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Explore the origins of Hinduism and its major deities, including Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. Learn about Hindu teachings such as reincarnation and the importance of fulfilling one's duty (Karma). Discover the caste system, a social hierarchy that influenced every aspect of ancient Indian society.
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The Beginnings of Hinduism • About 1500 BC, when the Aryans invaded India, they brought with them parts of their culture • Their language Sanskrit, which the Aryans believed was a holy language, was spoken by the gods. • The Aryans’ holiest books, the Vedas are written in Sanskrit. • These four books describe the Aryan religion.
Hinduism • Hinduism is one of the oldest religions still practiced today. • They worship three main gods, (polytheistic) • Brahma the Creator • Vishnu the Preserver • Shiva the Destroyer • Below these gods are many other lesser gods.
Brahma the Creator • Creator of the Universe • Believes all other gods originated from Brahma. • 4 faces= 4 corners of universe • Holds a sacrificial ladle, 4 vedas, a jar of holy water from the Ganges River, has a necklace of prayer beads, and sits on a lotus flower
Vishnu the Preserver • Preserves the universe. • He is all powerful and all knowing • Role is to maintain a balance between good and evil powers. • In the universe to do this he returns to Earth in many forms.
Shiva the Destroyer or Purifier • Shiva is responsible for change both in the form of death and destruction. • Many forms but most famous is Lord of the Dance. • Halo of Fire-circle of birth and death • Crushes Dwarf- demon of ignorance
Hinduism Teachings • Hinduism teaches that people live many lives until they reach spiritual perfection • Believes in reincarnation, the soul lives on after death and returns to life in a new body. • Those who live good lives will be reborn into a higher social caste • Those who live bad lives will return as lower caste, could be an animal or an insect.
Other Hindu Beliefs • Dhrama: ultimate moral balance of all things, person must balance religion, social life, and family. If a person makes a promise it must be kept at all costs. • Karma: duty everyone must do duty with out expecting a favor in return • Moksha: like heaven, state of changeless bliss. Ultimate reward= release from reincarnation and united with God.
Caste System • The priests used the Vedas and the belief in reincarnation to give order to their society. • The Aryan social classes are divided into 4 castes. • Priests • Soldiers and Rulers • Farmers and merchants • Common people
The Caste • A person born into one caste could never change castes or mix with members of another caste. • Caste members live, marry, and work within their own group. • To the Indian people the caste system was like the human body
The Untouchables • Below all the castes were the untouchables. • They did all the unpleasant jobs of society, such as garbage, cleaning stable, or the dead. • Were though to be impure • They had to avoid all contact with the rest of society.
Accepting the Caste System • What made life under the caste system bearable was reincarnation. • Hindus believe that each person has a soul. The soul is reborn, born again, in another body. • They believe that even though life might be hard, if you obey the rules of your caste, there is hope that you will be reborn into the next life in a better caste.
