HINDUISM Indias First Major Religion Hinduism has shaped

HINDUISM

India’s First Major Religion • Hinduism has shaped Indian culture in many ways. • It affected how people………. . • Worship • What they eat. • The jobs they have. • Their status in Indian society

The Foundations • Hinduism, was not started by one person. • Hinduism is a blend of Aryan beliefs and the beliefs of those whom they conquered. • The early form of the Aryan religion was called Vedism • It is named for the Vedas.

• The Vedas are a collection of sacred Hindu songs, teachings, and poems. • They were written in Sanskrit, which is the ancient language of India. The Vedas • They lay out the basic beliefs of Hinduism.

The Brahmins • The Brahmins were a group of priests and religious scholars who could interpret the Vedas and perform the rituals of Hinduism. • The Brahmins become a dominant social class. • Vedism becomes known as Brahmanism

BRAHMAN • Brahman is the name for the supreme power in the Hindu religion. • The Brahman is the only thing that lasts forever. • Brahman is constantly creating, destroying, and recreating the universe in a never ending cycle.

• Hindus believe that everything is part of the Brahman. • This includes the human soul, called the atman.

• Hinduism has many forms of worship and beliefs. • It is also a polytheistic religion with many gods and goddesses each representing a different face of Brahman.

Gods of Hinduism • Brahma Creator of the universe.

Vishnu • Preserves the universe.

Shiva • Destroyer of the universe.

Ganesha • God of Success, destroyer of evil, and the god of education.

• Many Hindu children learn about their religion and gods by reading stories like Ramayana. • It tells the story of a great battle between Rama, the hero, and Ravana, an evil spirit. • The story presents many Hindu beliefs in an entertaining way.

The Caste System • Brahmanism teaches that a well organized society is divided into social classes. • The Vedas list four main classes. These classes are called the Varna. • Over time a fifth Varna was added.

The Varnas • Brahmins: Priests and religious scholars. • Kshartriyas: Rulers and warriors. • Vaishyas: Herders and merchants • Shudras: Servants • Over time a fifth Varna was added called the untouchables. • The untouchables did the jobs that were considered low or dirty, like picking up garbage and dead animals.

• Once you were born into a certain caste, you could not change it. • Also, you could only marry within your caste.

Hindu Dharma • Hindu Dharma stands for law, obligation, and duty. • To follow your dharma, you should do your duties and live as one should. • Every social class had its own dharma.

Karma • The law of karma governs peoples souls after death. • Hindus believe that when a person dies their soul is reborn.

• What the soul is reborn as depends on the souls karma. • People who were good would be born in a higher class while those who were bad would be born into a lower class or even as an animal.

KARMA AND THE CASTE SYSTEM • According to karma, the caste system is fair because your social class reflects what you had done in a previous life.