Transcript What is Hinduism?

Ancient India & Hinduism
How did Hinduism begin?
Ancient Indus River Valley
• No particular founder
• Indus River Valley Civilization >5000 years ago
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Early cities had a precise grid system
Strong central government
Great deal of trade
Indus system of writing is not deciphered
• Reason for decline is a mystery to historians
• Aryans enter 4000 - 3500 years ago
– Aryans introduced the Caste System to India
What is Hinduism?
• One of the oldest religions in the world
• The religion of the Indian people
• Many deities but a single, impersonal
Ultimate Reality
• A philosophy and a way of life – focused both
on this world and beyond
Basic Beliefs
• Karma - the law of cause and effect; “you reap
what you sow”
• Dharma - ones virtuous duty, governs peoples
ideas about a proper way of living
• Moksha – a state of perfect understanding of
all things (once you have reached Moksha
your journey through life is complete)
Reincarnation
• eternal soul is reborn in
different bodies till it finds
liberation, or Moksha
People may be
reincarnated at a higher or
lower level of existence
depending on their karma
from their present life.
Caste System
• Brahmin- priests
• Kshatriya – rulers and
warriors
• Vaishyas – peasants
and traders
• Sudra – laborers
• Untouchables- were
impure because of
their line of work
(butchers, grave
diggers, trash
collectors
Three Main Hindu Gods
• Brahma - the Creator
• Vishnu - the Preserver
• Shiva - the Destroyer
The Vedas
• Vedic Tradition 3500 – 2500 years ago:
– sacred texts (Vedas)
• The Vedas would be equivalent to the Bible
for Christianity or the Karan for Islam
Effects on Society
• Joint or extended family- all living together
• Class stratification-people live in higher or
lower classes
Modern Day Traditions
• Worship is led at home by the father
• No specific day of worship
• Usually pray in the hours before and after
dawn
Some of the Many Hindu
Gods
Discussion Questions
1. Do you think people questioned the
system? Why or why not?
2. Why do you suppose the class distinctions
were so harsh?
3. In our society do we treat people
differently who are born into different
economic situations? Defend your answer.
4. How have the teachings of the Hindus
influenced our society?
Untouchables Video-Modern Day
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhUwKXI
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