1. Hinduism: Spider Web Organizer
History/Origin
Religious Beliefs
Hinduism
Hindu Gods
Caste System

2. Hinduism
By accommodating all classes, all intellects, and all personalities, Hinduism became more than just a religion; it established a framework for the uniquely Indian society, in which people of widely varying backgrounds, beliefs, social standing, and education go their own separate ways- together.

3. Hinduism Originated in India
Evolved from native and Aryan polytheistic beliefs
Based on myths and teachings
Monotheistic: Belief in many gods and goddesses (over 330 million)
Belief in reincarnation
Connection to the Caste System (Social Classes)
Primarily in India

4. What is Hinduism? One of the oldest religions of humanity
The religion of the Indian people
Gave birth to Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism
Tolerance and diversity: "Truth is one, paths are many"
Many deities but a single, impersonal Ultimate Reality
A philosophy and a way of life – focused both on this world and beyond

5. How did Hinduism begin? No particular founder
Indus River Valley Civilization >5000 years ago
Aryans enter years ago
Vedic Tradition 3500 – 2500 years ago:
rituals and many gods (polytheism)
sacred texts (Vedas); (“truth”) – myths, rituals, chants
Social classes called the caste system
Vedic Tradition develops into Hinduism

6. What do Hindus believe? One impersonal Ultimate Reality – Brahman
Brahman manifests as many personal deities
True essence of life – The soul (atman), is Brahman trapped in matter
Reincarnation – The soul is continually born into this world lifetime after lifetime
Karma – spiritual impurity due to actions keeps us bound to this world (good and bad)
Ultimate goal of life – to release the soul and reunite with the divine, becoming as one with Brahman

7. What do Hindus believe?
Mythical belief in the sacred cow. It provides milk (nourishment); the skin provides shelter.
Hindus do not eat beef.
Respect for all life – vegetarian
Hinduism is a polytheistic religion. There are three major gods, Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.
Brahma - supreme being – creator of the universe (not worshipped directly by the masses)
Vishnu – the sustainer, the preserver – protects humanity
Shiva – the destroyer – destroys the universe so that the cycle may begin again
Each god is associated with a sacred animal. The cow, tiger, elephant, and monkey are among the most sacred.

8. Ganga

9. Brahman the Universal God
Brahma, the creator
Shiva, the destroyer
Vishnu, the preserver

10. Who do Hindus worship? Brahma, the creator god
Brahma is the spirit, God, and the intelligence that is in every living being.
The creator, teaches art, music
Note: There are very few pictures and temples of Brahma

11. Who do Hindus worship? Vishnu, the preserver god
Also known as the universal god
He preserves all new creations. Luck, fortune, abundance

12. Vishnu, another form of Krishna (preserver of humans)

13. Who do Hindus worship?
Shiva, god of constructive destruction (the transformer) represents evolution.
Shiva destroys so new life can be created.
Shown either dancing or meditating (Lord of the Dance). Shiva’s dance symbolizes the rhythm of existence: the never ending process of creation and destruction; birth, life, death, rebirth.

14. Shiva(n) & and his wife Parvathi (god of death)

15. All these deities are but manifested forms (attributes
and functions) of the
impersonal Brahma

16. And we too are manifest forms of God
“We are not human beings having spiritual experiences; We are spiritual beings having a human experience!”
“That art Thou”

19. Ancient and Classical India

20. Hinduism About 80% of Indians are Hindu.
Hinduism is a way of life and a set of beliefs.
No one single Holy Book – many books called the Vedas
Hindus believe the universe has been created and destroyed many times
Varna: (social class) or caste system; Varna means color
Dharma: the duties of a person according to their varna (social class)
According to Hindu belief, every individual must live according or his or her own dharma, or moral duty.
All good actions are rewarded and bad deeds punished according to the law of karma.
“Follow your dharma – achieve good karma”

21. Hinduism
Your karma in this life determines your form in the next life (higher or lower Varna)
Reincarnation – cycle of life and rebirth
Goal: Nirvana: to escape this cycle and be reunited with Brahman.
Effects of Hinduism on Society:
~ reinforced social hierarchy
~ promoted high ethical standards
~ respect for all living things
~ promotes a vegetarian diet and honors the sacred cow

22. Social Classes (Varnas)
Four “stations” of life (caste)
Social Classes (Varnas)
Brahmans: priests and scholars
Kshatriyas: rulers and warriors
Vaisyas: merchant class: common people, merchants, traders
Sudras: worker class: unskilled laborers, farmers, servants
Pariahs: untouchables, slaves, sick, unclean (harijans)
Castes determined by the previous life; a person is born into a caste and cannot move into another.
Caste system is a rigid social system that allows for NO social change
Occupation, marriage, education, even diet is determined by hereditary caste
Promoted social harmony – everyone followed rules of behavior
Pariahs are not part of the system and are called untouchables because they are considered dirty. Gandhi called these people, harijans

23. Social Classes (Varnas)
Four “stations” of life (caste)
Social Classes (Varnas)
Brahmans: priests and scholars
Kshatriyas: rulers and warriors
Vaisyas: merchant class: common people, merchants, traders
Sudras: worker class: unskilled laborers, farmers, servants
Pariahs: untouchables, slaves, sick, unclean (harijans)
The Indian constitution of 1950 outlawed untouchability and gave the group full citizenship; however, discrimination against untouchables has not been eliminated.
Through the years the caste system has weakened somewhat, but continues to be a strong influence in Indian life. Some social distinctions have been abandoned, especially in the cities. Many educated Hindus of different castes intermix and work with one another. Formerly, they would have dined with and would have married only members of their own caste.

25. A Reflection after the simulation
Note: Please write the question for questions 1-4.
What do you think are the strong points of the Hindu religion?
What are the weak points?
Why do you think the caste system is officially outlawed?
How does Hinduism impact and shape the culture of India?

26. Cornell Video Notes: The India Files
On your notebook paper, create the following Cornell Notes graphic organizer:
Empires
Colonialism
Salt March
Independence
Topic
Notes

27. From Colonialism to Independence
Characteristics
Examples
Why?
Able to enforce?
Effects?

28. Independence Independence British Colony of India How? How? When?

29. Early Society in South Asia
Indus Valley Civilization centered around twin fortified cities: Harappa & Mohenjo-daro, declined > 2000 BCE
Aryans – Indo-European Migrants from the Caspian Sea area arrived BCE
~ pastoral nomads, light-skinned, warrior culture
~ clashed with dark-skinned Dravidians (sedentary, agricultural)
~ established a society that was male dominated, dev. Sanskrit language, est. local kingdoms, dev. a social class system, & Hinduism