Roxanne C.Matthew S.Leah D.Erik L.Jessie B.

Group 1

Intro to Hinduism

http://anilm365.files.wordpress.com/2007/09/radha-krishna-cp1.jpg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zb2JCouESyk

Caste System• System of Classes in Indian society• Banned recently but still affects Indian lifestyle• Brahmins, the highest class, normally consist of

priests and other knowledgeable beings• Kshatriyas, below brahmins, normally are the authority

figures• Vaishyas, below kshatriyas, normally consist of

merchants and traders• Shudras, the lowest official class, normally consist of

laborers and artisans• Untouchables are not a class but are outcasts in

society and are undesired and not wanted

Brahmans

Kshatriyas

Vaishyas

Sudras

http://www.hknet.org.nz/krishna-colage.jpg

The Untouchables

Hindu Caste System

Aryans• First Civilization • Nomadic warriors and herders• Originated around 1500 B.C.• From Central Asia• Had set of religious beliefs, a developed language, and advanced literature

• Eventually praised by Nazi Germany• Developed original varnas

http://images.exoticindiaart.com/panels/baby_krishna_wb39.jpg

Varnas• Levels of the caste system• Derived from sanskrit “to enclose”• Each part of the body of divirity Purusha • Lowest being shudras at the feet, thighs being vaishyas, arms being kshatriyas, and head being brahmins

• Same beliefs as in caste system

http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/magazine/07sep02/Krishna

http://teachers.eusd.k12.ca.us/mguerena/castewebquest/images/blueman.jpg

Jati• Term used to denote communities and sub-

communities in India• Typically has association with traditional job

function• Although religious beliefs or linguistic

groupings define some jatis, everyone fits into a varna

• Surname reflects community/ jati association • Ex. Gandhi= green grocer

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The three life affirming goals• Dharma- practice of virtue, living of an ethical and ritually correct life

• Varies depending on one’s caste and jati membership• Primary virtue- fullfill duties to caste • Artha- working for and achieving success in both wealth and power

• Important to be successful businessman and to be active civically • Kama- pleasure, aesthic pleasue of all kinds

• Art, music, dance, drama, literature, poetry• Done within realm of dharma

The one life negating goal• Moksha- striving for release from life

• Turn back on life and strive to lie without thing that make up life• Turn from three goals, become an ascetic(hermit) and spend time in

contemplation• Directed towards overcoming maya (fogs human perception of reality

and toward realizing true nature of the universe and one’s place in it)

http://www.atmajyoti.org/images/krishna_arjuna_2.jpg