India’s Religious Traditions Hinduism

Hinduism Major religion in India (83%) Major religion in India (83%) Polytheistic = worship many gods Polytheistic = worship many gods Believe in nonviolence & respect nature Believe in nonviolence & respect nature Believe in reincarnation = rebirth of the soul in various forms Believe in reincarnation = rebirth of the soul in various forms Believe in Karma = every deed in this life affects a person’s fate in a future life. (What goes around comes around.) Believe in Karma = every deed in this life affects a person’s fate in a future life. (What goes around comes around.)

3 Main Hindu Gods Brahma = creator Brahma = creator Vishnu = preserver Vishnu = preserver Siva (Shiva) = destroyer Siva (Shiva) = destroyer

Brahma the Creator

Vishnu the Preserver

Siva the Destroyer

The Caste System a strict system of social classes. a strict system of social classes. established at birth established at birth each has a traditional job each has a traditional job friendship & marriage rarely exist between different castes friendship & marriage rarely exist between different castes

Four Main Categories Brahmans = priests or scholars Brahmans = priests or scholars Kshatriyas = rulers or warriors Kshatriyas = rulers or warriors Vaisyas = merchants or professionals Vaisyas = merchants or professionals Sudras = laborers & servants Sudras = laborers & servants

Dharma Duties & obligations. (Guide of conduct - how you should act.) Duties & obligations. (Guide of conduct - how you should act.) Each caste has its own dharma Each caste has its own dharma

Untouchables lowest caste, held jobs that were thought of as “impure,” dealing with hair, leather or blood. lowest caste, held jobs that were thought of as “impure,” dealing with hair, leather or blood untouchables were given equal rights untouchables were given equal rights

Untouchables