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Hinduism
Hinduism
Hinduism cannot be traced back to a
single person’s ideas
Instead blends ancient Aryan traditions
with beliefs of conquered peoples
Aryan priests preserved sacred texts
the Vedas and the Upanishads
Hindu Beliefs
Brahma is the single supreme force that
unites the universe
There are many gods, each symbolizing a
form of Brahma
Three main gods in Hinduism: Brahma,
Vishnu, and Shiva
Gods of Hinduism
Brahma: Creator
of
the
World
Vishnu: Preserver of
the World
Shiva: Destroyer of
the World
Hindu Beliefs
Every Individual has a Soul
Each Individual Soul is part of a Universal
Soul known as the Atman
While most of the world sets goals of
personal wealth, Hindus believe that goals
of personal wealth only brings pain and
suffering
Hindu Beliefs
The Only Goal in Life is to free the soul
from its individual existence through
reunion with Atman
This Goal can take many life times
Thus Hindus believe in reincarnation
Reincarnation
The cycle of births and rebirths
experienced by the soul as it passes from
one body to another
This can include both humans and
animals
In each cycle the soul moves closer or
further away from Atman
Actions in life affect whether you move up
or down in your reincarnated form
The Caste System
Indian society is divided into many classes
under the caste system
An individuals place in
society is dependant on
their actions in their
past life
These past actions in
life are known as Karma
Karma
An individual can move up in society by
obeying religious duties and moral laws
These can include obeying caste
regulations on diet, work and social
behaviour
UH OH!
Disobeying these laws
can result in rebirth as
an animal
The Caste System
By 600 BC, Brahmans had become
highest members in Hindu society
Brahmans were believed
to be closest to Atman
They were tasked with
guarding sacred tasks
and performing religious
rituals
Brahmans
To be highest members of society meant
they must have obeyed the caste laws in
a past life
Some Hindus were critical of the power
and lifestyle of the Brahmans
The most famous critic was Siddhartha
Gautama, eventual founder of Buddhism