Today’s Schedule- 4/15/13 Turn in Unit 9 Map CNN Student News Finish 25.2 Part 1: History of India 4. 25.2 Part 2 PPT: Culture of India HW: -25.3 Vocab Check `

HINDUISM

Introduction India is a secular country 80% of population practice Hinduism Third most practiced religion in the world Cannot be traced to a specific person or historical event Evidence of its practice dates back to 4,000 BCE Making it the oldest of the major living religions

Purpose Everyone has the same goal To achieve an understanding that all beings are the same Achieving this is to understand Brahman To achieve this understanding one should meditate to get in touch with ones inner Atman (soul) Often done through yoga Anyone can be a Hindu

Gods/Goddesses Main gods of the Hindu faith Brahma is the creator Vishnu is the preserver Shiva is the destroyer There are millions of gods and goddesses in the Hindu faith People are encouraged to worship whichever god/goddess helps them achieve Brahman

Other Popular Gods Ganesha Buddha Krishna Ram Why so many? Lord of all living beings Buddha Krishna Ram Why so many? Reincarnation

Beliefs Reincarnation Dharma Karma One’s duty or path That one is reborn into a new life after death Hindus anticipate many lifetimes, so they do not experience the urgency to get it all right in one lifetime Dharma One’s duty or path Is determined by determined by gender, caste, and stage of life Karma Belief that every action produces an effect It has nothing to do with judgment of people or gods but it is the natural consequence of an action

Caste The caste system seems to have emerged during the Aryan settlement as a way of maintaining social order All people were divided into hereditary castes Brahmin – Priests Kshatriya – warriors Vaishya – producers (farmers, merchants, artisans) Shudra – servants and laborers

Untouchables An additional category of “outcast” exists For all those who are deemed outside of the social system This group includes the “Untouchables” who only recently began to enjoy legal rights due to the work of Gandhi He renamed them “God’s beloved”

OTHER RELIGIONS

Islam Largest minority religion in India

Sikhism Combination of Muslim belief in one God with the Hindu belief in reincarnation and karma Preaches equality of all people Rejects caste system

Jainism Attempt to conquer one’s dependence on the material world Some don’t even wear clothing Prohibiting from harming life Some walk with a broom and facecloth

CLOTHING

Sari Warm climate requires cool clothing Sari is worn by women Large rectangle wrapped around the body Men often wear more western style of clothing Some, however, wear a lungi Some also wear turbans as a public symbol of their religious beliefs Particularly Sikhs who allow their hair to grow

FOOD

India’s climate produces a vast array of spices Often combined to make various forms of curry Many practicing Hindus are vegetarians For those who do eat meat goat is common

FESTIVALS

India has many festivals and religious holidays Holi, a celebration of the triumph of good over evil, is one of the most lively Sprinkle each other with brightly colored powders