Hinduism*Oldest organized religion in the world*Hindu: a person that practices the religion*no founder *based on traditions

* Atman (spirit or soul of a person) = Brahman (supreme spirit)The goal of life is to realize that your atman is the same asBrahman and thereby reach moksha, or liberation. This isdone through meditation.

*Reincarnation- A person dies, then lives again, until they finally reach moksha

*Caste SystemA.Brahmins: Teachers and priests.B.Kshatriyas: Warriors, nobles, and kings.C.Vaishyas: Farmers, merchants, and businessmen.D.Shudras: Servants and laborers.E.Untouchables: Polluted laborers (trash collectors)

*Karma

Beliefs

*Henotheistic: They recognize a single deity, and view other Gods and Goddesses as manifestations or aspects of that supreme God. (polytheistic)

*Places of worship: in the home, in a temple, and/or at a street-side shrine

*Cultural Hearth: Originated in South Asia, (India) around 2500 B.C.E.

*HEI: Animals and plants, mountains and rivers, all form part of the earth, and many are worshipped for the noble qualities they possess.

* Language: Hindi

*Holy Texts: Vedas, Upanishads, and the epics the Mahabharata and Ramayana.

*Holidays: The festival of Kumbha Mela, when millions of Hindus gather at the confluence of the Ganges and Jumna rivers takes place once every twelve years.

*Festival of Ganesh Charurti

Holy Foods*The concept of ahimsa (non- violence and respect for life) prevents a Hindu from causing harm to any creature, and therefore, many Hindus are vegetarian.