1. India and Hinduism

2. Hinduism 83% of Indians are Hindu Ancient, polytheistic religion
Teaches unity with all life
Every living thing has a spirit or a soul that comes from the Creator- Brahma
Treat all animals with great respect- most Hindus are vegetarians

3. Hinduism
Consider the Ganges River to be holy- believes it purifies the souls of those who bathe in it or drink its water
Final goal of every living thing is unity with Brahma

4. Reincarnation
Belief that the souls of human beings and animals go through a series of births, deaths, and rebirths
Believe that the soul does not die but passes from body to body until it becomes pure enough to be united with Brahma

5. Varanasi Hinduism’s most holy city
one of India’s oldest cities; built on the banks of the Ganges River
Believe anyone lucky enough to die there is released from the reincarnation cycle
Devout Hindus hope to visit the city at least once in their lifetime to wash in the sacred Ganges River

6. Sacred Cow Cow is venerated or honored in Hinduism
Cows are free to roam the streets of cities
Considered sacred b/c they helped in tilling the soil and pulling carts; provide milk and food (dairy products); fuel (cow dung); believe the cow was created the same day as the Brahmin caste; symbol of motherhood

7. Caste System

8. Caste System
Hindu society was divided into castes for hundreds of years
People are born into a particular caste
Complex caste rules governed every aspect of life- where people lived, what they ate, how they earned a living, who they married

9. Caste System
High caste people had strictest rules to protect them from the impure lower castes
Caste System ensured stable social order
Could not change caste in this life but could reach a higher caste in a future life
The system was outlawed about 50 years ago, however it is still practiced in some rural areas

10. Untouchables Lowest caste
Did work that was considered “unclean” – street sweeping, tanning hides, clean sewers
Continue to have fewer educational and employment opportunities