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Hinduism and India Aryans invade India • Over Hindu Kush 1500 BCE • Khyber Pass • Tribes with chiefs – “rajahs” • Spoken language = Sanskrit means knowledge • Oral tradition • myths • stories • poems Writing develops the Vedas • Vedas = “books of knowledge” – holy texts • Upanishads The Gods A hierarchy (different levels) Universal Spirit = Brahma Nerguna • created all things – even the other gods • present in all things Vishnu • Preserver of Life • Krishna – Vishnu in Human form Siva • The Destroyer - a positive force Cycle of Life All souls reincarnated (given new flesh). Lesser gods There are almost 10,000 lesser gods Example: Ganga – goddess of renewal For which the Ganges river is named All these deities are but Manifest forms (attributes and functions) of the impersonal Brahman The Varnas Varna = Social class 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Brahmins – priests Kshatriyas – warriors / rulers Vaisyas – craftspeople / farmers Sudras – servants Pariahs or Untouchables – do unclean work Social Status • Birth into a class determines status for life • Only on reincarnation can you rise to the next level • Within each Varna there are 100’s of Castes • You grow up to do the job of the caste you were born into The Bhagavad-Gita • Part of the Vedas • “Song of the Lord” • Relates the importance of dharma Merited Incarnation • Means you earned the life you were given by actions in a past life • Karma = idea that if you do good you will be blessed with good, if you do evil, you will be cursed • Dharma = “righteous conduct” your dharma is the duty of your caste • “Follow your Dharma, get good Karma, raise your Varna” The Goal • Attain perfection or “Moksha” or Enlightenment • part of the Universal Spirit (Brahma) - in all things and released from the cycle of reincarnation Moksha Brahmins Kshatriyas Vaisyas Sudrahs Pariahs Offshoot of Hinduism- Jainism • Principle of Ahimsa is most important • Ahimsa = all life is sacred and worthy of respect • No Rigid Social Structure Another offshoot is Sikkism • Universal God • Truth, Self- Control, Remembrance