Download Hinduism and Buddhism Develop

Aryan Beliefs and Hinduism
Mr. Schabo
A.P. World History
Crestwood High School
Hinduism Evolves Over
Centuries
• Cannot
be traced to one founder
•Collections of beliefs that developed slowly
over time
•Hindus see religion as a means of liberating
the soul from illusions, disappointments, and
mistakes in everyday life.
•Moksha—A state of perfect understanding
of all things.
http://livinglegacy.ning.com/main/index/disabled
But it had to start somewhere
sometime . . .
• Between 750 and 550 B.C. Hindu teachers
tried to explain the hidden meanings in the
Vedic hymns.
• These commentaries were written down in
the Upanishads.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinduism#History
What are the main ideas?
• A person must seek to understand the
relationship between the personal soul
(atman) and the universal soul (Brahman).
Only then can they achieve understanding
and be released from the endless cycle of
life and death (moksha).
• This understanding cannot be achieved in
one lifetime.
So then, how can one achieve it?
• It requires rebirth (reincarnation)—again
and again until moksha is achieved.
• A soul’s good and bad deeds (karma)
determine the circumstances into which one
is reborn—health, wealth, caste, poverty,
etc.
http://www.spiritandsky.com/reincarnation/
The 3 Main Hindu Gods
http://www.freethoughtpedia.com/images/Hindubrahman.jpg
Brahman the Creator
http://www.freethoughtpedia.com/images/Hindu-vishnu.jpg
Vishnu the Protector
http://shootfighter.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/shiva.jpg
Shiva the Destroyer
Hindus today are free to worship
any diety they choose. They also
have 3 paths to seek moksha.
Right Thinking
Right Action
Religious
Devotion
Why is Hinduism important in the
historical development of India?
Ideas about karma and reincarnation strengthened the caste
system in India. People born into the upper castes were said
to have good karma; those born into the lower castes had to
have bad karma.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Jo7lJoQhtjw/Sw1HwIDesSI/AAAAAAAALqM/e5wyqgWSCy0/s1600/Karma+blog.nbc.com+slash+ross_blog+WQ.jpg