HINDUISM HISTORY BELIEFS HISTORY OF HINDUISM Developed out
HINDUISM HISTORY & BELIEFS
HISTORY OF HINDUISM
Developed out of Aryan beliefs mixed with India’s pre-existing cultures.
Over 3500 years old; has absorbed beliefs from other religions
BELIEFS
Reincarnation n Hindu’s believe when a person dies the soul is reincarnated in the body of another living thing. n They believe good behavior is rewarded/bad behavior is punished. n If good, may be reincarnated to a higher caste
Dharma n The religious and moral duties of each person. n A person must obey his or her dharma to become united with the one spirit (Brahman)
Caste System n Class system n Hereditary membership n Restrictions on occupations and personal contact with members of other castes
THE CASTES
Brahmans n Priests and Teachers
Kshatryas n Rulers and Warriors
Vaishyas n Merchants and traders
Sudras n Workers and Peasants n Servants to the higher classes
Untouchables n Did the dirty work n Scavengers, clean up after funerals, killing animals working in leather and other “unclean “ materials
The Chandalas or "untouchables" The Chandalas were considered outside of the system of the other castes. They did not live within the cities or villages, nor were they allowed to enter during the day. At night they could enter to scavenge and collect night soil (manure). They had to move off the path if someone from a higher class approached because contact with such people was "contaminating". Hindu texts were interpreted as describing a class of people as foul and loathsome, and any physical contact with them was regarded as polluting. Indeed, the Untouchables' very shadows were considered polluting, and they were required to beat drums and make loud noises to announce their approach. Untouchables had to attach brooms to their backs to erase any evidence of their presence. Cups were tied around their necks to capture any spittle that might escape their lips and contaminate roads and streets. Their meals were taken from broken dishes. Their clothing was taking from corpses. They were forbidden to learn to read and write, and were prohibited from listening to any of the traditional Hindu texts. Untouchables were denied access to public wells. They could not use ornaments and were not allowed to enter Hindu temples. They performed the jobs that no one else wanted to perform. The primary work of Untouchables included scavenging and street sweeping, emptying toilets, the public execution of criminals, the disposal of dead animals and human corpses, and the clean-up of cremation grounds. Surprisingly, musicians belonged to this class, too, but music was listened to by members of other castes. The daily life of the Untouchable was filled with degradation, deprivation and humiliation.
Beliefs of Hinduism
THE END
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