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India’s Religious Traditions. Hinduism. Hinduism. Major religion in India (83%) Polytheistic = worship many gods Believe in nonviolence & respect nature Believe in reincarnation = rebirth of the soul in various forms
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India’s Religious Traditions Hinduism
Hinduism • Major religion in India (83%) • Polytheistic = worship many gods • Believe in nonviolence & respect nature • Believe in reincarnation = rebirth of the soul in various forms • Believe in Karma = every deed in this life affects a person’s fate in a future life. (What goes around comes around.)
3 Main Hindu Gods • Brahma = creator • Vishnu = preserver • Siva (Shiva) = destroyer
The Caste System • a strict system of social classes. • established at birth • each has a traditional job • friendship & marriage rarely exist between different castes
Four Main Categories • Brahmans = priests or scholars • Kshatriyas = rulers or warriors • Vaisyas = merchants or professionals • Sudras = laborers & servants
Dharma • Duties & obligations. (Guide of conduct - how you should act.) • Each caste has its own dharma
Untouchables • lowest caste, held jobs that were thought of as “impure,” dealing with hair, leather or blood. • 1949 - untouchables were given equal rights