Hinduism the Caste System The Beginnings of Hinduism

Hinduism & the Caste System

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.