1. Ancient India & Hinduism

2. How and where did Hinduism begin?
Not just one particular founder
Indus River Valley Civilization >5000 years ago
Early cities had a precise grid system
Strong central government
Great deal of trade
Indus system of writing is not yet deciphered
Reason for decline is a mystery to historians
The Aryans enter 4000 to 3500 years ago
Aryans introduced the Caste System to India

3. What is Hinduism? One of the oldest religions in the world
The religion of the Indian people
One main god but with multiple personalities
A philosophy and a way of life – focused both on this world and the next

4. Basic Beliefs
Karma - the law of cause and effect; “you reap what you sow” or “what comes around, goes around”
Dharma - ones virtuous duty, governs peoples ideas about a proper way of living
Moksha – a state of perfect understanding of all things (once you have reached moksha your spiritual journey through life is complete)

5. Reincarnation
Eternal soul is reborn in different bodies until it finds liberation, or reaches moksha
People may be reincarnated at a higher or lower level of existence depending on their karma from their present life

6. Caste System Brahmin - priests Kshatriya - rulers and warriors
Vaishyas - peasants and traders
Sudra - laborers
Untouchables - were considered impure because of their line of work (butchers, grave diggers, trash collectors

7. Caste System Caste system is validated by karma/reincarnation
If born into a higher caste then a person had good karma from a past life and vice versa
Is still seen in parts of India even today…

8. Let’s think about it…
Do you think people questioned the caste system? Why or why not?
In our society, do we treat people differently who are born into different economic situations? Explain your answer.
In American society, do we have different standards for different groups? Do the laws apply to everyone in the United States?

9. Let’s think about it some more…
How is the class/caste system of Ancient India like the class system of the United States? How is it different?
How have the teachings of the Hindus influenced our society?
Hindus believe in reincarnation. What is your opinion of this concept?

10. Three Main Hindu Gods Brahma - the Creator Vishnu - the Preserver
Shiva - the Destroyer

11. The Vedas Hindus sacred texts The Vedas would be equivalent to
the Bible for Christianity or the
Qur’an for Islam

12. Effects on Society Joint or extended family- all living together
Traditional Hindus are vegetarians and have strict diets

13. Modern Day Traditions Worship is led at home by the father
No specific day of worship
Usually pray in the hours before and after dawn

14. Some of the many forms of Hindu gods