Hinduism: Spider Web Organizer

Caste SystemHindu Gods

Religious Beliefs

History/Origin

By accommodating all classes, all intellects, and all personalities, Hinduism became more than just a religion; it established a framework for the uniquely Indian society, in which people of widely varying backgrounds, beliefs, social standing, and education go their own separate ways- together.

Hinduism

Hinduism

• Originated in India• Evolved from native and

Aryan polytheistic beliefs• Based on myths and

teachings • Monotheistic: Belief in

many gods and goddesses (over 330 million)

• Belief in reincarnation• Connection to the Caste

System (Social Classes)• Primarily in India

What is Hinduism?

• One of the oldest religions of humanity• The religion of the Indian people• Gave birth to Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism• Tolerance and diversity: "Truth is one, paths are

many"• Many deities but a single, impersonal Ultimate

Reality• A philosophy and a way of life – focused both on

this world and beyond

How did Hinduism begin?

• No particular founder• Indus River Valley Civilization >5000 years ago• Aryans enter 4000 - 3500 years ago• Vedic Tradition 3500 – 2500 years ago:

• rituals and many gods (polytheism)• sacred texts (Vedas); (“truth”) – myths, rituals,

chants• Social classes called the caste system

• Vedic Tradition develops into Hinduism

What do Hindus believe?

• One impersonal Ultimate Reality – Brahman• Brahman manifests as many personal deities• True essence of life – The soul (atman), is

Brahman trapped in matter• Reincarnation – The soul is continually born

into this world lifetime after lifetime • Karma – spiritual impurity due to actions keeps

us bound to this world (good and bad)• Ultimate goal of life – to release the soul and

reunite with the divine, becoming as one with Brahman

• Mythical belief in the sacred cow. It provides milk (nourishment); the skin provides shelter.

• Hindus do not eat beef.• Respect for all life – vegetarian• Hinduism is a polytheistic religion. There are three

major gods, Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.

• Brahma - supreme being – creator of the universe (not worshipped directly by the masses)

• Vishnu – the sustainer, the preserver – protects humanity

• Shiva – the destroyer – destroys the universe so that the cycle may begin again

What do Hindus believe?

Each god is associated with a sacred animal. The cow, tiger, elephant, and monkey are among the most sacred.

Ganga

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Brahmanthe Universal God

Brahma, the creator

Vishnu, the preserver

Shiva, the destroyer

Who do Hindus worship?

Brahma, the creator god

Brahma is the spirit, God, and the intelligence that is in every living being.

The creator, teaches art, music

Note: There are very few pictures and temples of Brahma

Who do Hindus worship?

Vishnu, the preserver god

Also known as the universal godHe preserves all new creations.

Luck, fortune, abundance

Vishnu, another form of Krishna (preserver of humans)

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Who do Hindus worship?

Shiva, god of constructive destruction(the transformer) represents evolution.

Shiva destroys so new life can be created.

Shown either dancing or meditating (Lord of the Dance). Shiva’s dance symbolizes the rhythm of existence: the never ending process of creation and destruction; birth, life, death, rebirth.

Shiva(n) & and his wife Parvathi (god of death)

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All these deities are but

manifested forms (attributes

and functions) of theimpersonal Brahma

All these deities are but

manifested forms (attributes

and functions) of theimpersonal Brahma

And we too are manifest forms of God

“We are not human beingshaving spiritual experiences;

We are spiritual beingshaving a human experience!”

“That art Thou”

Ancient and Classical India

Hinduism• About 80% of Indians are Hindu.• Hinduism is a way of life and a set of beliefs.• No one single Holy Book – many books called the Vedas• Hindus believe the universe has been created and

destroyed many times• Varna: (social class) or caste system; Varna means color• Dharma: the duties of a person according to their varna

(social class)• According to Hindu belief, every individual must live

according or his or her own dharma, or moral duty.• All good actions are rewarded and bad deeds punished

according to the law of karma. “Follow your dharma – achieve good karma”

• Your karma in this life determines your form in the next life (higher or lower Varna)

• Reincarnation – cycle of life and rebirth• Goal: Nirvana: to escape this cycle and be

reunited with Brahman. • Effects of Hinduism on Society:

~ reinforced social hierarchy

~ promoted high ethical standards

~ respect for all living things

~ promotes a vegetarian diet and honors the sacred cow

Hinduism

Social Classes (Varnas)

Brahmans: priests and scholars

Kshatriyas: rulers and warriors

Vaisyas: merchant class: common people, merchants, traders

Sudras: worker class: unskilled laborers, farmers, servants

Pariahs: untouchables, slaves, sick, unclean (harijans)

• Castes determined by the previous life; a person is born into a caste and cannot move into another.

• Caste system is a rigid social system that allows for NO social change

• Occupation, marriage, education, even diet is determined by hereditary caste

• Promoted social harmony – everyone followed rules of behavior

• Pariahs are not part of the system and are called untouchables because they are considered dirty. Gandhi called these people, harijans

Four “stations” of life (caste)

Social Classes (Varnas)Brahmans: priests and scholars

Kshatriyas: rulers and warriors

Vaisyas: merchant class: common people, merchants, traders

Sudras: worker class: unskilled laborers, farmers, servants

Pariahs: untouchables, slaves, sick, unclean (harijans)

The Indian constitution of 1950 outlawed untouchability and gave the group full citizenship; however, discrimination against untouchables has not been eliminated.

Through the years the caste system has weakened somewhat, but continues to be a strong influence in Indian life. Some social distinctions have been abandoned, especially in the cities. Many educated Hindus of different castes intermix and work with one another. Formerly, they would have dined with and would have married only members of their own caste.

Four “stations” of life (caste)

A Reflection after the simulation

Note:Note: Please write the question for questions 1- Please write the question for questions 1-

44..

1. What do you think are the strong points of the Hindu religion?

2. What are the weak points?

3. Why do you think the caste system is officially outlawed?

4. How does Hinduism impact and shape the culture of India?

Cornell Video Notes: The India Files On your notebook paper, create the following

Cornell NotesCornell Notes graphic organizer: Empires

Colonialism

Salt March

Independence

Topic Notes

From Colonialism to Independence

ColonialismCharacteristic

sExamples

1. Why?

2. Able to enforce?

3. Effects?

Independence

Independence

How?

When?

How?

When?

How?

When?

British

Colony

of India

Early Society in South Asia• Indus Valley Civilization centered around twin

fortified cities: Harappa & Mohenjo-daro, declined > 2000 BCE

• Aryans – Indo-European Migrants from the Caspian Sea area arrived - 2000 BCE

~ pastoral nomads, light-skinned, warrior culture

~ clashed with dark-skinned Dravidians (sedentary, agricultural)

~ established a society that was male dominated, dev. Sanskrit language, est. local kingdoms, dev. a social class system, & Hinduism