1. Notes for today
In the first square write down what you know about Hinduism
In the second, write down what you would like to know about Hinduism. K W L

2. Hinduism
Cy-Woods HS

4. Hindu Basics 3rd largest religion in the world
837 million adherents
13% of the world’s population
Practiced primarily in India and Nepal
~ 80% of Indians practice Hinduism

5. Hindu Basics Often considered the oldest religion in the world.
Has no founder
Sanskrit is the ancient language of Hinduism.
Hindu comes from the Persian word for the people living on the other side of the Indus River.

6. Vedas The ancient scriptures of Hinduism. A collection
of hymns, prayers, rituals, chants, etc… They are
not the only sacred writings of Hinduism.

7. Concepts of god
Most Hindu believe in a single god of the highest form.
Brahman
God is everywhere, is everything, and is beyond everything.
god represents the very fabric of reality.
People are thus part of Brahman as well.

8. Ishvara The personal aspects of God.
Applying human traits to god to better communicate.

9. Brahma
“Creator god”

10. Vishnu
“preserver of the world”

11. Shiva
“destroyer or transformer”

12. Nandi The vehicle of Shiva.
Often seen at the entrance to shrines of Shiva.

13. sacred animals
Hindus believe that
all living beings have
a soul.

14. Dharma Generally translated as “the law”.
Varies according to caste or class.
Also seen in Buddhism and Sikhism.
How one should live their life.
Dharma determines karma

15. Karma
Cause and effect
“a fluttering butterfly’s wings causing a storm on the other side of the world”
Unbalance in karma will be worked out in the next life.
Goodness begets goodness and evil begets evil.

16. Cycle of reincarnation.

17. Moksha Release from the cycle of birth and rebirth.
Realization of one’s union with god.

18. Yoga
Mental and physical meditative practices.

19. Practices Shrines and temples
Singing hymnals, reciting scriptures and chanting mantras.

20. Bindi Help concentration and retain energy
Protect against demons or bad luck
Traditionally indicated that a woman was married
Worn all over South and South East Asia
Not only Hindus

21. Pilgrimages and festivals
Holy cities in Hinduism
Allahabad, Varanasi
Holi
Festival of Colors
Diwali
Festival of Lights
Return of Lord Raama after defeating the demon king Ravana – ruler of Lanka

22. Ganges River
Varanasi is considered by some to be the holiest site in Hinduism.
On the banks of the Ganges R.
Some believe they must bathe in it once in a lifetime
Cleanse a persons soul from sins
Heal the sick

23. Traditional Caste System in South Asia
The caste system is a type of SOCIAL ORDER
in which a person’s occupation and position in life is determined by the circumstances of his/her birth.
Traditional Caste System in South Asia

24. 4 Original Levels of the Caste System
Brahmans
Kshatriyas
4 Original Levels of the
Caste System
Vaisyas
Sudras

25. Sudras Vaisyas Kshatriyas Brahmans Showing the original caste
levels in the pyramid
shape symbolizes “status”
from highest to lowest,
but also represents
the the portion of
the population
fitting into each level.
Brahmans
Kshatriyas
**Remember that
this social order
is not based
on how much
$$ you have
Vaisyas
Sudras
Largest %
of population
Untouchables are NOT a part of the caste system.

26. Brahmans: priests/ scholars

27. Kshatriyas: warriors

28. Vaisyas: farmers and merchants

29. sudras
(artisans and laborers)

30. Untouchables (dalits)

31. Vaisyas: Merchants & farmers (most Woods families here)
Sudras: laborers
Comparisons in the “West”
Kshatriyas: Military leaders and politicians.
Brahmins: Religious leaders & scholars

32. Be the change you wish to see in the world.
-Mohandas Gandhi
Gandhi was assassinated by a Hindu extremist in He died
at the age of 79.