Hinduism Global History I: Spiconardi

Origins  Developed over thousands of years combining the beliefs of the Aryans & Indus peoples  NO single founder  The word Hindu is derived from the river Sindhu or Indus

The Universal Spirit  Hindus believe in one unifying spirit called Brahman  Brahman is too complex for humans to understand  Hindus worship many gods to give a more concrete form to Brahman

The Three Main Hindu Gods  Brahman  The creator  Vishnu  The preserver  Shiva  The destroyer

Hindu Pantheon

Ātman  Ātman  our innermost and true selves It is unchanging (unlike our bodies and minds) We lose sight and awareness of our ātaman in our search for material things and “true happiness.” We cannot find true happiness this universe  We must achieve moksha

Moksha  The main goal of life is to achieve union with Brahman (moksha)  Moksha can only occur when you free yourself from all your selfish desires  Most people cannot achieve moksha in one lifetime

Reincarnation  Reincarnation  the soul is reborn in a new body  Each new lifetime allows you to get closer to moksha  Hindus get closer to this union by being born into higher levels of existence

Karma & Dharma  Karma  the deeds & actions (both good & bad) of a person’s life that affects his/her existence in the next life  Dharma  The moral & religious duties that are expected by of an individual A persons gender, class/caste, age, & occupation can affect his/her dharma

The Caste System  Caste/Varnas Social groups into which people are born in & out of You cannot move into a different caste during your life time

The Caste System Brahmins (Priests) Kshatriyas (Rulers & Warriors) Vaisyas (merchants, farmers, & artisans) Sudras (non-Aryan farmers & servants) Untouchable (butchers, gravediggers, trash collectors)

Other Facts  The Ganges River is sacred Bathing in it can purify, cleanse, and cure the sick Upon death many Hindus are cremated & have some of their ashes spread in the Ganges  Sacred Texts Bhagavad-Gita  most important text; it is a dialogue between a prince and the Vishnu in disguise. Vedas  Book of hymns, prayers, and philosophies

Other Facts  Reverence towards the cow (“The Sacred Cow”) Seen as a symbol of life and nourishment Cow Dung  Used for energy, tilaks (religious markings), & fertilizer

Other Facts The Bindi  Forehead decoration that symbolizes the relationship status of a Hindu women Red = Married Black = Single  Black can also ward off evil spirits