Download What is Hinduism?

Do Now
Respond to the following question:
Why is it important to study world religions?
Expectations
RESPECT: In class, it is essential that students share opinions and learn from one another.
Give your teacher and colleagues respect, listen to their thoughts, and do not talk
while they are talking. If you would like to share your opinions, raise your hand.
PROFESSIONALISM: It is important for you to begin to consider yourselves professional
scholars. As such, you are expected to do your best and work hard throughout each
class period. You are also expected to behave maturely; this entails your conduct in
class, your choice of words, and the products you produce. In addition, you should seek
help when it is needed.
CLASS RULES:
Be prepared and on time for class.
Heads must be up at all times; no sleeping in class.
IPods, cell phones, and other electronic devices should be turned off and put away
before entering the classroom.
Eating should take place in the cafeteria, not the classroom.
10-10 Rule: No bathroom/water fountain trips during the first or last 10 minutes of class.
You are responsible for work when you are out of the room (absent, tardy, bathroom,
etc.).
Consequences
(More serious infractions may not follow this sequence)
1st Infraction: Warning (verbal and/or written on board)
2nd Infraction: Conference with teacher
3rd Infraction: Phone call home
4th Infraction: Referral to administration
WHI.4 The student will demonstrate knowledge of the civilizations of India in terms of chronology, geography, social structures, government, economy, religion, and
contributions to later civilizations by describing the origins, beliefs, traditions, customs, and spread of Hinduism
World Religions
Why is it important to study world
religions?
Religion ties the past to the present
Religion is the foundation of civilizations
Religion influences politics, cultures,
economies, and education
Religion is often the cause for struggle and
conflict between civilizations and societies
World Religions Comparative Chart
Religion
Place of Origin
Founder
Sacred Text
Ultimate Goal
Worship
Major Beliefs
Hinduism
Buddhism
Judaism
Christianity
Islam
Introduction to Hinduism
Ganesha
Remover of Obstacles
One of the deities best-known and most
widely worshipped
What is Hinduism?
One of the oldest religions of humanity
5500–2600 BCE
A philosophy and a way of life – focused
both on this world and beyond
The third largest religion in the world
What do Hindus Believe?
There is no particular founder of Hinduism
Brahman – The all-powerful spiritual force of
Hinduism
Brahman is too complex for people to understand and
so it is divided into the many different gods and
goddesses of Hinduism to simplify it
Atman – The soul; the essence of Brahman that is
inside every living thing
Beliefs continued…
Reincarnation/Samsara – Rebirth of the
soul lifetime after lifetime
Reincarnation
Samsara: Constant cycle of rebirth
Death is not final for Hindus; they expect to be
reborn many times
People may be reincarnated at a higher or
lower level of existence (caste) depending on
their karma from their present life
Beliefs continued…
Karma – The moral consequences which
are a result of one’s actions throughout
their life; impure actions keep us bound to
this world
Beliefs continued…
Dharma – System of rules and values that
Hindus follow in their every day lives
Moksha – Ultimate goal
of life – to release the soul
and become one with
Brahman
Goal of Hinduism: Moksha
Moksha: Release or liberation of atman (the soul)
from the endless cycle of rebirth
(samsara/reincarnation).
You achieve Moksha by having good Karma.
Infinite bliss and awareness
United forever with the divine (Brahman)
Wheel of Life
Rebirth
Original
Birth/Death
Moksha
Death
Rebirth
Death
Rebirth
Death
Rebirth
Rebirth
Death
Death
Caste System:
A system of social division in India.
You are born into your caste and may not change your caste within
your lifetime.
Four Major Castes:
Brahmin: priests
Kshatriya: warriors and administrators
Vaishya: farmers, merchants, teachers, artisans
Sudras: servants, laborers
Untouchables lived outside the caste system;
their presence was considered harmful
Untouchables
They are required to perform the dirtiest jobs dealing with trash, human
waste, and death.
People of other castes refuse to do these jobs because they may damage
their Karma.
In the past Untouchables were not allowed to associate with people of
other castes. Discrimination against them continues today, even though
the caste system has been declared illegal.
Location of Hindus
The vast
majority
of Hindus
live in
India and
Nepal
Origins
Aryans
An Indo-European people
Migrated to India in about 1500 BCE from the
Caucus Mountains
Brought the Vedas – text that constitutes the
oldest layer of Sanskrit literature and the oldest
scriptures of Hinduism
Sacred Texts
Vedas: Hinduism’s oldest text,
nearly 4000 years old
Bhagavad Gita: Hinduism’s
most popular sacred text
The Major Gods Of Hinduism
Brahma:
Creator God
Shiva: God of Destruction/
Transformation so that
new can be created
Vishnu:
Preserver God
Aum, or Om
Seen as the
sound of the
universe
Sacred exclamation to be uttered at the
beginning and end of a reading of the Vedas
or previously to any prayer or mantra
Places of Worship
Puja (worship) takes place in the
Mandir (temple)
Hindus also worship at home and often
have a special room with a shrine to
particular gods
Festivals and Holy Days
No set day of the week is holy; each day has
its possibilities
There are 125 special days in the Hindu year
Diwali (the festival of lights) is the best known
festival
The Ganges River
The Ganges is sacred enough to purify all sins.
Pilgrims come from all over to bathe in the Ganges.
Sacred Cow of India
Milk holds a central place in religious
rituals
In honor of their exalted status, cows often
roam free
A citizen can be sent to jail
for killing or injuring a cow
What are the spiritual practices of
Hinduism?
Yoga:
Seeking union with the divine; a method of
training the body to achieve oneness with
Brahman
A form of meditation
Guru: A spiritual teacher
Spread of Hinduism
Hinduism has historically been a nonmissionizing religious tradition
However, it has spread to other parts of the
world as a result of:
Ancient times: Hindu kings conquering nonHindu lands
Later: Colonization
Independent Practice
Hinduism worksheet
Read article
Answer question
Ask for help when/if needed
Exit Slip
In your own words, name and describe two
beliefs of Hinduism (write at least one
sentence for each belief)
Gandhi: the Father of India
For Gandhi, social concern was
deeply rooted in his conviction
of the sacredness of life
Gandhi believed that human
beings should strive to live as
simply as possible since
overindulgence often meant
that others may have to do
without their basic needs
Gandhi was assassinated by a
Hindu fanatic on January 30,
l948 as India was gaining its
independence