1 December 2016 EQ – What are the basic principals of Hinduism? Bellringer –Take out your notes from yesterday for a little check-in quiz Hinduism Ppt. Notes – in your packet HW – Read 5.2 Assessment Friday (12/9)

Directions: Answer the following questions using your 5.1 Notes. 1. What river did ancient Indians first settle along? _________________ 2. What mountains did this river originate in (to cause floods and silt)? _____________________ 3. What was the name of the 1st group of people in Ancient India? ___________ 4. What group came in and settled after the 1st group died out? They might have even conquered the first group. __________________ 5. What is the main written language- that we can read- used by the 2nd group of people in Ancient India? _____________________

The Indian Caste System & Hinduism

Varnas The Indian Caste System Varna may be translated as "class," and refers to the four social classes which existed in the Vedic society The Indian caste system has been in use for many years.  Still today the values of the caste system are held strongly.  It has kept a sense of order, and peace among the people.

Varnas The Indian Caste System Aryan Society became divided over the years. Usually this division was decided by occupation. These divisions were called the Varnas

Caste System

The Caste System Brahmins (BRAH-muhns)- Priests. They were the highest.

Brahmin The Brahmin were the priests, teachers, and judges who understood dharma. The Brahmin often lived apart from the rest of society in temples. Many Brahmin priests believed contact with lower castes would contaminate their souls. Vedic prayers were considered so pure that they could not be recited or even heard by a person of a lower caste. One Indian law stated that if a Sudras was caught listening to the Vedas, molten lead was to be poured into his ears.

The Caste System Kshatriyas (KSHA-tree-uhs)- Rulers and warriors

The Kshatriya The warrior caste who made everyday decisions and ran the government. The Kshatriya had most of the power in everyday life, but their decisions could be overruled by the Brahmin.

The Caste System Vaisyas (VYSH-yuhs)- Farmers (landowners), craftspeople, and merchants

The Vaishyas Skilled farmers (landowners) and merchants. They occasionally had leadership positions in local villages.

The Caste System Sudras (SOO-drahs)- Workers and Servants

The Sudras The unskilled workers were of the Sudras caste. Members of the Sudras caste often worked on the farms of the people of higher castes.

The Caste System Harijan (Untouchables)- Did all the jobs that no one else wanted to do.

Untouchables/Dalit (Oppressed) Hired to do work that members of the caste system would not do.  Often forbidden to enter temples, schools and wells where caste members drew water. In some parts of India, even the sight of untouchables was thought to be polluting. The untouchables were often forced to sleep during the day and work at night. The Indian Constitution has forbidden discrimination against the Dalit since 1950 The Indian people elected a Dalit to the presidency. K. R. Narayanan served in that position from 1997 to 2002.

Caste System

These groups were later divided into groups called castes. Castes- Divided Indian society into groups based on a person’s wealth, birth, or occupation.

Caste Rules Caste is a matter of birth Each group has rules of conduct to be obeyed. People were not allowed to marry outside of their caste It was forbidden to eat with members of another caste If you broke a caste rule you could be banned from homes & castes Spent most of time with your caste Helps to keep everyone “in line”

Hindu Beliefs: Millions of manifestations of Brahman There are 3 major Gods (Each part of Brahman – so…monotheistic – 1 God) Brahma – the Creator Shiva – the Destroyer Vishnu – the Preserver Millions of manifestations of Brahman Each god is part of a single universal spirit called Brahman

Basic Beliefs of Hinduism The Brahman preserves the world. Everyone has a soul, atman. – this soul is constant – always the same. You change your clothing just as your atman changes form. We are all reborn many times in the process of reincarnation.

Karma The effects that good or bad actions have on a person’s soul is called karma. This will determine what a person will be reborn as. If you have bad karma – you will be born into a lower caste in your next life. If you have good karma – you will be born into a higher caste in your next life.

Moksha If you have enough good karma you can reach a salvation called moksha. Moksha – the freedom from life’s worries and the cycle of rebirth

Other Important Terms Dharma- The duty to accept one’s place in the world without complaint. Hinduism is a way of life – not a religion Why is this so important? The Vedas - are the oldest religious texts in Hinduism. The word Veda means knowledge. The Vedas are mainly comprised of hymns or mantras written in the Sanskrit language. The books are so special that they are often kept in glass cases.

1 December 2016 Goal – Gain a better understanding of Hinduism & Caste system (focused on symbolism) Bellringer – Answer the “Dear History Student” Questions!  Hinduism Caste Man! HW – Read section 5.2 India Assessment 12/9

Bellringer – Dear History Student, 1. I am a Sudra farmer, but I have been practicing my skills, and think I would make the best warrior ever (Kshatriya)! What should I do? ~Wishful Warrior 2. I am a member of the Brahmins, but I think I am falling in love with a Vaisya! What should I do? ~ Love Torn 3. Can you please explain Karma to me? I have heard, “What goes around, comes around.” My teacher says it is also related to Hinduism? Please explain. ~ Confused Student

Brahmins Kshatriyas Vaisyas Sudras Harijan Thighs Arms Mouth Feet

The Sacrifice of Purusa (Poor-ish-a) Sanskrit puruṣa, पुरुष "man, cosmic man" When they divided the Purusa [as the victim at the cosmic sacrifice], into how many parts did they separate him?... The Brahman [“priest”] was his mouth, his two arms became the Rajanya [“ruler”]; his two thighs are the Vaisya [one of “the people,” an artisan, merchant, or farmer], from his two feet the Sudra [“serf” or “servant”] was produced. The moon sprang from his thought organ [manas], (brain) the sun was produced from his eye; from his mouth Indra and Agni, from his breath Vayu [“the wind” was produced. From his navel arose the atmosphere, from his head the heaven evolved; from his two feet the earth, from his ear the directions. Thus they fashioned the worlds. (Rg Veda X.90.11-14) [Thomas J. Hopkins, The Hindu Religious Tradition, 24]

“Purusa” –The Caste Man schools of Hinduism state that there are two ultimate realities whose interaction accounts for all experiences and universe - Prakrti (matter) and Purusa (spirit).[In other words, the universe is envisioned as a combination of perceivable material reality and non-perceivable, non-material laws and principles of nature. Material reality, or Prakrti, is everything that has changed, can change and is subject to cause and effect. Universal principle, or Purusa, is that which is unchanging (aksara)[and is uncaused. The animating causes, fields and principles of nature is Purusa in Hindu philosophy. Hinduism refers to Purusa as the soul of the universe, the universal spirit present everywhere, in everything and everyone, all the times. Purusa is Universal Principle that is eternal, indestructible, without form and all pervasive. It is Purusa in the form of nature’s laws and principles that operate in the background to regulate, guide and direct change, evolution, cause and effect. It is Purusa, in Hindu concept of existence, that breathes life into matter, is the source of all consciousness, one that creates oneness in all life forms, in all of humanity, and the essence of Self. It is Purusa, according to Hinduism, why the universe operates, is dynamic and evolves, as against being static

“Purusa”- The Caste Man Brahmins- The mouth, they speak the faith Kshatriyas- The arms and chest, they are the warriors/rulers Vaisyas- The thighs, they are the farmers and craftspeople (businsess class). (They support the upper levels) Sudras- The feet, they do all the “running.” Harijan (Untouchables)- They aren’t worthy to be on the body