Download It is a way of life which shapes and unifies much of Indian

Hinduism
Hinduism is the chief religion
of India (85% of population).
It is a way of life which
shapes and unifies much of
Indian culture.
Om—symbol
of Hinduism
I.
Hinduism is a collection of
beliefs which developed
over a long period of time.
1. Founder – can’t be
traced to one founder
2. Holy Texts:
a. Vedas – Four
collections of prayers,
magical spells and
instructions for
performing rituals.
b. Upanishads – (oo PAN ih
shadz) text which helps to
explain the ideas
contained in the Vedas
3. Beliefs:
a. Reincarnation –
rebirths - repeated passing
of the soul from one life to
the next
b. Karma – an individual’s
good or bad deeds—
follows you from one
reincarnation to another
*Influences what you
come back as in your
next life
c. Moksha – a state of perfect
understanding of all
things—release from this
world
II. Caste system: social
classes developed in
ancient times and
believed to be based on
occupation
1.
Four main castes:
Brahmins
Kshatriyas
Vaishya
Sudras
1.
Four main castes: Varnas
or social classes
a. Brahmins – religious
class of priests
b. Kshatriyas – rulers and
warriors
c. Vaishya – landowners and
merchants
d. Sudras – peasants and
laborers
1.
Four main castes:
Brahmins
Kshatriyas
Vaishya
Sudras
Untouchables
2. Harijians – Untouchables –
outcasts in Hindu society.
They are usually poor and
less educated then other
Hindus.
a. Mahatma Gandhi –
greatly improved the lives
and status of the
Untouchables in Indian
society.
3. Born into a caste for life
and determines
occupation, who you may
marry and who you can
associate.
In other words,
EVERYTHING!
4. Today, there are hundreds
of subdivisions of the caste
system.
5. Dharma – duties and
obligations that each caste
must follow.
6. Karma (deeds or actions)
determines your caste
III.
Gods – Polytheistic !
1. Brahman– World Soul that is made up of 3
gods:
a. Brahma:
the creator
b. Vishnu:
the
protector
c. Shiva:
the
destroyer
IV. Holy Sites:
1. The Ganges River is a holy
site for Hindus. All Hindus
are expected to visit and
bath in the Ganges River
once in their lifetime.
Ganges River
Taj Mahal
Mumtaz Muhal
Shah Jahan
Tombs of Shah Jahan and
Mumtaz Muhal