Ch 15 Learning About Hindu Beliefs

1. Ch 15 Learning About Hindu Beliefs • Introduction • The Origins of Hinduism • Hinduism and the Caste System • Hindu Beliefs About Brahman • Hindu Beliefs About Deities • Hindu Beliefs About Dharma • Hindu Beliefs About Karma • Hindu Beliefs About Samsara • Summary

2. Review Objectives: Describe what daily life may have been like in the Indus-Sarasvati region. Explain why Mohenjodaro is an important archeological site. Current Objectives: Identify and describe the major traditions customs, and beliefs of Hinduism. Describe five basic Hindu beliefs Identify ways that five basic Hindu beliefs affect life in India. December 16 • Complete pg 5-6 in Unit 3 packet • Complete #5 from Ancient India Vocabulary • Highlight/underline any vocabulary words (from 1-5) found on pgs 3-6 in Unit 3 packet • Chapter 15: Read sections 15.2 and 15.3 on pgs. 144-145. Fill in the note sheet. • Work on CRES study guide

3. Introduction • India's First Major Religion • Hinduism • How Hinduism Shaped Indian Life • Worship • Jobs • Food • Art and Literature • Determines status • Basic Beliefs • Dharma • Law, obligation, and duty • Perform duties and live as one should • Sacred Texts • Ramayana • Tells about life in ancient India • Offers models in dharma • Central figure • Rama • Loving son • Loving husband • responsible ruler

4. The Origins of Hinduism • Development • very old • began before recorded history • No single founder • developed slowly • Aryans • 2000 BCE Aryans migrated into northern India • Brought elements that later became Hinduism • Original Settlers • Ritual bathing • Lighting sacred (holy) fires • Worshipping certain deities

5. The Origins of Hinduism • Vedism • Vedas • Means "knowledge" in Sanskrit • Collection of sacred texts (verses, hymns, prayers, and teachings) • Composed in Sanskrit • Taught orally for hundreds of years • Brahmins • Class of priests and religious scholars • Interpreted the Vedas and correctly performed the rituals • Became dominant class in India • Later Vedism called Brahmanism • Modern-day Hinduism • Very complex • Many beliefs, many forms of worship, many deities exist side by side • Share certain beliefs • Vedas remain sacred

6. Hinduism and the Caste System • Brahmanism taught that a well-organized society was divided into social classes • Brahmins - priests and religious scholars • Kshatriyas - rulers and warriors • Vaishyas - herders and merchants • Shudras - servants • Each class had its own duties • Untouchables • 5th class that developed over time • people whose jobs or ways of life involved activities considered lowly or "dirty" • Had to live in their own neighborhoods • Could not enter many temples or attend schools • Other Hindus avoided touching or looking at them • Could not change caste • Born into a caste • Married into same caste

7. Hindu Beliefs About Brahman • Brahman • Supreme power or divine force • Greater than all other deities • Exists forever • Everything in the world is part of Brahman • Human souls are connected to Brahman • Human soul called atman • Compared to a drop of water as part of the ocean • Other deities are various forms of Brahman • Time goes in a circle • Brahman is constantly creating, destroying, and re-creating the universe • Cycle never ends • Connecting with deities • Began to build great temples in 6th century CE • Exact instructions about where and how to build temples • Doors always face east toward the rising sun • Covered with beautiful carvings and sculptures • Usually contain a tower and a small shrine • Hindus visit to express their love • Sit quietly and meditate • Give thanks, make requests, and take part in rituals

8. Hindu Beliefs About Deities • Many deities • All deities are different faces of Brahman • Each deity represents a power or quality of Brahman • Most popular and powerful deity • Indra • Deity of thunder • Fiercely warlike • Description • driving a blazing gold chariot across the sky • Riding a white elephant • Used lightning bolts as weapons • Most important deities • Brahman • Creator • Vishnu • Preserver • Blue skin and six arms • Shiva • Destroyer • Pictured as having three eyes • Able to see events from a distance • Devi • Female powers of the universe

9. Hindu Beliefs About Deities Stories • Describe heroic deities battling evil • Ramayana • Rama's fierce battle with Ravana, a demon • Presents basic beliefs in an entertaining way • Inspire Hindu holidays and festivals • Hindu New Year • Celebrated during Divali festival • Divali means "row of lamps" • Lamps symbols of good winning over evil

10. Hindu Beliefs About Dharma • Meaning • Stands for law, obligation, and duty • Perform one's duties and live as one should • Social class Dharma • Called varna dharma • duties involved a certain type of work • Society would be in harmony • Common dharma • Common set of values • marriage, sharing food with others, and caring for one's soul

11. Hindu Beliefs About Karma • Explains the importance of living according to dharma • Law of karma governs what happens to people's souls after death • Belief in a soul having many lives • Made up of all the good and evil that a person done in past lives • Move to higher class or animal world • Means that the universe is just or fair • Souls rewarded or punished • Explained people's status in society • Caste system criticized • Hindu teachers have come to teach equal treatment • Mahatma Gandhi • Today, Indian law protects rights of all people

12. Hindu Beliefs About Samsara Cycle of birth, death, and rebirth - Known as reincarnation • Ends when the soul escapes the cycle of rebirth • Accomplished through balancing their karma with good actions • Following their dharma by behaving correctly and performing their social duties • Worship Brahman including deities that represent different aspects of Bahaman • Hindu monks • Use a number of techniques to focus on Brahman • meditate • perform breathing exercises • recite prayers • sing sacred songspractice yoga • type of meditation • combines special body positions with deep, slow breathing • Known as sannyasins devote entire life to attaining divine enlightenment • Strive for direct, personal connections with Brahman • Going on holy journeys called pilgrimages • Difficulty of journey would cleanse them of sin • Faithful Hindus still make pilgrimages today • Lie facedown at each holy site and temple encountered • .Bathe in Ganges River as an act of devotion and purification • Travel to sacred places • Ganges River • Sarasvati River

13. Summary • Hinduism - India's first major religion • Five Basic Beliefs • Belief in Brahman • Belief in deities • Belief in dharma • Belief in karma • Belief in Samsara • Hinduism is a link between ancient and modern India • Still worship in temples, make pilgrimages, and celebrate religious festivals • Practice meditation and other ways of connecting with Brahman • Maintain ideals of reverence for life and nonviolence • Seen in abstinence from eating meat • Buddhism grew out of Hinduism