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Hinduism
Hinduism has grown to
become the world's third
largest religion, after
Christianity and Islam.
It claims about 950 million
followers -- about 14% of
the world's population.
It is the most popular religion
in India, Nepal, and among
the Tamils in Sri Lanka.
Estimates of the number of Hindus in
the U.S.:
1.5 million
Origins of Hinduism
Origins:
• the origin of
Hinduism dates
back to 5,000 or
more years.
• The word "Hindu" is
derived from the
name of River Indus
which flows
through northern
India.
India Map
Himalayas
Ganges & Indus River
India Monsoon Season
India “Haboob”
Hinduism is a mixture of the
traditional Aryan religion,
Brahmanism, and other central
Asian religions.
In order to truly understand
Hinduism, one must think about it
as both a way of life and a
religion.
Influences in Indian life
and Society
Hinduism is an all
encompassing
way of life
• Meditation
• Yoga
• They focus on connecting
with nature and the divine
through their daily
meditation and prayers.
Yoga
Was developed as a method of training the body to
achieve oneness with Brahman.
It is a form of meditation
Basic Beliefs of Hinduism
•All living things have a soul
(atman)
•The earth is temporary
(Maya)
•Ultimate goal is liberation
•Only possible through
reincarnation- see next
slide 
Life and Rebirth:
Hindus believe in REINCARNATION
They can be reborn
through a different
medium-person, animal, or
part of nature.
• Souls are born and reborn
many times, each time into
a new body.
Most forms of Hinduism are henotheistic:
they recognize a single deity, and
recognizes other gods and goddesses as
facets, forms, manifestations, or
aspects of that supreme God.
Is this is same as polytheistic?
Three main Gods:
1. Brahma
2. Vishnu
3. Siva
There are thousands
of other gods in the
Hindu religion
They all represent
different aspects of the
ONE God!
What goes around comes
around…KARMA
• Karma determines how you will
live your next life.
• Through pure acts, thoughts and
devotion, one can be reborn at a
higher level.
Bad deeds can cause a person
to be reborn as a lower level,
or even as an animal.
• Hindus consider all
life to be sacred and
so they practice the
principle of ahimsa,
or non-violence.
• Many Hindus are
vegetarian
• Cows are Sacred in
India because they
are seen as the most
generous of all
animals.
• Gandhi is a famous
Hindu leader
Temples
Hindu Video
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBZRTzX
ARWM
Block Day: August 20th & 21st
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CNN Student News
Map
Caste System
Activities
• Crash Course in Indus River Valley
Map Activity
• Learning Goal: Students will be able to label
key features of Ancient Indian society on a
map.
• Directions: On Page 67 of the World History
book, look up and label the following features
of India on the provided map. This
information will be references in class, and
also, on your assessment.
The Caste System
The Caste System
The Caste System is a system of social division in India.
There is some debate as to it origins, but it is made up of four main castes
and several sub-castes. You are born into your caste and may not change
your caste within your lifetime.
Brahmins
The top caste, the priests. They are
the closest to Brahman
Kshatryias
Second Caste, the
warriors and princes
Vaishya
Merchants, artisans and landowners
(Skilled workers)
Shudra
The workers, the lowest caste.
(unskilled workers)
Each caste has its own Dharma, or duty. You must obey the dharma of your
caste to earn good Karma and be able to be reincarnated at a higher caste
in the next life.
Varna (Social
Hierarchy)
Priests
Brahmins
Royalty &
Warriors
Kshatriyas
Merchants &
Craftsmen
Unskilled
Workers
Vaishyas
Shudras
Pariahs  Untouchables
Rules of the Caste System
• A person born into one caste
never changed castes or mixed
with members of other castes.
• They could not marry or eat
with anyone outside of their
caste group.
• If someone broke the rules,
they could be banned from
their homes or caste, making
them untouchables.
Brahmin
Kshatriya
Vaishya
Sudras
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Untouchables
These people were the bottom of Hindu society, they are not considered
part of the caste system.
About 5% of the population of India. They are required to perform the
dirtiest jobs dealing with trash, human waste, and death.
People of other castes refuse to do these jobs because they may damage
their Karma.
In the past Untouchables were not allowed to associate with people of other
castes. They were even required to carry of noisemaker to warn people of
the approach so they would not accidentally run into someone.
Discrimination against them continues today, even though the caste system
has been declared illegal.
Video Example
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uM85zVt
6xCU
Slumdog Millionaire movie
Symbols of Hinduism
Aum (Om)
•the three major Hindu
gods - Brahma, Vishnu,
and Siva
Bindi:
Symbolizes:
• female energy and
is believed to protect
women and their
husbands.
•made with the
paste of colored
sandalwood, sindoor
or turmeric.
Swastika
•Its name comes the
Sanskrit word svasti
meaning good fortune,
luck and well-being.
Crash Course 
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7ndRwq
JYDM
Modern Caste System articles
analysis
HAPPY FRIDAY!
• CNN Student news
– Check sheet
– Check map
• Pass back tests
• Check Grades
• Untouchables current event