Timeline

2800-2000 BCE Indus Valley civilization began 1200-900 BCE Earliest Holy Scriptures

compiled 900-600 BCE Brahmanical religion

develops, emphasizing ritual and social obligation

800-300 BCE More Holy Scriptures are written, which include the ideas of reincarnation and karma as well as the rise of devotional movements

500 BCE Buddhism and Jainism founded in India

Timeline 600-1600 CE Holy Scriptures continue to be

written and worship rituals develop

1700-1900 CE Hindu Renaissance 1857 CE National War of Independence 1895 CE Vedanta Society founded to

promote Hinduism as a world religion and India as a nation

1915 CE Gandhi joins the nationalist movement (1948

assassinated) 1950 CE Constitution of India

General Facts One of the oldest religions and 3rd largest One god in three persons with many helpers Believe there is more than one way to reach

“Heaven” Does not have a specific Holy Literature, instead

several books Family oriented and very cultural Believe in reincarnation Mainly practiced in India Has over 900 million believers worldwide as of

2009.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jesIqlDkKdY

Location

Maps of Origin and Distribution

Maps of Origin and Distribution

Holy Scripture Vedas (Wisdom) Divided into two broad categories: Shruti and

Smriti Original four parts

Rig Veda: oldest part of Vedas Yajur Veda: about sacrifices Sama Veda: hymnal to the gods Atharva-Veda: magic spells Scripture added later Brahmanas: duties of the priests explained Upanishads: meaning of the universe mediations Mahabharata: tale of war between the gods Ramayana: story of god Rama and the quest to find

his wife ,Sita, from the demon called Ravana Puranas: elaborates on the stories, worshipping of

different gods, creation, destruction and re-creation of the universe, philosophy, as well as other topics

Bhagavad Gita: also part of the holy scripture

Holy ScriptureVedas are god ordained and

sacredOne god but three in one (Triad):

Brahman: Brahma, Vishnu, ShivaBrahma: creatorVishnu: protector/ preserverShiva: destroyer

Brahma Vishnu

Shiva

Symbols and ArtifactsSanskrit Om is used in prayers or

mantras Cows are considered sacred

because of their gentleness and they give more that they take

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgEk4dPImNI

Om- Purity and possibility

Symbols and Artifacts

Vermillion bindi (red dot)

Bindi

Hindu god Shiva Nataraja (Lord of the Dance) performing the cosmic dance of bliss.

Lotus Flower: symbolizes seeking Moksha

Bindi: symbolizes female energy and protection from evil

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=002AY4cb5uw watch if time about Bindi

Fundamental PrinciplesTeachings: Four aims

Dharma: performing religious and social duties

Artha: building up of wealthKama: fulfilling one’s desires Moksha: freedom of the

continuous cycles of reincarnation

Fundamental Principles

Ways of Achieving Moksha:Knowledge: to experience

union with the godsAction: acting selfless, others

before yourselfDevotion: prayers, chanting

of Vedas, surrender oneself to the will of the gods

HolidaysRaksha Bandhan:

Celebrates love between brother and sister

Celebrated in July or August “ On Raksha Bandhan, sisters tie a bracelet onto their

brother’s hand which means we wish him luck for the rest of his life and he gives his sisters money,” my friend Mona Patel said.

HolidaysNavarati:

Nine day celebration of Mother Durga’s victory over evil demon

Celebrated this year from October 9-18, 2010

“We dance tradition dances like the Garba and the Raas from like 8 till 3 in the morning,” my friend Mona Patel said.

Couple dance the Garba

HolidaysDiwali:

celebrates the goddess named Lakshmi (luhksh-mee), who is the goddess of wealth, fertility, and prosperity.

Celebrated in November 5 Is also known as the festival of lights and is

the start of the financial year in India

Religious RitesPrenatal Rituals

Rite of Conception: performed before conception, wish for a male child and protection of the child while in the womb.

After 3-4 months another ceremony is performed wishing for male child and safeguards against miscarriages.

Between 4-8 months a ceremony is performed to protect the child against evil spirits.

Childhood Rituals: Naming ceremony occurs between the 10th and 12th day

of life. Girls receive ceremonial ear piercing between the ages of

1 to 5. Boys receive their first haircut by the time they turn 5. Other rituals are performed to help the children prepare

to assume their religious and social duties as adults Upanayana is a spiritual re-birth that only involves males

from the upper three castes in Hindu Society which leads to purity. (Ages 16,22,24)

Religious RitesMarriage

Important ritual in Hindu societyA man is not complete until marriage

and having a son.Elaborate ceremony

Lady wearing a traditional wedding Sari

Red and Gold: symbolizes love and faith Nikit Malkan wearing a sherwani which is typically worn during religious or attending wedding ceremonies

Religious RitesDeath:

Body is carried in a procession to the local cremation grounds

Procession lead by eldest son, who acts as chief mourner calling out the name of a god.

Cremation is the last the sacrifice in which the body is offered in the sacred fire

The deceased is born again and united with their ancestors

Mourning can last from 12 days -1 year

Major ContributorsNo single founder

Veda Vyasa1500 BCE

Sankara 700 CE

Ramanuja1000 CE

Madhva1200 CE

Religious & Social Structure

Brahmins-Priests

Kshatriya- Warriors

Vaisyas- Commoners/

MerchantsSudras-

Peasants/Artisans

Pariahs-Untouchables

Roles of WomenNot allowed to read or hear Vedas

because they are not believed to be spiritually inclined.

Are recently being accepted as priestesses

Dependent on fathers, husbands, and sons

Primarily viewed as mothershttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBsYhq-eTXA

Art Most art is centered around

religious beliefs.DanceMusicSculpture

Science/TechnologyEducation: 1st University 700 BCEMathematics: Concept of zero,

Quadratic equation, TrigonometryAstronomy: Solar System, 365

days/yearMedicine: Holistic and herbal

practices

Influence on Political & Economic Systems

Mahatma(Mohandas) Gandhi (1869-1949): Father of India Lead non-violent protests against the British Influenced Martin Luther King Jr. who lead the United States Civil Rights Movement in 1960’s to end segregation

The Caste system and the religious beliefs influenced both the Political and Economic systems of India

Current Event

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