Transcript Indiax
What do you know about India? • Largest religion? – Hinduism • Population? – 1.21 BILLION – 17% of world population is Indian • Language? – Hindi & English are ‘official’ languages – Over 1,000 languages spoken in India http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8N n5uqE3C9w Hinduism – a way of life in India • 82% of Indians are Hindu – 900 million adherents worldwide • No Founder • No Formal Church • Holy Book – Vedas and Upanishads Hinduism • Polytheistic – Worship thousands of incarnations of God – Brahman – single supreme force – 3 main incarnations of God – Brahma, Vishnu, Siva • Universal Soul & Eternal Self – Atman • One’s spirit or soul that underlies your existence • all things in nature are part of the universal soul Hinduism Concepts • Reincarnation – Karma – what you do in this life effects your next life – Dharma – divine law to do your duty – Moksha – freeing the soul to unite with Brahman Hinduism Concepts • Ahimsa – non injury to animals – Applies to respect for the cow- sacred cow – Do NOT eat beef – Many Hindus are vegetarian • Ganges River – sacred – Bathing in the river washes away sins – Many believe if they die by the river they will move up in their next life • Worship Hinduism Concepts – Often done individually, shrines in homes – Temples: Holy places of worship • Sati – practice of widows burning to death on their husbands funeral pyre – Now illegal, Hinduism Concepts • Yoga – Hindus developed this method of training designed to lead to a oneness with God https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttlBm7MJeSs Excerpt from Rig Veda • Speaking of the sacrifice of the first man to give rise to the four layers of society “The Brahmin was his mouth, his two arms were made the Kshatriya, his two thighs the Vaishya, from his feet the Sudra was born.” Caste System in India: – Strict social and religious order – Born into your caste – Determined by your karma via reincarnation – Your Caste determines your job • Dharma – the duties of your caste – Higher caste person would be contaminated if they came in contact with untouchables https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=Oh_xvKLhZHg • http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/16/opinio n/sunday/caste-is-not-past.html?_r=0 “Caste is Not Past” • How is India using affirmative action do prevent discrimination based on caste? • Is affirmative action working in India? Why or why not? • What do you think can be done to completely get rid of the caste system? Explain your ideas.