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Hinduism. About Hinduism…. **Hinduism is generally considered to be a polytheistic religion with a belief in many gods. THE ISSUE – trying to make sense about the nature of the universe. Why do things happen? Why are things the way they are?. About Hinduism… (cont’d).
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About Hinduism… **Hinduism is generally considered to be a polytheistic religion with a belief in many gods. THE ISSUE – trying to make sense about the nature of the universe. Why do things happen? Why are things the way they are?
About Hinduism… (cont’d) • Upanishads – collection of Hindu ideas written in text (look on page 76 of the book for an excerpt) • Hinduism is predominant in the country of India. - Hinduism was not founded by one person or based on one god like Judaism, Christianity, or Islam. It is a combination of the many beliefs by the different groups who settled in India (IT IS VERY COMPLEX)
Hindu Beliefs • Upanishads and Veda • Sacred books of the Hindu B. Reincarnation • Ultimate goal is to achieve moksha (oneness with universe or Brahman) • People are reincarnated over several lifetimes to achieve this.
Hindu Beliefs (cont’d) C. Karma and Dharma • Karma is the way you act in this life affects you fate in the next life (act good and be rewarded in the next life; act bad and you will suffer in the next life) • Dharma is your moral behavior. A. Hindus believe that all existence is ranked from highest forms to lowest (humans, animals, plants, rocks, etc..)
Hindu Beliefs (cont’d again) B. Bad dharma = reborn into rock. C. Good dharma = reborn into higher social class of human
Caste System The Caste System is the social class system of Hindus (cannot marry outside of your caste) 1. Top – Brahmin – purest form of human; closest to achieving moksha (Ex: priest or monk) 2. Bottom – Pariah “untouchables” – lowest form of humans (Ex: ditch diggers, grave diggers, street cleaners) **also known as “outcastes” because they are such low human beings, they are outside the caste system **they even own wooden clappers to alert people of their presence so they can move out of the way