1. OCTOBER 16, 2017 Turn in Five Pillars Assignment
Get out notebook, ESPN Highlighters, pencil
Hinduism Notes
“My Life, My Religion: Hinduism”
Religions Quiz Oct. 24
HW: Vocab due Oct. 30

2. Hinduism history
Unknown origin, over 4,000 years old, predominantly in India
Combination of several religious beliefs and traditions of ancient India.

4. Fundamental Beliefs of Hinduism
God is in all living things
Brahman
Brahman takes on many forms
Universe is cyclical
Rivers are holy
Ganges
Vegetarianism

5. Fundamental beliefs of Hinduism
Atman- the soul of each individual
Samsara – reincarnation, the soul passes through a series of bodies
Moksha– release from worldly life and unification with the universal spirit (called Brahman)
Dharma – set of religious and ethical duties to which each creature in the universe is subject
- Karma – the effects of the activities on its atman

6. Fundamental Beliefs of Hinduism
No set dogma
Vedas and Upanishads are holy texts

7. caste system Rigid social classes Born into different castes
Social division of the Caste System:
Brahmins - Priests/Rulers
Kshatriyas - Warriors
Vaishyas - Merchants
Shudras - Farmers
Untouchables- Non-Aryans

8. Characteristics of caste system
Born into caste
Different castes had different occupations/roles in society
Could not move between castes in life, only through reincarnation
No inter-marriage of castes