1. Hinduism

3. Hinduism Hinduism cannot be traced back to a single person’s ideas
Instead blends ancient Aryan traditions with beliefs of conquered peoples
Aryan priests preserved sacred texts the Vedas and the Upanishads

4. Hindu Beliefs
Brahma is the single supreme force that unites the universe
There are many gods, each symbolizing a form of Brahma
Three main gods in Hinduism: Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva

5. Gods of Hinduism Brahma: Creator of the World
Vishnu: Preserver of the World
Shiva: Destroyer of the World

6. Hindu Beliefs Every Individual has a Soul
Each Individual Soul is part of a Universal Soul known as the Atman
While most of the world sets goals of personal wealth, Hindus believe that goals of personal wealth only brings pain and suffering

7. Hindu Beliefs
The Only Goal in Life is to free the soul from its individual existence through reunion with Atman
This Goal can take many life times
Thus Hindus believe in reincarnation

8. Reincarnation
The cycle of births and rebirths experienced by the soul as it passes from one body to another
This can include both humans and animals
In each cycle the soul moves closer or further away from Atman
Actions in life affect whether you move up or down in your reincarnated form

9. The Caste System
Indian society is divided into many classes under the caste system
An individuals place in society is dependant on their actions in their past life
These past actions in life are known as Karma

10. Karma
An individual can move up in society by obeying religious duties and moral laws
These can include obeying caste regulations on diet, work and social behaviour
Disobeying these laws can result in rebirth as an animal
UH OH!

11. The Caste System
By 600 BC, Brahmans had become highest members in Hindu society
Brahmans were believed to be closest to Atman
They were tasked with guarding sacred tasks and performing religious rituals

12. Brahmans
To be highest members of society meant they must have obeyed the caste laws in a past life
Some Hindus were critical of the power and lifestyle of the Brahmans
The most famous critic was Siddhartha Gautama, eventual founder of Buddhism