Download 4 Main Varna

Hinduism
Dravidians- original people of Indus/ Ganges
River valleys, forced to move by Aryans
Aryans-nomadic, warlike, fair-skinned, came from
Central Asia and conquered India, many aspects
of their culture can be found in Hinduism
Contributions- sacred writings, belief in the soul
and reincarnation, caste system.....
What is Hinduism?
One of the world’s oldest religions
Unlike most other religions, Hinduism has no
single founder, no single scripture, and no
commonly agreed set of teachings. For these
reasons, writers often refer to Hinduism as 'a way
of life' or 'a family of religions' rather than a single
religion.
Basic BeliefAll living things have a soul
How is it organized?
No founder
No formal church-people worship at home or in a
temple
many sacred texts/writings
What is Brahman?
Brahman- The Supreme Being; creator and
sustainer of the universe; all-powerful spirit
Most Hindus believe in Brahman, whose qualities
and forms are represented by the thousands of
gods and goddesses which come from him.
Hindu Triad
Brahma-the creator
Vishnu-the preserver
Shiva-the destroyer
Brahma
Vishnu
Shiva
The Cycles of the soul
Atman-the soul...leaves the body at death and
moves to a new life form, where a soul goes is
based on its behavior during its life
Reincarnation/Samsara-the belief that the soul
continues through a series of lives on a journey to
nirvana (ultimate resting place)
Karma--”to do”
-sum of all of your good and bad thoughts and
actions
-good karma=better place next life
-bad karma=soul moves down
Ahimsa-concept of non-violence to all living things
Dharma--moral and social responsibilities in a
person’s life that must be followed
•
-is determined by your caste
•
-do your dharma=get good karma
Transmigration--when the soul leaves the body at
death and moves to a new life form
Moksha/Nirvana--the ultimate resting place-end of
the cycle of reincarnation
broken into castes based on
The Society
Caste was
System
occupation
Born unequal in ability and opportunity
Stay in the caste you were born into for life
No intermarriage-must marry someone from you
own caste
Pollution- contact with members of a lower caste
can pollute your soul
Vegetarianism- no meat, except Kshatriya
4 Main Varna
Brahmin-priests/teachers
Kshatriya- warrior/politicians
Vaishya- merchants/business men
Sudra-laborers/servants
Untouchables- street cleaners,
lowest jobs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oh_xvKLhZHg