1. How did physical geography impact ancient India?
Bell Ringer
How did physical geography impact ancient India?

2. Copy the graphic organizer in your notebook
History of Hinduism
Beliefs of Hinduism
Practices of Hinduism

3. The History of Hinduism
One of the World’s oldest living religions
Hinduism developed over 3,500 years, and was a blending of Aryan cultures and other beliefs
Hinduism has no single founder, but Hindus have many great religious thinkers.
Hindus worship many gods and goddesses, however they believe in one single spiritual power called brahman.

4. The history of Hinduism
The most important Hindu gods are: Brahma, the Creator, the Preserver, and Shiva, the Destroyer.
Hindu gods takes many difference forms called avatars- which represent Hindu gods or goddesses in human or animal form.
Hindu teachings say that Brahma formed the whole earth and everything in it, and was born from a golden egg.

5. History of Hinduism
Hindus believe that Vishnu comes to earth from time to time to lead humans away from disaster.
Shiva is not concerned with human matters, and instead is responsible for creative and destructive forces.

6. Beliefs of Hinduism Upanishad- sitting near a teacher.
The Upanishad is a religious test written in the form of questions by pupils and responses by teachers.

7. Beliefs of Hinduism Reincarnation- rebirth of the soul.
Hindus believe that when a person dies, the soul is reborn in the body of another living thing.
The belief is that a person’s actions in this life can impact their standing in the next life.
A person who lives a perfect life can be freed from reincarnation and their soul can go to be with brahman.

8. Beliefs of Hinduism
Dharma- the religious and moral duties of each person.
The duties of Dharma depend upon a person’s class, age, and occupation.
In Hinduism, it is man’s duty to protect the women in his family, and rulers duty to protect his subjects.
Ahisma- is a belief in nonviolence.
Hindus believe that all living things are a part of brahman, which is why many do not eat meat or harm living things.

9. Practices of Hinduism
Hinduism teaches that there is more than one path to the truth.
Many Hindus believe that the practice of yoga help to free the soul of cares in the world, and can unite the soul with brahman.
The word yoga means union.
Hindus worship publicly by praying and performing rituals in the temples, but they also worship privately at home.
It is common for Hindus to choose a personal god, and to honor that god by offering food, gifts, and prayers at a home alter.