1. Hinduism a presentation by Ina & Felix

2. Main Facts one of the world‘s main religions
about 850 million followers
spread over India and a few more states like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Malaysia and Fidschi

3. History
Hinduism is mixture of traditional natural religions and the religion of the Arians who came from the North
earliest proofs of Hinduism from about 5000 before Christ
first sacred texts, the Vedas, were composed at about 2000 before Christ
Hinduism was influenced by Buddhism and Jainism

4. History (II)
Around Christ’s birth Hinduism had lost many members and was nearly gone
Conflict with the Islam from the eights century until about 1700
New ideas and renovation after contact with western culture

5. What is Hinduism ?
many different points of view -> many different gods (about 3 million)
no „founder“ (like Jesus for Christianity)
no institution with authority
main ideas: reincarnation and caste system
target: „climb up“ the caste system and finally escape the circle of rebirth

6. Influence on Society caste system structures society
castes are divided into thousands of different „family groups“ or social communities
to be born in a certain caste sometimes means having a certain job
although the caste system is banned from constitution, people still have different rights and duties

7. Role of Women very controversial views
H.H. Wilson (19th century): in Hinduism women are more respected than in other religions
some rites are forbidden for women
ideal woman: loving and caring mother and wife
rate of „love marriages“ (instead of arranged Marriages) rises
-> uncertainty of the role of women in India

8. references: Thanks for listening! www.wikipedia.de/Hinduismus
Thanks for listening!