2. Top 5 World Religions ReligionBelievers are called… Christianity (2.1 billion) Christian Islam (1.5 billion) Muslim Hinduism (900 million) Hindu Buddhism (376 million) Buddhist Sikhism (23 million) Sikh DON’T WRITE

3. What is religion? A set of beliefs about the nature of the universe, the existence of one or more gods, and the meaning of life. A set of beliefs about the nature of the universe, the existence of one or more gods, and the meaning of life. A set of customs related to the worship of a god or gods and a set of rules for proper conduct. A set of customs related to the worship of a god or gods and a set of rules for proper conduct.

4. Religious Concepts: Religious Concepts: Creation Creation Salvation Salvation

5. Religions of India ReligionPercentage in India Hindu82.6% Islam11.4% Christian2.4% Sikh2.0% Buddhist.7% Jain.5% DON’T WRITE

7. I. FACTS About 80% of India’s pop. is Hindu. About 80% of India’s pop. is Hindu. There’s no founder. There’s no founder. There’s no unified beliefs. There’s no unified beliefs.

8. There’s no formal religious leaders. There’s no formal religious leaders. Hindus may worship at a shrine, temple, at home or outside. Hindus may worship at a shrine, temple, at home or outside. The Ganges River is considered sacred. The Ganges River is considered sacred.

9. 1. Brahman Def: The all-powerful, spiritual force in everything. Def: The all-powerful, spiritual force in everything. It’s like the world’s soul. It’s like the world’s soul. Hindus worship many gods that give a concrete form to Brahman: Hindus worship many gods that give a concrete form to Brahman: II. BELIEFS

10. 1. B rahma –the Creator 2. V ishnu- the Preserver 3. S hiva- the Destroyer

11. 2. Reincarnation Def: Rebirth of the soul in another form Def: Rebirth of the soul in another form A person’s soul never dies. It reappears after death in another person or animal. A person’s soul never dies. It reappears after death in another person or animal. Symbol: wheel of life Symbol: wheel of life

12. 3. Moksha Def: The end of the reincarnation cycle Def: The end of the reincarnation cycle The soul is free of all pain and merges (comes together) with Brahman. The soul is free of all pain and merges (comes together) with Brahman. It’s like heaven and is the goal of Hindus. It’s like heaven and is the goal of Hindus. It cannot be achieved in one lifetime. One must go through reincarnation. It cannot be achieved in one lifetime. One must go through reincarnation.

13. 4. Karma Def: A A A Actions in this life that determine your status in the next life. GOOD deeds = HIGHER status in next life BAD “ “ = = LOWER “ “ “ “

14. 5. Dharma Def: Religious and moral duties done in this life to acquire merit for the next life. Def: Religious and moral duties done in this life to acquire merit for the next life. These vary based on class (caste), gender, job and age These vary based on class (caste), gender, job and age You must overcome your own desires to do your duty. You must overcome your own desires to do your duty.

16. 6. Ahimsa Def: non-violence Def: non-violence All people and things are aspects (parts) of Brahman and should be respected All people and things are aspects (parts) of Brahman and should be respected UN Declares Mahatma Gandhi’s Birth Anniversary As “International Non- Violence Day” The United Nations General Assembly has decided to declare October 2 - the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi—as ‘International Day of Non-Violence’ in recognition of his role in promoting the message of peace around the world.

17. 7. Sacred Texts The Vedas The Vedas The Upanishads The Upanishads The Mahabharata The Mahabharata (the Bhagavad Gita is the most famous part) The Ramayana The Ramayana Scene from the Ramayana. Prince Rama wins the heart of Princess Sita and obtains her hand in marriage after stringing and breaking the mighty bow belonging to Shiva, which no other man could even lift.