Dr. Afxendiou Global History and Geography 9 Sachem North High School HINDUISM

GOD/GODS – Three main gods, Brahma the Creator, FOUNDER – NONE GOD/GODS – Three main gods, Brahma the Creator, Vishnu the Protector, and Shiva the Destroyer Vishnu: The Protector Shiva: The Destroyer Brahma: The Creator

HOLY LAND – there are many holy places within India

RELIGION –Polytheistic SYMBOL – aum “om” SACRED TEXT – Upanishads Bhagavad-Gita Vedas RELIGION –Polytheistic SYMBOL – aum “om”

PLACE OF WORSHIP- at shrines at home Or at temples

RELIGIOUS LEADERSHIP – have priests many titles Swami – a monk Mahatama - title to a great individual such as Mahatma Gandhi and means 'Great Soul'. Maharishi which means 'great seer' MORAL LAW – Dharma means Law or Natural Law correct, proper or decent behavior; guidelines or rules that must be obeyed varying from caste to caste

ULTIMATE GOAL – to achieve MOKSHA Moksha is a state of perfect understanding of all things. Rejoining of the soul with the Brahman. Release from the cycle of reincarnation Ends all suffering Achieved by having good karma over many lifetimes The Lord said: Brahman is the Imperishable, the Supreme. Dwelling in each body, Brahman is called the individual soul. -The Bhagavad Gita as Translated by Swami Nikhilananda

KEY BELIEFS – Reincarnation Kharma Dharma The caste system Cows are holy

millions of local deities Brahma Vishnu Shiva The Preserver millions of local deities The Destroyer world of humans: dharma fulfillment of life roles karma death reincarnation

Hinduism influenced Indian society by providing the caste system. EFFECT ON SOCIETY – Hinduism influenced Indian society by providing the caste system. SOCIAL ORGANIZATION The caste system is the social hierarchy that organizes people in order of importance in Indian society. It is a very strict social ranking that one is born into. A person’s caste position determines everything about them, how they will dress, who they will socialize with, who they can marry, what kind of job they can have. There is no way to escape your caste, the only way to move up is through reincarnation. POLITICAL Provides laws that keep order in society. Everyone knows what they are supposed to do and what they are not allowed to do