Ancient India Hinduism How and where did Hinduism

Ancient India & Hinduism

How and where did Hinduism begin? ► Not just one particular founder ► Indus River Valley Civilization >5000 years ago § § Early cities had a precise grid system Strong central government Great deal oftrade Indus system of writing not is yet deciphered ► Reason for decline is a mystery to historians ► The Aryans enter 4000 to 3500 years ago § Aryans introduced the Caste Systemto India

What is Hinduism? ► One of theoldestreligions in the world ► The religion of the Indian people ► One main god but with multiple personalities ► A philosophy and a way of life – focused both on this world and the next

Basic Beliefs ► Karma- the law of cause and effect; “you reap what you sow” or “what comes around, goes around” ► Dharma- ones virtuous duty, governs peoples ideas about a proper way of living ► Moksha– a state of perfect understanding of all things (once you have reached moksha your spiritual journey through life is complete)

Reincarnation Ø Eternal soul isrebornin different bodies until it finds liberation, or reaches moksha moksh Ø People may be reincarnated at a higher or o lower level of existence depending on the karma from their present life

Caste System ► Brahmin - priests ► Kshatriya - rulers and warriors ► Vaishyas - peasants and traders ► Sudra - laborers ► Untouchables - were considered impure because of their line of work (butchers, grave diggers, trash collectors

Caste System ► Caste system is validated by karma/reincarnation ► If born into a higher caste then a person had good karma from a past life and vice versa ► Is still seen in parts of India even today… http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=Uh. Uw. KXI Q 5 k. M

Let’s think about it… ► Do you think people questioned the caste system? Why or why not? ► In our society, do we treat people differently who are born into different economic situations? Explain your answer. ► In American society, do we have different standards for different groups? Do the laws apply to everyone in the United States?

Let’s think about it some more… ► How is the class/caste system of Ancient India like the class system of the United States? How is it different? ► How have the teachings of the Hindus influenced our society? ► Hindus believe in reincarnation. What is your opinion of this concept?

Three Main Hindu Gods ► Brahma - the Creator ► Vishnu - the Preserver ► Shiva - the Destroyer

The Vedas Ø Hindus sacred texts Ø The Vedas would be equivalent to the Bible for Christianity or the Qur’an for Islam

Effects on Society ► Joint or extended family- all living together ► Traditional Hindus are vegetarians and have strict diets

Modern Day Traditions ► Worship is led at home by the father ► No specific day of worship ► Usually pray in the hours before and after dawn

Some of the many forms of Hindu gods