Download Hinduism - Global History I

Silently answer one of the following
questions:
What motivates someone to be good in
life? What motivates YOU to be good?
 What is the benefit to living a moral life?

Do-now:
Hinduism is an important religion in India.
This is the Hindu symbol for Om. It
represents the divine.
“God is one, but wise
people know it by many
names.”

Stop & Jot: interpret this
quote
Key Point #1: Many gods, One Force

Hindus believe in many gods. As such,
Hinduism can be considered polytheistic.

However, Hindus believe that every god
is a manifestation of one Supreme Being.

Brahman is the Supreme Being.
Hindus believe in
many gods.
However, Hindus
believe that every
god is a
manifestation of a
single, Supreme
Being.
Key Point #2: No Single Holy Book

Unlike Judaism, Christianity, and Islam,
Hinduism has no single holy book.

However, there are many significant Hindu
writings.

The Bhagavad-Gita, the Upanishads, and the
Vedas are important Hindu writings.
The Bhagavad-Gita is a conversation
between a warrior and a god.
Key Point 3: Beliefs

Hindus belief in cause and effect or
Karma “what goes around comes
around”

If a person does a good deed, he will be
rewarded in the future.
Think of Karma as what goes around,
comes around.
Hindus also believe in
reincarnation. Reincarnation
is the belief that a person’s soul
is reborn after death.

A person’s karma determines his
reincarnation.


Hindus also believe in a caste system. The
caste system is a fixed social class system.

A Hindus is born into his caste and must
remain in his caste a lifetime.

Brahmins (Priests), Warriors, Merchants, and
Farmers are Hindu castes.
Key Point #4: The Caste System
These are the Sanskrit names for the four
castes.

Every caste has its rules.

Dharma is the Sanskrit word for the
rules of caste.

Marrying in your caste is an example of
dharma.
Dharma
Hinduism is the dominant religion of
India.