Hinduism Where in the world are Hindus map

Hinduism

Where in the world are Hindus? • map of religion

The Vedas § 1200 BCE-600 BCE. § written in SANSKRIT. § Hindu core of beliefs: Rig Veda oldest work. Ø hymns and poems. Ø religious prayers. Ø magical spells. Ø lists of the gods and goddesses.

• Brahmins- priests and wise men • Kshatriyas- warriors and rulers. • Vaishyas- merchants, traders and small farmers. • Shudras- peasants and field workers. • Untouchablesperform jobs no one else will do • http: //youtu. be/j 31 v e. R 74 g. So Varna (Social Hierarchy) Brahmins Kshatriyas Vaishyas Shudras Pariahs [Harijan] Untouchables

The Caste System WHO IS… Brahmins Kshatriyas § The mouth? § The arms? Vaishyas § The legs? § The feet? Shudras

Do Hindus believe in God? • Hindus officially are considered polytheistic. • They believe in one impersonal Ultimate Reality – Brahman • To make sense of this universal God Hindu developed many gods to make sense of their religion

A few examples • Brahma- the creator god

Vishnu- The Preserver and Sustainer

Shiva the destroyer

Gods, Gods and More Gods • These gods all have other personalities or avatars that also are worshipped • The gods are usually showed with human characteristics but are often bright colors or with multiple body partshttp: //www. sanatansociety. org/hindu_g ods_and_goddesses. htm http: //www. sanatansociety. org/hindu_gods_a nd_goddesses. htm

All these deities are but Manifest forms (attributes and functions) of the impersonal Brahman

What do Hindus believe? • True essence of life – Atman, the soul, is the universal god in you. ( Brahman) • Reincarnation – atman is continually born into this world lifetime after lifetime (Samsara)

How do I change my status? • We all have different roles in life and fulfilling these roles is called Dharma. This means our moral duty • Karma – spiritual impurity due to actions keeps us bound to this world (good and bad) • Ultimate goal of life – to release Atman and reunite with the divine, becoming as one with Brahman (Moksha)

Other beliefs • There are rules and behaviors that are expected of Hindus like in other religions. • The way people pray, the gods they worship and the rituals they practice can vary from place to place. This is called puja • This is consistent for all Hindus Human life is supreme