Download Ancient and Classical India

Hinduism: Spider Web Organizer
History/Origin
Religious Beliefs
Hindu Gods
Caste System
Hinduism
By accommodating all classes, all
intellects, and all personalities,
Hinduism became more than just a
religion; it established a framework for
the uniquely Indian society, in which
people of widely varying backgrounds,
beliefs, social standing, and education go
their own separate ways- together.
Hinduism
• Originated in India
• Evolved from native and
Aryan polytheistic beliefs
• Based on myths and
teachings
• Monotheistic: Belief in
many gods and goddesses
(over 330 million)
• Belief in reincarnation
• Connection to the Caste
System (Social Classes)
• Primarily in India
What is Hinduism?
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One of the oldest religions of humanity
The religion of the Indian people
Gave birth to Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism
Tolerance and diversity: "Truth is one, paths are
many"
• Many deities but a single, impersonal Ultimate
Reality
• A philosophy and a way of life – focused both on
this world and beyond
How did Hinduism begin?
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No particular founder
Indus River Valley Civilization >5000 years ago
Aryans enter 4000 - 3500 years ago
Vedic Tradition 3500 – 2500 years ago:
• rituals and many gods (polytheism)
• sacred texts (Vedas); (“truth”) – myths, rituals,
chants
• Social classes called the caste system
• Vedic Tradition develops into Hinduism
What do Hindus believe?
• One impersonal Ultimate Reality – Brahman
• Brahman manifests as many personal deities
• True essence of life – The soul (atman), is
Brahman trapped in matter
• Reincarnation – The soul is continually born
into this world lifetime after lifetime
• Karma – spiritual impurity due to actions keeps
us bound to this world (good and bad)
• Ultimate goal of life – to release the soul and
reunite with the divine, becoming as one with
Brahman
What do Hindus believe?
• Mythical belief in the sacred cow. It provides milk
(nourishment); the skin provides shelter.
• Hindus do not eat beef.
• Respect for all life – vegetarian
• Hinduism is a polytheistic religion. There are three
major gods, Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.
• Brahma - supreme being – creator of the universe
(not worshipped directly by the masses)
• Vishnu – the sustainer, the preserver – protects
humanity
• Shiva – the destroyer – destroys the universe so that
the cycle may begin again
Each god is associated with a sacred animal. The cow, tiger, elephant, and
monkey are among the most sacred.
Ganga
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Brahman
the Universal God
Brahma, the creator
Shiva, the destroyer
Vishnu, the preserver
Who do Hindus worship?
Brahma, the creator god
Brahma is the spirit, God, and
the intelligence that is in every
living being.
The creator, teaches art, music
Note: There are very few pictures and temples of Brahma
Who do Hindus worship?
Vishnu, the preserver god
Also known as the universal god
He preserves all new creations.
Luck, fortune, abundance
Vishnu, another form of Krishna (preserver of
humans)
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Who do Hindus worship?
Shiva, god of constructive destruction
(the transformer) represents evolution.
Shiva destroys so new life can
be created.
Shown either dancing or meditating (Lord of the
Dance). Shiva’s dance symbolizes the rhythm of
existence: the never ending process of creation and
destruction; birth, life, death, rebirth.
Shiva(n) & and his wife Parvathi (god of death)
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All these deities are but
manifested forms (attributes
and functions) of the
impersonal Brahma
And we too are manifest forms of God
“We are not human beings
having spiritual experiences;
We are spiritual beings
having a human experience!”
“That art Thou”
Ancient and Classical India
Hinduism
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About 80% of Indians are Hindu.
Hinduism is a way of life and a set of beliefs.
No one single Holy Book – many books called the Vedas
Hindus believe the universe has been created and
destroyed many times
Varna: (social class) or caste system; Varna means
color
Dharma: the duties of a person according to their varna
(social class)
According to Hindu belief, every individual must live
according or his or her own dharma, or moral duty.
All good actions are rewarded and bad deeds punished
according to the law of karma.
“Follow your dharma – achieve good karma”
Hinduism
• Your karma in this life determines your form in
the next life (higher or lower Varna)
• Reincarnation – cycle of life and rebirth
• Goal: Nirvana: to escape this cycle and be
reunited with Brahman.
• Effects of Hinduism on Society:
~ reinforced social hierarchy
~ promoted high ethical standards
~ respect for all living things
~ promotes a vegetarian diet and honors the
sacred cow
Social Classes (Varnas)
Brahmans: priests and scholars
Four
“stations” of
life (caste)
Kshatriyas: rulers and warriors
Vaisyas: merchant class: common people, merchants, traders
Sudras: worker class: unskilled laborers, farmers, servants
Pariahs: untouchables, slaves, sick, unclean (harijans)
• Castes determined by the previous life; a person is born into a caste and
cannot move into another.
• Caste system is a rigid social system that allows for NO social change
• Occupation, marriage, education, even diet is determined by hereditary caste
• Promoted social harmony – everyone followed rules of behavior
• Pariahs are not part of the system and are called untouchables because they
are considered dirty. Gandhi called these people, harijans
Social Classes (Varnas)
Brahmans: priests and scholars
Four
“stations” of
life (caste)
Kshatriyas: rulers and warriors
Vaisyas: merchant class: common people, merchants, traders
Sudras: worker class: unskilled laborers, farmers, servants
Pariahs: untouchables, slaves, sick, unclean (harijans)
The Indian constitution of 1950 outlawed untouchability and gave the
group full citizenship; however, discrimination against untouchables has
not been eliminated.
Through the years the caste system has weakened somewhat, but
continues to be a strong influence in Indian life. Some social distinctions
have been abandoned, especially in the cities. Many educated Hindus of
different castes intermix and work with one another. Formerly, they would
have dined with and would have married only members of their own
caste.
A Reflection after the simulation
Note: Please write the question for questions 1-4.
1. What do you think are the strong points of the
Hindu religion?
2. What are the weak points?
3. Why do you think the caste system is officially
outlawed?
4. How does Hinduism impact and shape the
culture of India?
Cornell Video Notes: The India Files
On your notebook paper, create the following
Cornell Notes graphic organizer:
Topic
Empires
Colonialism
Salt March
Independence
Notes
From Colonialism to Independence
Colonialism
Characteristics
1. Why?
2. Able to enforce?
3. Effects?
Examples
Independence
How?
Independenc
e
How?
British
When?
Colony
of India
How?
When?
When?
Early Society in South Asia
• Indus Valley Civilization centered around twin
fortified cities: Harappa & Mohenjo-daro,
declined > 2000 BCE
• Aryans – Indo-European Migrants from the
Caspian Sea area arrived - 2000 BCE
~ pastoral nomads, light-skinned, warrior culture
~ clashed with dark-skinned Dravidians
(sedentary, agricultural)
~ established a society that was male dominated,
dev. Sanskrit language, est. local kingdoms, dev.
a social class system, & Hinduism