Download Hinduism PP

World Religions
HINDUISM
The Upanishads & the Epics
 The Vedic Age – the period of India’s history from
1500BC to 1000BC.
 During this time the many people migrated into
India.
 At the end of the Vedic Age many great works of
religious literature were written


The Upanishads – written explanations of Vedic religion.
Bhagavad Gita – stresses the idea of proper conduct based on a
person’s status in the class system.
Caste System
Rulers and
warriors
Brahmins,
priests, and
scholars
Merchants, traders
and farmers
Peasants and field workers
Untouchables – only allowed to
perform jobs considered unclean –
skinning animals, etc.
Religions
Two religions developed –
Hinduism
Buddhism
Hinduism
 Developed through the Brahmin priest’s




explanations of the Vedas.
Believe that a divine essence called Brahman fills
everything in the world.
People have an individual essence called Atman.
Brahman and Atman are one and the same.
Reflects the belief that all things in the universe are
of the same essence as God.
Hinduism
 Believe that the world is an illusion called maya.
 If people accept the illusion then they cannot be
saved.
 People gain salvation only if learn to reject maya.




Not easy to do.
Believe it can take many lifetimes to reject maya.
Because it can take many lifetimes to reject maya, souls must
be reborn over and over.
This is called reincarnation – the belief that the soul does not
die, but can be reborn in the body of another human or animal.
Hinduism
 Two important principles of Hinduism


Dharma – doing your moral duty in life so that your soul can
advance to the next life.
Karma – the good or bad force created by a person’s actions.
 People who fulfill their dharma get good karma and are
born into a higher social group in the next life.
 People who do not fulfill their dharma will get bad karma
and will be born into a lower social group in the next life.
 In time, souls who grow spiritually can reach nirvanaperfect peace.
 Life is complete at this point & the soul reunites with the
Braham.
Hindu Gods
 Hindu gods can be represented by several figures.
 Brahma the Creator
 Vishnu the Preserver
 Siva the Destroyer
 Other gods are represented in the spirits of trees,
animals, or people.
Hindu Religious Practices
 Yoga – mental and physical exercises that bring the
body and soul together.
 Festivals – combine religious ceremonies, rituals,
music, dancing, eating, and drinking.
 Cows are seen as sacred.


Protected by law.
Cannot be killed.
Comparing Hinduism & Buddhism
Hinduism
 Not founded by a specific




person
The Vedas are the most
important religious texts
Believe people have a soul –
Atman
Believe that a person’s soul is
reborn into different social
classes based on dharma from
the previous life.
Nirvana is the goal & is
achieved by growing
spiritually in each
reincarnation.
Buddhism
 Founded by Buddha
 Do not believe in the
Vedas or any religious
text.
 Enlightenment is the
goal
 People do not have souls
 Believe that life is
suffering & suffering can
only be ended by
removing desire.
SIMILARITIES
 Originated in India
 Both believe that the world is an illusion.
 Both believe in karma.
 Non-violent
 Compassion important