1. Lesson 2 Origins of Hinduism pp. 149 - 151
Ch. 6 Ancient India
Lesson 2 Origins of Hinduism pp

2. Hinduism Hinduism is a religion that began in India.
The religion is the world’s oldest religion.
Developed from the faith of the Aryans.
3rd largest religion today
Today, most Hindus live in India and Nepal.

3. The Vedas Sacred writings Teach the key ideas of the Aryan religion
At first, it had to be memorized by priests and spoken out loud
Much later, they were written down in Sanskrit
Over time, the Aryan religion changed as it blending with ideas of other people of India
This mix of beliefs eventually became Hinduism

4. Hindu Beliefs
Core belief = god that is present in everything - called Brahman.
God of all creation
Universal spirit
Legends say: When Brahma made humans, his mouth became the Brahmins, his arms the Kshatriyas, his legs the Vaishyas, and his feet the Shudras (from the caste system = their “jobs” in the caste)

5. Hindu Beliefs Upanishads = sacred writing
ancient text that describe the search for Brahman, the one universal spirit.
Say that every living thing has a soul that is part of Brahman
Body is part of life on Earth. At death, the soul leaves the body and joins/becomes one with Brahman.
Most ancient Indians had a hard time comprehending the idea of the Brahman spirit.

6. Hindu Beliefs Believed in many deities that were more like people
Brahma – the creator
Vishnu – the preserver
Shiva – the destroyer
Eventually thought of all 3 deities as different parts of Brahman, the one universal spirit. 6

7. Reincarnation and Karma
Reincarnation a cycle of being born and reborn again in a new body.
Hindus strive for moksha = the ultimate peace.
Hindus believe that most souls do not reunite with Brahman immediately after death.
Instead, each soul must first pass through many lives.
The Upanishads describe reincarnation as a process in this way, “As a caterpillar, having reached the end of a blade of grass, takes hold of another blade, then draws its body from the firs, to the Self having reached the end of his body, takes hold of another body, then draws itself from the first.”

8. Reincarnation and Karma
Karma, a force that determines the quality of each life.
According to karma, the people’s status in life is not an accident. It is based on what they did in past lives.
Hinduism Live a good life, you create good karma. Live a bad life, you create bad karma.
Good karma, means better next life, bad karma, poorer next life
Hinduism earn a better existence in the next life. To do that they must follow dharma.
Dharma – personal responsibility
People’s duties are different, depending on their place in society.
Farmer has different duties than a priest
Men have different duties than women

9. How did Hindu beliefs shape the way of life in ancient India?
1)Accepted the Hindu idea that all life is sacred.
2)Animals and people must be treated with kindness and respect.
3)Reincarnation made them more accepting of the varna caste system
*a devout Hindu believed that people of a higher varna were superior and deserved their status.
4) Reincarnation gave them hope that if they led a good life now, then when reborn, maybe they will return to a higher varna.

10. Hindu Duties Each Hindu has 4 daily duties: Revere the deities (gods)
Respect ancestors
Respect all beings
Honor all humankind

11. Research Questions
How did Hindu beliefs shape the way of life in ancient India? 4 ways
Explain the process of reincarnation.
Describe the Vedas ancient text.
Describe the Upanishads ancient text.
Which is one of the oldest religions in the world and is the world’s third largest religion today?