1. Hinduism http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPIES1mWCig&feature=related

2. Location
Indus and Ganges River Valley (modern day India & Pakistan)

3. The Aryans From the Northwest (Caucus Mtns.)
Moved from Hindu Kush Mts. Into Indus River Valley

4. Way of Life Aryans were Nomadic herders & warriors
Indus Valley ideal for farming; Aryans gradually begin to farm
Dominate other people in the Indus Valley

5. Language and Traditions
No written language; traditions passed down orally
Oral Sanskrit develops into written form
Aryan warrior herders wrote epics
Holy books of Hinduism known as Vedas

7. Social Structure Ones place in society is important
5 main social classes or Varnas develop
Becomes known as CASTE SYSTEM

8. Caste System Brahmans (priests or scholars) Kshatriyas (warriors)
Vaisyas (merchants, artisans, landowners)
Sudras (unskilled laborers, servants, farmers)
Pariahs or Untouchables (lower than slaves, unclean, impure)

11. Each Varna or Caste had specific duties known as Jati (Warriors-soldiers, generals, etc.)
(Think of positions on a sports team; football caste= quarterback, punter, linebacker, etc.)

12. Cycle of Rebirth Reincarnation: Soul passes through many lifetimes
Samsara: The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth
Karma: How a person lives his/her life determines what you will return as
To move forward, you must perform dharma
Creates desire to live good life
Goal is moksha, ending cycle of rebirth

13. REINCARNATION EXAMPLES

14. Concept of Duty Dharma: the specific duties of each caste
Demonstrated in Bhagvad Gita- Warrior Arjuna has to fight his family
Dharma is also doing what is proper for one’s age

15. Universal Spirit
Beliefs not based on one book but on beliefs and practices found in Epics
Upianishads tell of universal spirit within all life (use the force)
All living things have souls
Goal is to be separated with material world, unite with Brahman, THE CREATOR

16. Mahabharata- Similar to Bible; 100,000 verses in length
Indian Epics
Mahabharata- Similar to Bible; 100,000 verses in length
Talks about human ideas and various Gods

17. Indian Beliefs
Believe in numerous Gods and Goddesses (Shiva, Vishnu, Krishna, Ganesh)
All these beliefs form Hinduism

18. MONOTHEISM OR POLYTHEISM
It depends on one’s beliefs
Can be considered polytheistic (many Gods are worshiped)
Can be considered monotheistic (All gods are part of one god Brahma, one God takes many forms)

19. Shiva
The Destroyer
Represents change
Death, destroying bad habits

20. Vishnu Preserver and protector of creation
Represents mercy and goodness
Maintains order & balance
As avatars or forms

21. Brahma
Is the creator
Light and dark
Completes Hindu Trinity

22. Ganesh
Lord of beginings
Lord of obstacles
Food given as offerings