1 / 11

12.3 Hinduism

12.3 Hinduism. The Roots of Hinduism. One of the world’s oldest religions Began as Brahmanism The main religion of India for the last 2000 years Means the religion of the people of India. The Roots of Hinduism. The Vedic Age and Practices The Vedas are India’s oldest religious texts

leola
Download Presentation

12.3 Hinduism

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. 12.3 Hinduism

  2. The Roots of Hinduism • One of the world’s oldest religions • Began as Brahmanism • The main religion of India for the last 2000 years • Means the religion of the people of India

  3. The Roots of Hinduism • The Vedic Age and Practices • The Vedas are India’s oldest religious texts • Written down about 500BC • Contain hymns to many gods • Brahmanism • During the Vedic Age Hinduism was known as Brahmanism • The Brahmans studies the texts and performed the rituals (if not performed perfectly the gods would be angry)

  4. The Evolution of Hinduism • As Indians moved to towns and cities their beliefs changed • People began to question their religion • New Teachings • Thinkers and teachers (gurus) began to look for answers • This is the beginning of Hinduism • Their teaching survive as the Upanishads • These are holy books along with the Vedas • Helped people see the connection from their religion to their everyday life • All castes could study the Upanishads

  5. The Evolution of Hinduism • Epic Poems • Everyone could also study 2 epic poems • Ramayana • Mahabharata • These both deal with moral issues • Within the Mahabharata is the “Song of the Lord” or Bhagavad-Gita, • Considered Hinduism’s most sacred text

  6. Beliefs about God • Over the 1000s of years of Hinduism their have been many beliefs but there are 2 beliefs that are common to all • There is 1 supreme cosmic consciousness, spiritual force, or god – Brahman All other gods are a form of Brahman • All people are born with a soul This soul is also a part of Brahman

  7. Beliefs about Life • Reincarnation and Karma • Hindus believe when a person dies the soul is reincarnated • Karma determines how a person is reborn • It is a persons actions that determine karma

  8. Beliefs about Life • Four Goals • Do what is right • dharma is what is right for each person • based on caste, age, gender • Also includes ahimsa – not doing harm to any living thing • Strive for well being - could involve your business • Physical pleasure – eating well, warm baths, etc. • Moksha – freedom from reincarnation, when the soul lives forever in joy

  9. Beliefs about Life • Three Paths to Moksha • Knowledge – true understanding of the soul & god • Works – doing one’s duty and religious rituals to improve karma (this is the most common today) • Devotion – life of prayer devoted to loving their god

  10. The Impact of Hinduism • 8o% of the more than 1billion people in India today are Hindu • Hindus also live in many places outside of India • The Spread of Hinduism • Why? • Because of its flexibility – all gods are forms of Brahman • Can worship in their own homes, so anywhere they went they could worship • Priests spread Hinduism to places people traded

  11. The Impact of Hinduism • Hindu Traditions • Many different traditions • In 150+ countries • Ganges River is their holy river • Art and literature are influenced by the sacred books

More Related