Download Hinduism - White Plains Public Schools

Hinduism
In this lesson, students will be able to
identify key beliefs of the Hindu religion.
Students will be able to identify and/or
define the following terms:
The Caste System
Karma
Dharma
Reincarnation
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Hinduism is an important religion in India.
This is the Hindu symbol for Om. It
represents the divine.
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The Aryans
• The Aryans invaded India around 1500
B.C.
• When the Aryans invaded India, they
brought their religious beliefs.
• Hinduism is a religion largely based on the
beliefs of the Aryans.
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The Aryans
invaded
the Indus River
Valley. Hinduism
is largely based
on the religious
beliefs of the
Aryans.
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No Single Holy Book
• Unlike Judaism, Christianity, and Islam,
Hinduism has no single holy book.
• However, there are many significant Hindu
writings.
• The Bhagavad-Gita, the Upanishads, and
the Vedas are important Hindu writings.
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The Bhagavad-Gita is a conversation
between a warrior and a god.
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Many gods, One Force
• Hindus believe in many gods. As such,
Hinduism can be considered polytheistic.
• However, Hindus believe that every god is
a manifestation of one Supreme Being.
• Brahman is the Supreme Being.
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Hindus believe in
many gods.
However, Hindus
believe that every
god is a
manifestation of a
single, Supreme
Being.
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Karma and Reincarnation
• Hindus believe in karma. Karma is the belief
that every action brings an equal reaction. If a
person does a good deed, he will be rewarded in
the future.
• Hindus also believe in reincarnation.
Reincarnation is the belief that a person’s soul is
reborn after death.
• A person’s karma determines his reincarnation.
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Think of Karma as what goes around,
comes around.
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The Caste System
• Hindus also believe in a caste system.
The caste system is a fixed social class
system.
• A Hindus is born into his caste and must
remain in his caste a lifetime.
• Brahmins (Priests), Warriors, Merchants,
and Farmers are Hindu castes.
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These are the Sanskrit names for the four
castes.
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Dharma
• Every caste has its rules.
• Dharma is the Sanskrit word for the rules
of caste.
• Marrying in your caste is an example of
dharma.
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Hinduism is the dominant religion of
India.
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Questions for Reflection:
• How does a person’s karma determine his
reincarnation?
• Why is the caste system a fixed social
class system?
• What is the difference between dharma
and karma?
• Why are some Hindus untouchables?
• Who were the Aryans?
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