high winds that sometimes bring torrential rains

mark of people's property and to stamp goods; they usually show pictures of humans or animals

religious hymns and stories used by the Aryans

India's division of people according to birth, wealth, and/or occupation

main four social divisions of the Aryan social structure

largest religion in India today based on the Vedic texts

process of rebirth

effects that good or bad actions have on a person's soul

set of spiritual duties that everyone has to fulfill; guidelines for living a moral life

liberation from life's worries and cycle of rebirth

going without food for a period of time

focusing of the mind on spiritual ideas

the enlightened one; Siddhartha Gautama

a religion based on the teachings of Buddha

state of perfect peace; the ultimate goal in Buddhism

people who spread religion around the world

river which is holy to people of Hindu faith; they take a pilgrimage each year

country located on the continent of Asia