Hinduism Sacred Text Vedas: Originally considered so sacred they were not written down. Finally, around 300 B.C. they were written in Sanskrit. There are four collections— Rig-Veda Sama-Veda Yajur-Veda Atharva Veda Together, they are called the Samhitas

Rig-Veda Used by the Hotri 1,028 hymns Indra, god of war is most called on, second was Agni, god of fire.

Sama-Veda Utilized by the udgatri chanters Consists of various parts from the Rig.

Yajur-Veda Used by the advaryu priests. Contains sacrificial formulas

Atharva-Veda Attributed to a sage, or rishi, named Atharvan Consists of a number of hymns and incantations. Believed to have originated pre-aryan. Finally adopted by the Brahmins, highest class of priests.

Upanishads "In the whole world...there is no study...so beneficial and so elevating as that of the Upanishads. They are products of the highest wisdom. They are destined sooner or later to become the faith of the people."  - Schopenhauer. Originally well over 250, today only 11 are looked at. Consist of the last parts of each of the four vedas. Deal with the Atman, the soul or spiritual part of each person.

Yoga To unite or bring together Four distinct paths: Reflective—knowledge (considered the shortest path) Emotional--Love Active--work Experimental--exercise A yogi is one who practices one of the four.

Caste System (varnas) Originated when the aryans first came into what is now Pakistan/India, due to color of skin. Four distinct classes, but each may have a sub-class (jatis) depending on region: Brahmin—highest class. Seers or priests. Kshatriyas—born administrators Vaishyas—artisans and farmers Shudras—servants Untouchables—outside of caste system, did not follow the rules of their caste. Gandhi renamed them harijan or God’s people.

Reincarnation Cycle of birth, death, and rebirth Believed to be the only way to change one’s caste. Good deeds are rewarded in next life, thus bad deeds are punished. (karma) Dharma—rules of each caste of how to live

Bhagavad Gita Gandhi—truth is the sovereign principle, the “book” is the par excellence for the knowledge of truth. Gives god/God human personality in the form of Vishnu.