1. Hinduism

2. Early Origins Began in the Indus River Valley
Present day India
Originally an oral belief system passed down form generation to generation through songs and poems
Is later written in the Sanskrit
Thought to be the world’s first writings, perhaps dating back to 5000 BCE

3. The Books
The beliefs are written into the Vedas (“Book of knowledge”)

4. Gods and Goddesses Three primary gods make up the “Hindu Trinity”
Brahma
“The Creator,” mystical creator
All other gods originate from him
Vishnu
“The Preserver,” maintains a balance between good and evil powers in the universe
Shiva
“The Destroyer” or “The Purifier” represents rebirth and death

5. Hindu Beliefs
Dharma
Karma
Reincarnation
Caste System

6. Dharma Doing one’s moral duty in life
Each Person has the responsibility to balance his/her own dharma

7. Karma
Belief that every act or thought has consequences (i.e. “what goes around comes around”)
A person experiences the affects of his or her actions
Living in a balance universe
If an individual disturbs this order, he/she will pay greatly
If you live an ethical and moral life with undisturbed dharma you will be lead to happiness

8. Reincarnation
Cycle of life, death, and rebirth in which a person carries his/her own karma
A person’s worldly status depends upon actions in a past life
People who fulfill their dharma gain good karma and are born into a higher social group in next life
People who don’t live moral lives will be born as members of lower groups or as animals
Over time Nirvana can be reached
Souls final resting place

9. Hindu Caste System

10. Hindu Caste System Continued
People are born into the caste of their parents
One cannot move across caste lines during one’s life
People are expected to marry within their castes
One’s Dharma from their previous life determines their current caste
Today the constitution of India prohibits the caste system and social distinctions
But it is still found in different areas of the country