Hinduism and Hinduism and Caste SystemCaste System

What is Hinduism?

One of the oldest religions of humanityIndus River Valley Civilization >5000 years agoThe religion of the Indian peopleTolerance and diversity: "Truth is one, paths are many"Many deities but a single, impersonal Ultimate Reality

What do Hindus believe?

One impersonal Ultimate Reality – BrahmanManifest as many personal deitiesTrue essence of life – Atman, the soul, is Brahman trapped in matter (“That art thou”)Reincarnation – atman is continually born into this world lifetime after lifetime (Samsara)Karma – spiritual impurity due to actions keeps us bound to this world (good and bad)

How does Hinduism directlife in this world?Respect for all life – vegetarian

Cows are especially sacred

Caste System – station for that lifetime

Brahmins (priests, teachers, judges)Kshatriyas (warriors)Vaisyas (farmers and merchants)Sudras (laborers)Untouchables (unwanted, dirty jobs)

Who do Hindus worship? – the major gods of the Hindu Pantheon

BrahmaBrahma, the creator god

Who do Hindus worship? – the major gods of the Hindu PantheonVishnuVishnu, the preserver god

Who do Hindus worship? – the major gods of the Hindu PantheonShiva, god of constructive destruction(the transformer)

What about the goddesses?

Saraswati, goddess of wisdom, consort ofBrahma

What about the goddesses?

Lakshmi, goddess of good fortune, consortof Vishnu

What about the goddesses?

Parvati, divine mother, wife ofShiva

All these deities are but

Manifest forms (attributes

and functions) of theimpersonal Brahman

All these deities are but

Manifest forms (attributes

and functions) of theimpersonal Brahman

And we too are manifest forms of God!“We are not human beings

having spiritual experiences;We are spiritual beings

having a human experience!”