1. OBJECTIVES: I can describe major world beliefs. Key Words Religion Polytheism (polytheistic) Monotheism (monotheistic) ACTIVITIES: 1.HINDUISM NOTES 2.DIWALI BRAINPOP : Guiding Questions: What are religions? What are their main beliefs? What are the similarities & differences between religions?

2. KEY WORDDEFINITION Polytheism Belief in many Gods SKETCHCONNECTIONS/EXAMPLES HINDUISM Ancient GREEKS, EGYPTIANS, ROMANS

3. HINDUISM

4. FOUNDER There is no single founder of Hinduism.

5. PLACE OF ORIGIN Hinduism began in South Asia, present day India.

6. Religions of the World

7. POPULATION Hinduism is the most popular religion in modern India and Nepal. It is now the 3rd largest religion in the world with almost 1 billion followers.

8. GOD Hinduism is a polytheistic religion. Hindus believe that there are many gods and goddesses. There is a constant struggle between them (between order and chaos).

9. BrahmaBrahma, the creator of the universe. Vishnu, the protector of the universe. Vishnu Shiva, is the destroyer of the universe. THREE MAIN GODS

10. Shiva Hindus believe that Shiva periodically destroys the world in order to recreate it and is the source of both good and evil. THREE MAIN GODS

11. SYMBOL Om or Aum: Represents Brahman universal soul, used when meditating

12. SYMBOL Swastika: This is an ancient symbol of good fortune or protection

13. SYMBOL Lotus Flower: A beautiful flower that blooms in swampy water. For Hindus it symbolizes birth.

14. HOLY BOOK Hindus have several holy books including Vedas, Upanishads, Bhavad-Gita and the epics the Mahabharata and Ramayana.

15. MAIN BELIEFS Hindus believe in reincarnation : at death a person’s soul is reborn as another living thing…this creates an endless cycle

16. MAIN BELIEFS karma Your behavior in this life will determine your fate in the next life… Good behavior means a higher caste, bad behavior means a lower caste when you are reincarnated.

17. Main Beliefs Dharma This is the divine order and balance of things. Each person is responsible to maintain good order and balance in their own lives.

18. Reincarnation, Karma, and Dharma So what does this all mean in the end… If a person maintains good dharma, he will have good karma at the end of his life, and will receive a good reincarnation. This brings a Hindu closer to the ultimate goal of enlightenment, or moksha.

19. Hinduism The caste system was a system of social organization in India. When a person is born they are born into one of four groups or as an untouchable. This system has led to discrimination and has been outlawed in India. Hindus still debate whether the caste system is part of Hinduism or an outdated social custom.

20. Hinduism The castes are: A.Brahmins: Priests and leaders. B.Kshatriyas: Warriors, nobles, and kings. C.Vaishyas: Farmers, traders, and businessmen. D.Shudras: Servants and poor farmers.

21. Main Beliefs Sacred Objects: 1. Ganges River (washes away sins and evil)

22. Main Beliefs 2. A cow is also considered sacred. (religious Hindus do not eat beef).

23. PLACE OF WORSHIP Temple

24. HOLIDAY Diwali is a five day “festival of lights”