HinduismHinduism

Dravidians- original people of Indus/ Ganges Dravidians- original people of Indus/ Ganges River valleys, forced to move by AryansRiver valleys, forced to move by Aryans

Aryans-nomadic, warlike, fair-skinned, came from Aryans-nomadic, warlike, fair-skinned, came from Central Asia and conquered India, many aspects Central Asia and conquered India, many aspects of their culture can be found in Hinduismof their culture can be found in Hinduism

Contributions- sacred writings, belief in the soul Contributions- sacred writings, belief in the soul and reincarnation, caste system.....and reincarnation, caste system.....

Dravidians- original people of Indus/ Ganges Dravidians- original people of Indus/ Ganges River valleys, forced to move by AryansRiver valleys, forced to move by Aryans

Aryans-nomadic, warlike, fair-skinned, came from Aryans-nomadic, warlike, fair-skinned, came from Central Asia and conquered India, many aspects Central Asia and conquered India, many aspects of their culture can be found in Hinduismof their culture can be found in Hinduism

Contributions- sacred writings, belief in the soul Contributions- sacred writings, belief in the soul and reincarnation, caste system.....and reincarnation, caste system.....

One of the world’s oldest religionsOne of the world’s oldest religions

Unlike most other religions, Hinduism has no single founder, no single scripture, and no commonly agreed set of teachings. For these reasons, writers often refer to Hinduism as 'a way of life' or 'a family of religions' rather than a single religion.

One of the world’s oldest religionsOne of the world’s oldest religions

Unlike most other religions, Hinduism has no single founder, no single scripture, and no commonly agreed set of teachings. For these reasons, writers often refer to Hinduism as 'a way of life' or 'a family of religions' rather than a single religion.

What is Hinduism?What is Hinduism?

No founderNo founder

No formal church-people worship at home or in a temple

many sacred texts/writings

No founderNo founder

No formal church-people worship at home or in a temple

many sacred texts/writings

How is it organized?How is it organized?

Basic Belief-Basic Belief-All living things have a soulAll living things have a soul

Brahman- The Supreme Being; creator and Brahman- The Supreme Being; creator and sustainer of the universe; all-powerful spiritsustainer of the universe; all-powerful spirit

Most Hindus believe in Brahman, whose qualities and forms are represented by the thousands of gods and goddesses which come from him.

Brahman- The Supreme Being; creator and Brahman- The Supreme Being; creator and sustainer of the universe; all-powerful spiritsustainer of the universe; all-powerful spirit

Most Hindus believe in Brahman, whose qualities and forms are represented by the thousands of gods and goddesses which come from him.

What is Brahman?What is Brahman?

Brahma-the creator

Vishnu-the preserver

Shiva-the destroyer

Brahma-the creator

Vishnu-the preserver

Shiva-the destroyer

Hindu TriadHindu Triad

BrahmaBrahma VishnuVishnu ShivaShiva

Atman-the soul...leaves the body at death and moves to a new life form, where a soul goes is based on its behavior during its life

Reincarnation/Samsara-Reincarnation/Samsara-the belief that the soul continues through a series of lives on a journey to nirvana (ultimate resting place)

Atman-the soul...leaves the body at death and moves to a new life form, where a soul goes is based on its behavior during its life

Reincarnation/Samsara-Reincarnation/Samsara-the belief that the soul continues through a series of lives on a journey to nirvana (ultimate resting place)

The Cycles of the soulThe Cycles of the soul

Karma-Karma--”to do”

-sum of all of your good and bad thoughts and actions

-good karma=better place next life

-bad karma=soul moves down

Ahimsa-concept of non-violence to all living things

Karma-Karma--”to do”

-sum of all of your good and bad thoughts and actions

-good karma=better place next life

-bad karma=soul moves down

Ahimsa-concept of non-violence to all living things

Dharma-Dharma--moral and social responsibilities in a person’s life that must be followed

-is determined by your caste-is determined by your caste

-do your dharma=get good karma-do your dharma=get good karma

Transmigration-Transmigration--when the soul leaves the body at death and moves to a new life form

Moksha/Nirvana--the ultimate resting place-end of the cycle of reincarnation

Dharma-Dharma--moral and social responsibilities in a person’s life that must be followed

-is determined by your caste-is determined by your caste

-do your dharma=get good karma-do your dharma=get good karma

Transmigration-Transmigration--when the soul leaves the body at death and moves to a new life form

Moksha/Nirvana--the ultimate resting place-end of the cycle of reincarnation

Society was broken into castes based on Society was broken into castes based on occupationoccupation

Born unequal in ability and opportunity

Stay in the caste you were born into for life

No intermarriage-must marry someone from you own caste

Pollution- contact with members of a lower caste can pollute your soul

Vegetarianism- no meat, except Kshatriya

Society was broken into castes based on Society was broken into castes based on occupationoccupation

Born unequal in ability and opportunity

Stay in the caste you were born into for life

No intermarriage-must marry someone from you own caste

Pollution- contact with members of a lower caste can pollute your soul

Vegetarianism- no meat, except Kshatriya

The Caste SystemThe Caste System

4 Main Varna4 Main VarnaBrahmin-priests/teachersBrahmin-priests/teachersKshatriya- warrior/politiciansKshatriya- warrior/politiciansVaishya- merchants/business menVaishya- merchants/business menSudra-laborers/servantsSudra-laborers/servantsUntouchables- street cleaners, Untouchables- street cleaners, lowest jobslowest jobs

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