Ancient India & Hinduism

How and where did Hinduism begin? Not just one particular founder Indus River Valley Civilization >5000 years ago Early cities had a precise grid system Strong central government Great deal of trade Indus system of writing is not yet deciphered Reason for decline is a mystery to historians The Aryans enter 4000 to 3500 years ago Aryans introduced the Caste System to India

What is Hinduism? One of the oldest religions in the world The religion of the Indian people One main god but with multiple personalities A philosophy and a way of life – focused both on this world and the next

Basic Beliefs Karma - the law of cause and effect; “you reap what you sow” or “what comes around, goes around” Dharma - ones virtuous duty, governs peoples ideas about a proper way of living Moksha – a state of perfect understanding of all things (once you have reached moksha your spiritual journey through life is complete)

Reincarnation Eternal soul is reborn in different bodies until it finds liberation, or reaches moksha People may be reincarnated at a higher or lower level of existence depending on their karma from their present life

Caste System Brahmin - priests Kshatriya - rulers and warriors Vaishyas - peasants and traders Sudra - laborers Untouchables - were considered impure because of their line of work (butchers, grave diggers, trash collectors

Caste System Caste system is validated by karma/reincarnation If born into a higher caste then a person had good karma from a past life and vice versa Is still seen in parts of India even today… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhUwKXIQ5kM

Let’s think about it… Do you think people questioned the caste system? Why or why not? In our society, do we treat people differently who are born into different economic situations? Explain your answer. In American society, do we have different standards for different groups? Do the laws apply to everyone in the United States?

Let’s think about it some more… How is the class/caste system of Ancient India like the class system of the United States? How is it different? How have the teachings of the Hindus influenced our society? Hindus believe in reincarnation. What is your opinion of this concept?

Three Main Hindu Gods Brahma - the Creator Vishnu - the Preserver Shiva - the Destroyer

The Vedas Hindus sacred texts The Vedas would be equivalent to the Bible for Christianity or the Qur’an for Islam

Effects on Society Joint or extended family- all living together Traditional Hindus are vegetarians and have strict diets

Modern Day Traditions Worship is led at home by the father No specific day of worship Usually pray in the hours before and after dawn

Some of the many forms of Hindu gods