Hinduism Page 1 Symbol: Om

Today, Hinduism is the largest religion in India

Unlike many other religions, Hinduism does not have one single founder. Instead, many of the ideas of Hinduism were brought to India by a group of people called the Aryans.

Aryans The Ayrans were a nomadic group from Central Asia. Arrived in India about 1500BC By 900BC, Aryans formed city-states in major river valleys; each ruled by own ruler Developed form of writing known as Sanskrit

Caste System The Ayrans brought with them the basis for the Caste System, a strict social class system that was based on one’s birth.

Caste System List two things you notice about the caste system:

Caste System Aryans occupied higher castes Priests, warriors, landowners Untouchables/ Dalits: performed lowliest tasks Completely outside the social order

Caste System There was no social mobility, meaning you could not move up a caste during your lifetime.

Caste System There was strict segregation of castes, which meant you could not marry or associate with someone outside of your caste.

Why might the caste of Brahmins (priests) have been associated with the mouth?

Hinduism Basics Came from a mix of Aryan and local Indian beliefs Provided believers with a guide for how to live from birth to death No single holy book Vedas: religious books of various Hindu writings that provide guidance (includes hymns, prayers, and philosophies)

Deities Hinduism is both polytheistic and monistic. Polytheism means there are many gods. Monism means all things are representation of a single god. While there are many deities, each of the gods in Hinduism are all forms of the Brahman, or universal being.

The Creator The Preserver The Destroyer In the Rig-Veda, the three most important deities are Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. Together they made the Hindu Trinity. Brahma Vishnu Shiva The Creator The Preserver The Destroyer

Major Beliefs: Reincarnation Upon death, a person’s soul is reborn as another living thing Cycle of death and rebirth for each soul

Major Beliefs: Karma A person’s behavior in life determines that his form in the next life Good life  reborn into a higher caste

Major Beliefs: Moksha Freedom from reincarnation Escape the cycle of death and rebirth

Major Beliefs: Sacred Objects Ganges River is sacred and has power to wash away sin and evil

Major Beliefs: Sacred Objects Cow considered sacred animal; religious Hindus do not eat beef

Image Analysis What do you see? What is the significance? What characteristics of Hinduism does this photo highlight?

Image Analysis What do you see? What is the significance? What characteristics of Hinduism does this photo highlight?