Hinduism http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPIES1mWCig&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HajYcSAWr2s&feature=related

Location Indus and Ganges River Valley (modern day India & Pakistan)

The Aryans From the Northwest (Caucus Mtns.) Moved from Hindu Kush Mts. Into Indus River Valley

Way of Life Aryans were Nomadic herders & warriors Indus Valley ideal for farming; Aryans gradually begin to farm Dominate other people in the Indus Valley

Language and Traditions No written language; traditions passed down orally Oral Sanskrit develops into written form Aryan warrior herders wrote epics Holy books of Hinduism known as Vedas

Social Structure Ones place in society is important 5 main social classes or Varnas develop Becomes known as CASTE SYSTEM

Caste System Brahmans (priests or scholars) Kshatriyas (warriors) Vaisyas (merchants, artisans, landowners) Sudras (unskilled laborers, servants, farmers) Pariahs or Untouchables (lower than slaves, unclean, impure) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15elGwkFUYE

http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0306/feature1/index.html

Each Varna or Caste had specific duties known as Jati (Warriors-soldiers, generals, etc.) (Think of positions on a sports team; football caste= quarterback, punter, linebacker, etc.)

Cycle of Rebirth Reincarnation: Soul passes through many lifetimes Samsara: The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth Karma: How a person lives his/her life determines what you will return as To move forward, you must perform dharma Creates desire to live good life Goal is moksha, ending cycle of rebirth

REINCARNATION EXAMPLES

Concept of Duty Dharma: the specific duties of each caste Demonstrated in Bhagvad Gita- Warrior Arjuna has to fight his family Dharma is also doing what is proper for one’s age

Universal Spirit Beliefs not based on one book but on beliefs and practices found in Epics Upianishads tell of universal spirit within all life (use the force) All living things have souls Goal is to be separated with material world, unite with Brahman, THE CREATOR

Mahabharata- Similar to Bible; 100,000 verses in length Indian Epics Mahabharata- Similar to Bible; 100,000 verses in length Talks about human ideas and various Gods

Indian Beliefs Believe in numerous Gods and Goddesses (Shiva, Vishnu, Krishna, Ganesh) All these beliefs form Hinduism

MONOTHEISM OR POLYTHEISM It depends on one’s beliefs Can be considered polytheistic (many Gods are worshiped) Can be considered monotheistic (All gods are part of one god Brahma, one God takes many forms)

Shiva The Destroyer Represents change Death, destroying bad habits

Vishnu Preserver and protector of creation Represents mercy and goodness Maintains order & balance As avatars or forms

Brahma Is the creator Light and dark Completes Hindu Trinity

Ganesh Lord of beginings Lord of obstacles Food given as offerings