Download Origins of Hinduism

Origins of Hinduism
Ancient India
Indian Society Divides
• As Aryan society
became more
complex, it began to
divide into groups,
usually along the lines
of occupation. In
time, strict rules on
how groups interacted
• became a defining
part of Indian society.
The Varnas
• According to the
Vedas, there were 4
main varnas or social
classes.
• Brahmins = Priests
• Kshatriyas = Rulers
• Vaisyas = farmers,
craftsmen, traders.
• Sudras = laborers
The Caste System
• As the rules of society got
stricter, the varnas would
divide into many more
creating the caste
system. This would
divide society into groups
based on a person’s birth,
wealth, or occupation. At
it high point there was as
many as 3,000 separate
castes in India.
The Caste System
• The caste one was
born into determined
his place in society.
Over time, individual
castes could gain or
lose favor and in rare
cases, and individual
could change castes.
The Caste System
• Women and men both
belonged to caste and
early in Aryan society
had most of the same
rights as men did –
for instance,
ownership of land.
Over time laws were
passed to restrict
these rights.
The Caste System
• By the end of the Aryan
era, a group formed
outside of the caste
system, the
untouchables. As the
name might suggest,
people that were part of
this group were given the
worst of jobs and were on
the bottom of the social
ladder – one they would
not leave.
Caste Rules
• To keep the classes
distinct, Aryans
developed rules for the
castes. You could not
marry outside of your
caste and even
interaction such as eating
with other castes was
forbidden. People who
broke rules would be
banned from their homes
and castes and make
them untouchables.
Brahmanism
• Religion was
important to the
Aryans even before
they reached India.
Since Aryan priests
were known and
Brahmins, their
religion is referred to
as Brahminism.
The Vedas
• Aryan religion is
based on the Vedas.
There are 4 Vedas,
each containing
readings and
rituals.The earliest of
the Vedas is the
Rigveda dating back
to 1000 BC.
Later Vedic Texts
• Brahmins would write
their thoughts on the
Vedas and compiled
the Vedic texts. One
set describes
religious rituals,
another secret rituals
and the final the
reflections of priests
and students.
Hinduism Develops
• The Vedas and other
Vedic texts influenced
religion in India for
centuries. As time went
forward, ideas from
Persian culture and
Central Asia blended in
with Aryan religion to
create the religion of
Hinduism, the largest
religion in India today.
Hindu Beliefs
• Hindus believe in
many gods with three
main gods – Brahma
the Creator, Vishnu
the Preserver and
Shiva the Destroyer.
They also believe that
all gods belong to one
universal spirit –
Brahman.
Life and Rebirth
• Hindu teachings state
everyone has a soul
or atman inside them.
This soul holds the
personality and
qualities that make
them who they are.
The ultimate goal is to
return their souls to
Brahman.
Life and Rebirth
• Hindus believe that all
souls will eventually join
Brahman as he is the
only reality – the rest of
life is illusion. Hindus
believe that souls are
reborn many times in this
quest to join Brahman.
This rebirth is known as
reincarnation
Hinduism and the Caste System
• According to the tenets of Hinduism, a person
that dies is reborn to a new body. The type of
body they are reborn into is based upon the life
they lived before. Karma is built on the good or
bad deeds of a persons previous life and will
move them up or down in castes. Each person
has a dharma or spiritual duties assigned to
them based on their position in life. People
accepting their positions helps to preserve the
caste system.
Groups react to Hinduism
• Although Hinduism is
widely followed in
India, there was some
disagreement from
some.
• The Jains and the
Siksh are two groups
with different beleifs
that have grown in
India.
Jainism
• Based on the teachings
of Mahavira, Jainism is
based on 4 principles
• Injure no life
• Tell the truth
• Do not steal
• Own no property
• They also practice
nonviolence
• They are also
vegeterians, part of harm
no life.
Sikhism
• Sikhism is based on
the teachings of Guru
Nanak. His teachings
blended the religions
of Hinduism and
Islam as well as
others. Sikhism
believes in one God.
The goal of Sikhism is
to reunite with God
after death.
Sikhism
• To reunite with God, one
must find enlightenment
and this may take several
lifetimes, hence they
believe in reincarnation.
Sikhs believe one should
live truthfully and treat all
people equally despite
gender, class or any other
factor.
Sikhism
• Sikhs pray several times
a day and wear 5 items at
all time as signs of their
religion.
• Long hair
• Small comb
• Steel bracelet
• Sword
• Special undergarments
• + men wear turbans
To sum up …
• Exit: What are similar ideas or beliefs of
the different religions of India?
• Stay tuned next time for Origins of
Buddhism