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Hinduism
Standard WHI.4c
What are the beliefs of the Hindu religion? How did Hinduism influence Indian society and culture?
Vocabulary Builder: ultimate (UHL tuh mit) adj. greatest or supreme; achieve (uh CHEEV) v. to get or
attain
Each group of people that came to India brought their own religious beliefs with them. As the
groups mixed, so did their beliefs. The religion of Hinduism is the result of the overlapping
religious beliefs of these people. Hinduism spread along major trade routes and shaped Indian
society and culture. For example, the caste system that developed in India was closely linked to
Hindu beliefs.
BASIC BELIEFS OF HINDUISM
GOD
KARMA AND REINCARNATION
SACRED WRITINGS
The ancient proverb, “God is
one, but wise people know
it by many names,” explains
one of the most basic beliefs
of Hinduism. Hindus
worship many gods, but they
believe that these gods are
many forms of brahman, the
unchanging, all-powerful,
spiritual force.
The ultimate goal of the
Hindu life is to achieve
moksha, or union with
brahman. To do this, Hindus
must be free of all selfish
desires. Most people cannot
achieve moksha in one
lifetime. But Hindus believe
in reincarnation, or rebirth
of the soul in another bodily
form. The law of karma tells
them that all of the actions
they take in their current
life will affect their fate in
their next life. If they live
virtuously and earn good
karma, they are reborn at a
higher level of existence. On
the other hand, if they act
in evil ways and earn bad
karma, they will be reborn
at a lower level, farther from
moksha.
The Vedas and the
Upanishads are the sacred
texts of Hinduism. They look
at complex ideas about the
human soul and how all of
life is interconnected.
The most important Hindu
gods are:
Brahma – the Creator;
Vishnu – the Preserver;
Shiva – the Destroyer
The Vedas include prayers,
hymns, chants, and religious
teachings. The Upanishads
are the part of the Vedas
that address philosophical
and mystical questions of
Hinduism. They contain
teachings about brahman
and atman (the human soul)
and about death and rebirth.
Check for Understanding On a separate piece of paper, explain why reincarnation is
central to Hindu beliefs.
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