HINDUISM The Oldest World Religion

SOUTH ASIAN SUBCONTINENT BCE The Aryan Invaders Mixed with the Indus River Valley Civilization Himalaya Mts. Hindu Kush Mts. Indus River Valley Ganges River Deccan Plateau Monsoons PAKISTAN, INDIA, BANGLADESH, NEPAL

ARYAN INVADERS MIXED THEIR BELIEFS WITH LOCAL INDUS VALLEY DRAVIDIAN BELIEFS

POLYTHEISM

The Gods Brahman - Creator Vishnu- Preserver Ganesha- wisdom and remover of obstacles Shiva- Destroyer Rama

Vedas Upanishads Ramayana Mahabharata Bhagavad Gita. Hinduism has no single holy books but many sacred writings,

KARMA ·Your past life actions have an influence on your current life.

What goes around comes around. ·Do your dharma to get good karma.

REINCARNATION ·THE REBIRTH OF THE SOUL IN NEW FORM. EACH SOUL IS A TINY BIT OF BRAHMAN. REBIRTH IS AUTOMATIC AS A PLANT OR ANIMAL. ONCE HUMAN, IT DEPENDS ON KARMA.

The Goal: MOKSHA An end to the cycle of rebirth and suffering. To rejoin with Brahman (the Universal Soul or God).

HINDU PRACTICES Caste System ·Based on Job ·Based on Heredity ·Must do one’s dharma (caste duties) to progress. ·Provided order and social stability

THE CASTES BRAHMIN: priests and teachers KSHATRIYA: warriors and administrators VAISHYAS: producers, craftsmen, farmers SHUDRAS: menial workers UNTOUCHABLES:Garbage workers, sewer workers, grave diggers

AHIMSA - Nonviolence

Jainism ·Hurt no creature