Chapter 15: Learning about World Religions: Hinduism

Hinduism – A religion that developed in India over many centuries; it traces its root to older traditions such as Vedic beliefs and Brahmanism

Vedas – The oldest writings of the Hindu religion

Sanskrit – An ancient language of India

Brahmanism – Ancient ritual traditions in which Brahmins (the class or priests and religious scholars) played a key role; it grew out of older Vedic religious beliefs and helped lead to Hinduism.

Caste – One of the fixed social classes, which cannot be changed, into which people are born in India

Dharma – A belief found in Hinduism and other Indian traditions that a person has a duty or obligation to live an honorable life.

Karma – The belief that all the good and bad things you do in this life affect how good or bad your future lives will be, according to Hindu and Buddhist religions

Reincarnation – The belief that after someone dies their soul lives again in another body

Pilgrimage – A journey to a holy place for religious reasons