Download Hinduism and Its Beliefs

Objective:
By the end of this lesson, you should be
able to identify and understand the Hindu
Religion and be able to explain the key
concepts and major beliefs and how they
affect daily life in India.
Hinduism and Its Beliefs
In this chapter you will learn about the
world’s oldest religion, Hinduism. You will
learn about its beliefs, how it affects people
in India and surrounding countries and how
it affects their lives on a daily basis.
Origins of Hinduism
Hinduism is a very old
religion. Probably starting
before recorded history,
Hinduism is the world’s
oldest organized religion.
The word Hindu was used to
describe the people of the
Indus River Valley. Most
historians believe that
Hinduism writings were
produced after the Aryans
arrived and conquered the
people of the Indus Valley.
The Vedas
The early Hindu writings are
known as the Vedas. These
sacred writings captured the
songs, poems and teachings of
the Hindu religion. These
teachings probably started as
oral stories and were written
approximately 1000 B.C.E.
These teachings were written
in Sanskrit, or the ancient
language of India. Veda
means “knowledge” or
“wisdom” in Sanskrit.
The Caste System
Hinduism is not only a religion, it is also a way of life in
India. The Vedas taught that an organized society was
broken up into social classes called castes. Each caste
has its own duty, and it was that caste’s responsibility to
uphold their duties and stay within their own caste.
This caste system belief
Brahmins (Religious Scholars)
meant that some people
Kshatriyas (Lawmakers & Warriors)
were more important
than others. Also,
Vaishyas (Herders & Merchants)
Indians were born into a
caste system and could
Shudras (Workers)
not advance or marry
into another caste until
Untouchables (Lowly or Dirty Jobs)
their reincarnation.
The Caste System
Brahmins
Brahmins
Kshatriyas
Brahmins
Kshatriyas
Vaishyas
Brahmins
Kshatriyas
Vaishyas
Sudras
Shudras
Brahmins
Kshatriyas
Vaishyas
Sudras
Dalit (Untouchables)
Caste Video
Abolishing the caste system today. Click to
watch video.
Brahman and the Life Cycle
Hindus believe that time goes in a circle.
Death
Rebirth
In this cycle, everything is in constant
change, like seasons and lives. Only
Brahman, the Creator, exists forever.
Birth
Hindu believers think everything in
the world is part of Brahman,
including the human soul. The soul is
called atman. This connects all
Hindus with their gods.
Hindu believers connect with their
gods at temples. They are large in size.
The doors face the east, towards the
rising sun. Temples have shrines to
tell the teachings of their gods.
Polytheism in Hinduism
Hindus believe in one supreme god, Brahman. Other
gods and goddesses came into focus to represent
Brahman’s powers and qualities.
Hindu Gods represent the
trimurti, or the three principal
Godlike forces. They are
Brahma, the Creator, Vishnu,
the Preserver and Shiva, the
Destroyer. Stories such as the
Ramayana describe battles that
Hindu gods had with evil forces.
These popular stories tell about
the religion. Many of these have
inspired Hindu holidays and
festivals for many generations.
Brahman, the Creator. What does this picture represent?
Main
Hindu
Gods
Shiva, the Destroyer. Notice the
three eyes, seeing the future.
Another Picture of Shiva, the
Destroyer. The trident destroys evil.
Another picture of Brahma. Notice
the multiple heads.
Another picture of Vishnu, the Preserver. All
of his items have meaning.
Notice the multiple arms and blue color
of Vishnu. This represents strength.
Dharma and Hinduism
Dharma is one of the important teachings in
Hinduism. Dharma means law, obligation and duty. It is
important for a Hindu believer to perform one’s duties.
The caste system requires Hindu believers to perform
their duties. Each social class has its own dharma. For
the caste system to work, each person has to follow this.
Hindu believers also must follow the
values set forth in dharma. They believe
that all life is connected, and people are
not to do harm to any living creature.
The cow came to symbolize this idea
because cows represent the cycle of life.
That is why cows roam in India, doing
Krishna, God of Herders, herding cows.
pretty much as they please.
What does this picture represent?
Hindu Video
Hinduism and Karma
Hinduism and dharma tie in with karma, how a person
lives his or her life will affect their next life. Hindus believe
that souls are reborn into new bodies, called
reincarnation. Karma is the good or evil that a person
does in their life. By living well, a person can reincarnate
into a higher class. Living poorly may do the opposite.
The Law of Karma proves that the
universe is fair, or just. Souls are rewarded
for the good or evil they have done. The
caste system is the perfect example. The
untouchables are people believed to have
led a poor previous life. So, the social class
they are in reflects the way they lived a
past life or lives.
Ganesh, God of Good Fortune.
He is Shiva’s son.
Hinduism and Samsara
The Hindu life cycle called samsara, consists of birth,
death and rebirth. Hindus are to know pain and death
until their soul is united with Brahman, called moksha.
Hindus believe that it takes many lifetimes to escape
samsara by reincarnation. They strive for perfection,
living and following the idea of dharma and karma and
performing their social duties.
Hindus go on pilgrimages,
or holy journeys, to cleanse
themselves of sins in their
lives. The Ganges River is a
popular place where Hindu
believers bathe in the waters
Hindu believers bathe in the Ganges River. Why is this
as an act of devotion.
pilgrimage important?
Hinduism Chart
Dharma
Moksha
Vedas
Caste System
Pilgrimage
Hinduism
Polytheistic
Reincarnate
Samsara
Karma