What do you know about India? Largest religion? – Hinduism Population? – 1.21 BILLION – 17% of world population is Indian Language? – Hindi & English are ‘official’ languages – Over 1,000 languages spoken in India

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Hinduism – a way of life in India 82% of Indians are Hindu – 900 million adherents worldwide No Founder No Formal Church Holy Book – Vedas and Upanishads

Hinduism Polytheistic – Worship thousands of incarnations of God – Brahman – single supreme force – 3 main incarnations of God – Brahma, Vishnu, Siva Universal Soul & Eternal Self – Atman One’s spirit or soul that underlies your existence all things in nature are part of the universal soul

Hinduism Concepts Reincarnation – Karma – what you do in this life effects your next life – Dharma – divine law to do your duty – Moksha – freeing the soul to unite with Brahman

Hinduism Concepts Ahimsa – non injury to animals – Applies to respect for the cow- sacred cow – Do NOT eat beef – Many Hindus are vegetarian Ganges River – sacred – Bathing in the river washes away sins – Many believe if they die by the river they will move up in their next life

Hinduism Concepts Worship – Often done individually, shrines in homes – Temples: Holy places of worship Sati – practice of widows burning to death on their husbands funeral pyre – Now illegal,

Hinduism Concepts Yoga – Hindus developed this method of training designed to lead to a oneness with God

Excerpt from Rig Veda Speaking of the sacrifice of the first man to give rise to the four layers of society “The Brahmin was his mouth, his two arms were made the Kshatriya, his two thighs the Vaishya, from his feet the Sudra was born.”

Caste System in India: – Strict social and religious order – Born into your caste – Determined by your karma via reincarnation – Your Caste determines your job Dharma – the duties of your caste – Higher caste person would be contaminated if they came in contact with untouchables v=Oh_xvKLhZHg

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“Caste is Not Past” How is India using affirmative action do prevent discrimination based on caste? Is affirmative action working in India? Why or why not? What do you think can be done to completely get rid of the caste system? Explain your ideas.