Download Hinduism

Ch. 6 Ancient India
Lesson 2 Origins of Hinduism
pp. 149 - 151
Hinduism
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Hinduism is a religion that began in
India.
The religion is the world’s oldest
religion.
Developed from the faith of the
Aryans.
3rd largest religion today
Today, most Hindus live in India and
Nepal.
The Vedas
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Sacred writings
Teach the key ideas of the Aryan religion
At first, it had to be memorized by priests
and spoken out loud
Much later, they were written down in
Sanskrit
Over time, the Aryan religion changed as
it blending with ideas of other people of
India
This mix of beliefs eventually became
Hinduism
Hindu Beliefs
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Core belief = god that is present in
everything - called Brahman.
God of all creation
Universal spirit
Legends say: When Brahma made humans,
his mouth became the Brahmins, his arms
the Kshatriyas, his legs the Vaishyas, and his
feet the Shudras (from the caste system =
their “jobs” in the caste)
Hindu Beliefs
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Upanishads = sacred writing
ancient text that describe the search
for Brahman, the one universal spirit.
 Say that every living thing has a soul
that is part of Brahman
 Body is part of life on Earth. At death,
the soul leaves the body and
joins/becomes one with Brahman.
 Most ancient Indians had a hard time
comprehending the idea of the
Brahman spirit.
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Hindu Beliefs
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Believed in many deities that
Eventually
were more like people
thought of
all 3 deities
Brahma – the creator
as different
parts of
Vishnu – the preserver
Brahman,
Shiva – the destroyer
the one
universal
spirit.
Reincarnation and Karma
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Reincarnation a cycle of being born
and reborn again in a new body.
Hindus strive for moksha = the ultimate
peace.
Hindus believe that most souls do not reunite
with Brahman immediately after death.
Instead, each soul must first pass through
many lives.
The Upanishads describe reincarnation as a process in this way,
“As a caterpillar, having reached the end of a blade of grass,
takes hold of another blade, then draws its body from the firs, to
the Self having reached the end of his body, takes hold of
another body, then draws itself from the first.”
Reincarnation and Karma
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Karma, a force that determines the
quality of each life.
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According to karma, the people’s status in life is
not an accident. It is based on what they did in
past lives.
Hinduism Live a good life, you create good
karma. Live a bad life, you create bad karma.
Good karma, means better next life, bad
karma, poorer next life
Hinduism earn a better existence in the
next life. To do that they must follow
dharma.
Dharma – personal responsibility
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People’s duties are different, depending on their
place in society.
Farmer has different duties than a priest
Men have different duties than women
How did Hindu beliefs shape the
way of life in ancient India?
1)Accepted the Hindu idea that all life is sacred.
2)Animals and people must be treated with
kindness and respect.
3)Reincarnation made them more accepting of the
varna caste system
*a devout Hindu believed that people of a
higher varna were superior and deserved their
status.
4) Reincarnation gave them hope that if they led a
good life now, then when reborn, maybe they
will return to a higher varna.
Hindu Duties
Each Hindu has 4 daily duties:
 Revere the deities (gods)
 Respect ancestors
 Respect all beings
 Honor all humankind
Research Questions
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5.
How did Hindu beliefs shape the way of
life in ancient India? 4 ways
Explain the process of reincarnation.
Describe the Vedas ancient text.
Describe the Upanishads ancient text.
Which is one of the oldest religions in the
world and is the world’s third
largest religion today?