HinduismHinduism

The Roots of HinduismThe Roots of Hinduism

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

Grew out of the Grew out of the beliefs of the beliefs of the AryansAryans

Today, nearly 800 Today, nearly 800 million followersmillion followers

The VedasThe Vedas

Sacred songs passed down by the Aryans to Sacred songs passed down by the Aryans to HarappansHarappans

““Books of Knowledge”Books of Knowledge” Songs were considered holy and contained hymns Songs were considered holy and contained hymns

and prayers praising deities, or gods and goddessesand prayers praising deities, or gods and goddesses Written in SanskritWritten in Sanskrit 11stst building blocks of Hinduism building blocks of Hinduism Told Hindus how they should live and explained lifeTold Hindus how they should live and explained life

Hinduism and CultureHinduism and Culture

Vedas explained how Hindus believe people were Vedas explained how Hindus believe people were created and what is the proper way to livecreated and what is the proper way to live

“ “ The Priest was his mouth; The princes became his The Priest was his mouth; The princes became his arms; His legs produced the Professionals and arms; His legs produced the Professionals and Merchants; His feet gave birth to the servant.Merchants; His feet gave birth to the servant.

1. Brahmins- priest and scholars1. Brahmins- priest and scholars 2. Kshatriyas- warriors and rulers2. Kshatriyas- warriors and rulers 3. Vaisyas- workers (average Joe)3. Vaisyas- workers (average Joe) 4. Sudras- servants4. Sudras- servants

The Caste SystemThe Caste System

A way of organizing people into hundreds of A way of organizing people into hundreds of different levelsdifferent levels

A person’s place in society is determined by A person’s place in society is determined by the rank of the family he or she is born into. the rank of the family he or she is born into.

E.g. People born in priestly caste of India have E.g. People born in priestly caste of India have the highest rank and respect.the highest rank and respect.

Do people have any control over Do people have any control over their caste?their caste?

YES!!!YES!!! The Vedas state that people move in a constant The Vedas state that people move in a constant

cycle of birth, death, and rebirth.cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. REINCARNATIONREINCARNATION Bad deeds done in one’s lifetime must be paid Bad deeds done in one’s lifetime must be paid

for in the next life.for in the next life.

What does that mean?What does that mean?

People born as servants are paying for wrongs People born as servants are paying for wrongs done in a past life.done in a past life.

Priests have done many good things in past Priests have done many good things in past lives.lives.

This is KARMA!This is KARMA! Karma is a force created by each person’s Karma is a force created by each person’s

good and bad acts.good and bad acts.

How did Hindus know what was How did Hindus know what was right and wrong?right and wrong?

They followed the dharma of their caste.They followed the dharma of their caste. Laws and DutiesLaws and Duties 100s of rules that instructed the Hindus how to 100s of rules that instructed the Hindus how to

livelive Vedas told each caste what jobs they could Vedas told each caste what jobs they could

and could not doand could not do

What happens if I break a law?What happens if I break a law?

Following dharma helped keep society Following dharma helped keep society orderly.orderly.

The Vedas warned that not following dharma The Vedas warned that not following dharma would result in disorder.would result in disorder.

E.g.- people who married against the rules of E.g.- people who married against the rules of the caste or who did a job outside their caste the caste or who did a job outside their caste were forced to live outside of all casteswere forced to live outside of all castes

““outcastes” “untouchables”outcastes” “untouchables”

OutcastesOutcastes

Looked down upon by othersLooked down upon by others Said to be impureSaid to be impure Hindu priests performed a cleansing ceremony Hindu priests performed a cleansing ceremony

if they were touched by even the shadow of an if they were touched by even the shadow of an outcasteoutcaste

Had few rights Had few rights Because the children of outcastes were born Because the children of outcastes were born

outside of all castes, they were outcastesoutside of all castes, they were outcastes

Many paths to truthMany paths to truth

Over time, Hinduism developed 100s of different forms.

Different Forms, Different BeliefsDifferent Forms, Different Beliefs

Some Hindus believed their dharma called Some Hindus believed their dharma called them to become priests or to perform special them to become priests or to perform special exercises.exercises.

Some felt it was important to eat no meat, Some felt it was important to eat no meat, eggs, or fish.eggs, or fish.

Still others explored non-Hindu beliefs in their Still others explored non-Hindu beliefs in their search to understand the meaning of life and search to understand the meaning of life and the proper way to live.the proper way to live.

Was it okay to explore other beliefs?Was it okay to explore other beliefs?

YES!!! YES!!! This did not upset Hindu priests. Hinduism This did not upset Hindu priests. Hinduism

allowed for the worship of more than one god allowed for the worship of more than one god and more than one way to truth!!and more than one way to truth!!

The important aspect was finding truth!The important aspect was finding truth!

Excerpt from Hindu Book, Excerpt from Hindu Book, Bhagavad GitaBhagavad Gita

The god, Vishnu, The god, Vishnu, says, “Howsoever says, “Howsoever people approach people approach me, even so do I me, even so do I accept them; for accept them; for on all sides, on all sides, whatever path they whatever path they may choose is may choose is mine.”mine.”

Hinduism TodayHinduism Today

800 million followers800 million followers Still worship many gods and goddesses.Still worship many gods and goddesses. Favorite gods are: Vishnu, “The One That is Favorite gods are: Vishnu, “The One That is

The All,” Shiva, “ The God of Time and The All,” Shiva, “ The God of Time and Destruction,” and Devi, “ The Mother of All Destruction,” and Devi, “ The Mother of All Creation.”Creation.”

Most Hindus worship at home, temples, or Most Hindus worship at home, temples, or special festivalsspecial festivals

Vedas are still important, as well as other epicsVedas are still important, as well as other epics

MAJOR CHANGE TODAYMAJOR CHANGE TODAY

In 1950, the Indian In 1950, the Indian government made it illegal to government made it illegal to mistreat or to show disrespect mistreat or to show disrespect for Hindu “outcastes.”for Hindu “outcastes.”