1. HINDUISM

2. ABOUT HINDUISM… **Hinduism is generally considered to be a polytheistic religion with a belief in many gods. THE ISSUE – trying to make sense about the nature of the universe. Why do things happen? Why are things the way they are?

3. ABOUT HINDUISM… (CONT’D) Upanishads – collection of Hindu ideas written in text (look on page 76 of the book for an excerpt) -Hinduism is predominant in the country of India. - Hinduism was not founded by one person or based on one god like Judaism, Christianity, or Islam. It is a combination of the many beliefs by the different groups who settled in India (IT IS VERY COMPLEX)

4. HINDU BELIEFS A.Upanishads and Veda -Sacred books of the Hindu B. Reincarnation -Ultimate goal is to achieve moksha (oneness with universe or Brahman) -People are reincarnated over several lifetimes to achieve this.

5. HINDU BELIEFS (CONT’D) C. Karma and Dharma -Karma is the way you act in this life affects you fate in the next life (act good and be rewarded in the next life; act bad and you will suffer in the next life) -Dharma is your moral behavior. A. Hindus believe that all existence is ranked from highest forms to lowest (humans, animals, plants, rocks, etc..)

6. HINDU BELIEFS (CONT’D AGAIN) B. Bad dharma = reborn into rock. C. Good dharma = reborn into higher social class of human

7. CASTE SYSTEM The Caste System is the social class system of Hindus (cannot marry outside of your caste) 1. Top – Brahmin – purest form of human; closest to achieving moksha (Ex: priest or monk) 2. Bottom – Pariah “untouchables” – lowest form of humans (Ex: ditch diggers, grave diggers, street cleaners) **also known as “outcastes” because they are such low human beings, they are outside the caste system **they even own wooden clappers to alert people of their presence so they can move out of the way