1. Dr. Afxendiou Global History and Geography 9 Sachem North High School
HINDUISM

2. GOD/GODS – Three main gods, Brahma the Creator,
FOUNDER – NONE
GOD/GODS – Three main gods, Brahma the Creator,
Vishnu the Protector,
and Shiva the Destroyer
Vishnu: The Protector
Shiva: The Destroyer
Brahma: The Creator

3. HOLY LAND – there are many holy places within India

4. RELIGION –Polytheistic SYMBOL – aum “om”
SACRED TEXT –
Upanishads
Bhagavad-Gita
Vedas
RELIGION –Polytheistic
SYMBOL – aum “om”

5. PLACE OF WORSHIP- at shrines at home
Or at temples

6. RELIGIOUS LEADERSHIP – have priests many titles
Swami – a monk
Mahatama - title to a great individual such as Mahatma Gandhi and means 'Great Soul'.
Maharishi which means 'great seer'
MORAL LAW – Dharma
means Law or Natural Law
correct, proper or decent behavior;
guidelines or rules that must be obeyed varying from caste to caste

7. ULTIMATE GOAL – to achieve MOKSHA
Moksha is a state of perfect understanding of all things.
Rejoining of the soul with the Brahman.
Release from the cycle of reincarnation
Ends all suffering
Achieved by having good karma over many lifetimes
The Lord said: Brahman is the Imperishable, the Supreme. Dwelling in each body, Brahman is called the individual soul The Bhagavad Gita as Translated by Swami Nikhilananda

8. KEY BELIEFS – Reincarnation Kharma Dharma The caste system
Cows are holy

9. millions of local deities
Brahma
Vishnu
Shiva
The Preserver
millions of local deities
The Destroyer
world of humans:
dharma
fulfillment of life roles
karma
death
reincarnation

10. Hinduism influenced Indian society by providing the caste system.
EFFECT ON SOCIETY –
Hinduism influenced Indian society by providing the caste system.
SOCIAL ORGANIZATION
The caste system is the social hierarchy that organizes people in order of importance in Indian society. It is a very strict social ranking that one is born into. A person’s caste position determines everything about them, how they will dress, who they will socialize with, who they can marry, what kind of job they can have. There is no way to escape your caste, the only way to move up is through reincarnation.
POLITICAL
Provides laws that keep order in society. Everyone knows what they are supposed to do and what they are not allowed to do