India and Hinduism

Hinduism 83% of Indians are Hindu Ancient, polytheistic religion Teaches unity with all life Every living thing has a spirit or a soul that comes from the Creator- Brahma Treat all animals with great respect- most Hindus are vegetarians

Hinduism Consider the Ganges River to be holy- believes it purifies the souls of those who bathe in it or drink its water Final goal of every living thing is unity with Brahma

Reincarnation Belief that the souls of human beings and animals go through a series of births, deaths, and rebirths Believe that the soul does not die but passes from body to body until it becomes pure enough to be united with Brahma

Varanasi Hinduism’s most holy city one of India’s oldest cities; built on the banks of the Ganges River Believe anyone lucky enough to die there is released from the reincarnation cycle Devout Hindus hope to visit the city at least once in their lifetime to wash in the sacred Ganges River

Sacred Cow Cow is venerated or honored in Hinduism Cows are free to roam the streets of cities Considered sacred b/c they helped in tilling the soil and pulling carts; provide milk and food (dairy products); fuel (cow dung); believe the cow was created the same day as the Brahmin caste; symbol of motherhood

Caste System

Caste System Hindu society was divided into castes for hundreds of years People are born into a particular caste Complex caste rules governed every aspect of life- where people lived, what they ate, how they earned a living, who they married

Caste System High caste people had strictest rules to protect them from the impure lower castes Caste System ensured stable social order Could not change caste in this life but could reach a higher caste in a future life The system was outlawed about 50 years ago, however it is still practiced in some rural areas

Untouchables Lowest caste Did work that was considered “unclean” – street sweeping, tanning hides, clean sewers Continue to have fewer educational and employment opportunities