1. Mr. Knoblauch Social Studies Council Rock High School South
Hinduism:
Mr. Knoblauch
Social Studies
Council Rock High School South

2. Hinduism
Lotus Flower: represents beauty and non-attachment. The lotus is rooted in the mud but floats on the water without becoming wet or muddy.
This symbolizes how one should live in the world in order to gain release from rebirth: without attachment to one's surroundings.

3. History Has no official founder or date
Historians estimate it was started around BCE (Before the Common Era/Before Christ)
Invaders from the north called Aryans came into the Indus Valley with a set of texts called the Vedas
A combination of the Aryans’ Vedas and the local beliefs became Hinduism

4. Vedas Earliest texts of Hinduism
Consists of 4 parts known as the ‘eternal truth’
It was written in Sanskrit around 1200 BCE

5. Other Sacred Texts The Upanishads- written between 800-400 BCE
A continuation of the Vedas philosophy on how to reach ‘eternal truth’
Ramayana – written around 100 CE (Common Era or AD)
Epic poem about a love story with moral undertones
The Lord Rama and his beloved Sita
Still a very important text in India today

6. Mahabharata – written between 540-300 BCE
Contains the poem the Bhagavad Gita
The Gita is the story of Lord Krishna and the warrior Arjuna and a fight that wages between two warring families
It discusses selflessness, duty, devotion, and meditation
Central to Hindu philosophy

7. This poem discusses the idea of a soul in Hindu philosophy
Bhagavad-Gita
This poem discusses the idea of a soul in Hindu philosophy
“It is never born, nor does it die: after coming to be, it does not cease to be; it is without birth, eternal, imperishable and timeless; it is not destroyed with the destruction of the body.”

8. Gods
Three principle Gods that make up the one truth or eternal force: Brahman
1. Brahma: The Creator
2. Vishnu: The Preserver Brahman
3. Shiva: The Destroyer
Numerous other gods

9. The Trinity Three Cosmic Functions of the Supreme Lord Brahman
Generator + Operator + Destroyer = GOD

10. Symbolism
Swastika
Symbolizes The eternal nature of Brahman as it points in all directions
Aum (OM)
A mantra (prayer)
Sacred symbol and sound that represents Brahman

11. Basic Beliefs Hinduism is the eternal way It is polytheistic
Each person has an essential self or atman. This can be interpreted as your soul or inner self.
Your atman contains Brahman
The atman is reincarnated many times through the system of samsara (Sanskrit word meaning reincarnation)

12. The goal of life in Hinduism is to end the cycle of samsara.
When your atman is no longer reincarnated you have reached moksha.
Your soul is now connected to Brahman
The way to reach moksha and end reincarnation is to follow your dharma– your duties and obligations in life according to caste.

13. To have good karma you must follow your dharma!
In order to follow your dharma and achieve moksha you must have good karma.
Karma is:
Moral law which guides the universe
Good and bad actions, thoughts or words
The balance of karma in a previous life determines one’s present condition
To have good karma you must follow your dharma!

14. The Caste System
Social classes (Varnas) in Indian society determined at birth
Your past life and karma will determine what caste you are born into
The word caste comes from a Portuguese word meaning race
Origins of the caste system are cited in the Ancient Texts

15. The Castes
There are four castes in India that are related to the physical features of Purusha (a primordial being)
Brahmin (priests)
Kshatriya (warriors)
Vaishya (traders and farmers)
Shudra (servants)
There are thousands of sub-castes!

16. The 5th Caste
Technically, there is no 5th caste, but there exists in India a group of people who are outside the system– The Harijans or Dalits; also known as Untouchables
People who are considered too impure, too polluted, to rank as worthy beings
India has outlawed discrimination of Untouchables, as they have the caste system as well….but there are still major problems

17. Each caste must follow its own rules and ways of behavior
This is your duty or dharma and therefore must be followed to achieve good karma
Caste determines a person’s profession