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Hinduism
Origins
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Hinduism does not come from the ________________________________ of one person
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Hindu is a Sanskrit word meaning “_______________________,” it was once used to describe all Indians
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The teachings of Hinduism have three main sources:
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The ____________________________ of the Indus River valley culture
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The traditions of the ___________________________ peoples
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And the beliefs of the ___________________________ invaders
Aryan Invasion
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When the Aryans invaded India, the ________________________ Dravidians responded in three ways:
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Fleeing to ___________________________ India and preserving their culture
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Becoming _______________________________ to the Aryans
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_________________________________ with the Aryans to form a new culture in northern Indiathis was the beginning of Hinduism
Hindu Texts
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Hindu beliefs come from a collection of texts known as the ______________________________, “that
which is heard”
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Other texts are called _____________________________, “that which is remembered”-these are great
stories
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The ________________________________ are part of the Shruti and answer questions about Hindu
beliefs and practices
Hindu Beliefs
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The one true reality is _________________________________, the mighty spirit that creates and
destroys. Brahman is One, but expresses itself as many
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One part of Brahman is the Self, or Soul. This is called ____________________________. Atman is found
in every living thing
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Nothing living dies entirely. The Atman continues in a cycle of ____________________________
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All Hindus strive to achieve ________________________________, a state of spiritual perfection. Once
moksha is achieved, the Atman merges with Brahman
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Moksha is achieved through __________________________________: knowledge and insight,
appropriate action and works, and devotion to god
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All diversity in the universe is an illusion (maya)-the true nature is ________________________________
Hindu Gods and Goddesses
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Brahma the _____________________________
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Vishnu the ______________________________
Shiva the _________________________________
__________________________________ (Feminine energy force responsible for fertility and creativity;
manifests itself in many female forms)
Hindus believe in the Oneness of Brahman, but often have ____________________________ to other
gods
Caste System
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1. _____________________________________
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2. _____________________________________
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Created from the arms, rulers and warriors
3. ______________________________________
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Created from the mouth, made up of priests
Created from the thighs, merchants, farmers, artisans
4. ______________________________________
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Created from the feed, servants and slaves
Dalits (Untouchables)
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The _____________________________, or Untouchables, are even lower than the Sudras
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They had no _____________________________ in Hindu culture
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Members of other ____________________________ would not speak to them, touch them, drink from
the same well, etc.
Justification
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The justification for the caste system is ____________________________-your behavior in this life will
determine your status in the next life
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Good karma is accrued by following __________________________________
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Dharma is the set of rules for proper behavior for each ________________________________
Goals of Life
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No matter what caste, there are four purushartha, or ____________________________ of life:
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Dharma, artha (success), kama (pleasure) and moksha
A Hindu expects to pass through four ashramas, or __________________________ of life:
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Brahmacarya-________________________________
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Grihastha-____________________________________
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Vanaprastha-One who withdraws for _________________________________________
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Samnyasin-One who ___________________________________________ the world