD: at this time, there was an emergance of imperial power. Mass Culture: imposed on everyone and everyone accepts it rather passively. Pop culture, on the other hand, everybody is contributing to culture. Our country is a mass culture.
500 AD: at this time, there were a series of invasions. The Huns came with Attila. He imposed tyrannical rule. This worked easily because of the mass culture. After that came the Arabs and Islamists.
1288 AD: Maroco Polo stops in on his way to China and describes the Indus Valley to them.
There was no advance to the Indus Valley. This was mainly due to the caste system. No progression. For 1,000 years, they remained just above the Stone Age.
1498 AD: efforts to reach the Indian (and Chinese?) culture through trading. This didn't bring much success.
During this time all the way through till 1971, and even now, the Indus Valley has not changed much with lifestyle. Life is religion. The way you live your life is completly based on what your religion is. You cannot help but do this.
Hinduism - mass culture...polytheistic...reincarnation (for everyone)...gurus...vedas and the caste system.
Buddhism - gods are no different spiritually than us...they erase all distinction between gods and people...they were a materialistic cult...they believed in spiritual suicide...nothingness is the goal...to reach nothing is their aim.
Jainism - they are Buddhists with a trapdoor...they deny themselves food, water, health, etc. When they do this, they are trying to get their children and grandchildren etc. to get higher up in the caste system.
Zoroastrianism - Hindu-like in Persia...dualistic monotheistic: two forces in one god, one good (Creator Ahura Mazda) and one bad (no name, but called asura meaning demon). They believed that stringent morality will overcome the god.
Sikhism - materialistic pantheists...they use the gods to advance...materialistic joy...they look to the future.
Bahaism - there is one god...one undiversal god. We may call him idfferent names, but let's just all get along together.
Now, I would like to point out the common strands between all these different religions. Firstly, they all believe that time doesn't matter and that there is no need for progress. And secondly, they say that people don't matter.
I hope this has helped you understand these different beliefs!

Friday, January 8, 2010

I haven't written for a while cuz I have been busy!! Yesterday, I had piano and then we went to the ball rehearshal! That was a lot of fun. We didn't have a lot of people show up cuz of the roads, but we still had fun. Tonight is the ball and I am very very excited for that. HPA was cancelled cuz of the bad roads. So I have all day to prepare for the ball. I got my dress yesterday and I love it. Let's see...the Timmis family will be there, and the McAtees, the Stines, the Davis family, and many others!!! I can't wait. We started school this week, and that was an adventure. I am still struggling with Algebra, but am doing better if I keep reviewing. I don't have any other school, except Etymology and Ancient History. Those are easy. Ancient History has no homework...and Etymology is my favorite so that is easy!!! Music is coming along well. Viola is rather fun. I auditioned for Blue Lake on Monday and got a scholarship. Piano lesson yesterday went very well and I got a new and very hard piece. But I am glad; it gives me something to work on. Tomorrow is S & E practice with Ian, Colin and Ellen. That'll be good and fun. And we hope on going ice. skating also. We're also going on an "unplanned" coffee date with Bekka and Laura!!! And Anna is home, so we're hoping that she'll be there too! I have been tired lately...not a lot of sleep. Idk, I guess I'm just restless. Hoping tonight will be fun though. Hope you all have a great day and God bless you.

~Sarah

Saturday, January 2, 2010

New Year!

Wow! This year has been so exciting! So much has happened. But over all, I think that this has been a very educational year. I have learned a lot, and I hope I have matured. Tigger died, and we got new kittens for Christmas. I am still in Sr. Orchestra, and I continue to do piano. We still have Titan, but we are trying to get a good home for him. I have had such a wonderful year with my friends. They continue to be a HUGE support group for me! Erin, Madison, and Tori especially!!! At the beginning of the year, in March, I did Sound of Music with Rachel and Jon. That was by far the best week of my life. At the end of July, I did the HPA summer camp and had a blast acting, singing, and dancing with my friends!!! On July 31, I turned 14! That was fun and new! In the fall, I auditioned for HSMA and for HPA. I got a Bird Girl in HPA performing Seussical!!! We meet every Friday and practice. I have all my lines memorized!! I cannot wait for April when we will perform it...especially since I have a lead role this year and will have a mike!!! That will be fun!!!!!! I hope you all had a wonderful 2009 and I look forward to seeing you all in 2010! Happy New Year!