Transcript Hinduism2011

Hinduism
The Roots of Hinduism
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One of the world’s
oldest religions
Grew out of the
beliefs of the
Aryans
Today, nearly 800
million followers
The Vedas
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Sacred songs passed down by the Aryans to
Harappans
“Books of Knowledge”
Songs were considered holy and contained hymns
and prayers praising deities, or gods and goddesses
Written in Sanskrit
1st building blocks of Hinduism
Told Hindus how they should live and explained life
Hinduism and Culture
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Vedas explained how Hindus believe people were
created and what is the proper way to live
“ The Priest was his mouth; The princes became his
arms; His legs produced the Professionals and
Merchants; His feet gave birth to the servant.
1. Brahmins- priest and scholars
2. Kshatriyas- warriors and rulers
3. Vaisyas- workers (average Joe)
4. Sudras- servants
The Caste System
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A way of organizing people into hundreds of
different levels
A person’s place in society is determined by
the rank of the family he or she is born into.
E.g. People born in priestly caste of India have
the highest rank and respect.
Do people have any control over
their caste?
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YES!!!
The Vedas state that people move in a constant
cycle of birth, death, and rebirth.
REINCARNATION
Bad deeds done in one’s lifetime must be paid
for in the next life.
What does that mean?
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People born as servants are paying for wrongs
done in a past life.
Priests have done many good things in past
lives.
This is KARMA!
Karma is a force created by each person’s
good and bad acts.
How did Hindus know what was
right and wrong?
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They followed the dharma of their caste.
Laws and Duties
100s of rules that instructed the Hindus how to
live
Vedas told each caste what jobs they could and
could not do
What happens if I break a law?
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Following dharma helped keep society orderly.
The Vedas warned that not following dharma
would result in disorder.
E.g.- people who married against the rules of
the caste or who did a job outside their caste
were forced to live outside of all castes
“outcastes” “untouchables”
Outcastes
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Looked down upon by others
Said to be impure
Hindu priests performed a cleansing ceremony
if they were touched by even the shadow of an
outcaste
Had few rights
Because the children of outcastes were born
outside of all castes, they were outcastes
Many paths to truth
Over time, Hinduism
developed 100s of
different forms.
Different Forms, Different Beliefs
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Some Hindus believed their dharma called
them to become priests or to perform special
exercises.
Some felt it was important to eat no meat,
eggs, or fish.
Still others explored non-Hindu beliefs in their
search to understand the meaning of life and
the proper way to live.
Was it okay to explore other beliefs?
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YES!!!
This did not upset Hindu priests. Hinduism
allowed for the worship of more than one god
and more than one way to truth!!
The important aspect was finding truth!
Excerpt from Hindu Book,
Bhagavad Gita
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The god, Vishnu,
says, “Howsoever
people approach
me, even so do I
accept them; for
on all sides,
whatever path they
may choose is
mine.”
Hinduism Today
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800 million followers
Still worship many gods and goddesses.
Favorite gods are: Vishnu, “The One That is
The All,” Shiva, “ The God of Time and
Destruction,” and Devi, “ The Mother of All
Creation.”
Most Hindus worship at home, temples, or
special festivals
Vedas are still important, as well as other epics
MAJOR CHANGE TODAY
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In 1950, the Indian government
made it illegal to mistreat or to
show disrespect for Hindu
“outcastes.”