Today’s VocabPolytheism: Belief in more than 1 God.Brahman: The absolute universal spirit and power in

Hinduism.Reincarnation: The belief that all souls/spirits can be

born again.Moksha: The ultimate goal of Hinduism. A state of

perfect understanding between Atman and Brahman.Samsara: The cycle of reincarnation. Atman is born

again and again until Moksha is achieved.Caste System: Social class system within Hinduism.

You are a part of the Caste you are born in your entire life.

Dharma: The laws/customs of your Caste.Karma: How well you follow the Dharma of your Caste.

Warm up?What purpose do religions serve for the

people who follow them?

Commonalities of Major Religions1. All religions seek to

answer big questions like where did the world come from; what is the purpose of life; what happens after we die, etc.

2. All religions set out guidelines for how to live, for what is right and wrong, for how to be a good person.

3. Religious experiences occur for some people in all religions. These involve a feeling of peacefulness, joy, wholeness, and unity with the world. Different religions interpret these experiences differently.

4. Within each religion there is diversity of belief and practice. Some differences are about emphasis or style, while some are about primary religious questions, such as what is necessary for salvation. Within most religions there are some groups who feel that each word of the sacred text is literally true, while other groups do not.

5. All religions have deeply wise people, who are easily recognizable by anyone.

6. Most religions have people who wish to devote themselves wholly to their religions, such as monks and nuns.

7. Religion involves an element of faith, because it posits the existence of something that cannot be experienced by the five senses.

HinduismPossibly the

world’s oldest religion, over 4000 yrs. old.

Founder: unknownBelief that all

things in the universe are cyclical

PolytheisticBelief in numerous

Gods & Goddesses.Brahman- The

absolute universal power, spirit, force. Can not be

understood by humans, so the many Gods worshipped represent aspects of this power.

The 3 Main Gods are:Brahma

The CreatorVishnu

The ProtectorShiva

The Destroyer

A part of Brahman is in all living thingsAtman

Individual soul of living being

Hindus believe in reincarnationAn individual’s soul

or spirit born again and again

The Goal of HinduismMoksha

A state of perfect understanding of the relationship between atman and Brahman Become enlightened

through good Karma and reincarnation.

SamsaraCycle of reincarnation Atman or Soul is born

again and again until Moksha is achieved

Three paths to liberation from Samsara

1. Yoga Purification of the

mind and body

2. Devotion Honoring the Gods

3. Dharma Obedience to the laws

and customs of your Caste (Social System)

BRAHMAN (Moksha)

Priest

Warrior

Farmer/Merchant

Laborer

Reincarnation is based on how well you follow your Caste Dharma or duty.

Karma is your record (report card) of your deeds, if it is good you go up, bad you go down.

Untouchables or outcastes are not part of the caste system because of bad karma in a past life and are discriminated against.

Gandhi renamed them Harijans (children of God) to help end the discrimination.

Closing?What kind of effect do you feel the Caste

System has on Hindu society?