1. Hinduism

2. The Roots of Hinduism One of the world’s oldest religions One of the world’s oldest religions Grew out of the beliefs of the Aryans Grew out of the beliefs of the Aryans Today, nearly 800 million followers Today, nearly 800 million followers

3. The Vedas Sacred songs passed down by the Aryans to Harappans Sacred songs passed down by the Aryans to Harappans “Books of Knowledge” “Books of Knowledge” Songs were considered holy and contained hymns and prayers praising deities, or gods and goddesses Songs were considered holy and contained hymns and prayers praising deities, or gods and goddesses Written in Sanskrit Written in Sanskrit 1 st building blocks of Hinduism 1 st building blocks of Hinduism Told Hindus how they should live and explained life Told Hindus how they should live and explained life

4. Hinduism and Culture Vedas explained how Hindus believe people were created and what is the proper way to live Vedas explained how Hindus believe people were created and what is the proper way to live “ The Priest was his mouth; The princes became his arms; His legs produced the Professionals and Merchants; His feet gave birth to the servant. “ The Priest was his mouth; The princes became his arms; His legs produced the Professionals and Merchants; His feet gave birth to the servant. 1. Brahmins- priest and scholars 1. Brahmins- priest and scholars 2. Kshatriyas- warriors and rulers 2. Kshatriyas- warriors and rulers 3. Vaisyas- workers (average Joe) 3. Vaisyas- workers (average Joe) 4. Sudras- servants 4. Sudras- servants

5. The Caste System A way of organizing people into hundreds of different levels A way of organizing people into hundreds of different levels A person’s place in society is determined by the rank of the family he or she is born into. A person’s place in society is determined by the rank of the family he or she is born into. E.g. People born in priestly caste of India have the highest rank and respect. E.g. People born in priestly caste of India have the highest rank and respect.

6. Do people have any control over their caste? YES!!! YES!!! The Vedas state that people move in a constant cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. The Vedas state that people move in a constant cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. REINCARNATION REINCARNATION Bad deeds done in one’s lifetime must be paid for in the next life. Bad deeds done in one’s lifetime must be paid for in the next life.

7. What does that mean? People born as servants are paying for wrongs done in a past life. People born as servants are paying for wrongs done in a past life. Priests have done many good things in past lives. Priests have done many good things in past lives. This is KARMA! This is KARMA! Karma is a force created by each person’s good and bad acts. Karma is a force created by each person’s good and bad acts.

8. How did Hindus know what was right and wrong? They followed the dharma of their caste. They followed the dharma of their caste. Laws and Duties Laws and Duties 100s of rules that instructed the Hindus how to live 100s of rules that instructed the Hindus how to live Vedas told each caste what jobs they could and could not do Vedas told each caste what jobs they could and could not do

9. What happens if I break a law? Following dharma helped keep society orderly. Following dharma helped keep society orderly. The Vedas warned that not following dharma would result in disorder. The Vedas warned that not following dharma would result in disorder. E.g.- people who married against the rules of the caste or who did a job outside their caste were forced to live outside of all castes E.g.- people who married against the rules of the caste or who did a job outside their caste were forced to live outside of all castes “outcastes” “untouchables” “outcastes” “untouchables”

10. Outcastes Looked down upon by others Looked down upon by others Said to be impure Said to be impure Hindu priests performed a cleansing ceremony if they were touched by even the shadow of an outcaste Hindu priests performed a cleansing ceremony if they were touched by even the shadow of an outcaste Had few rights Had few rights Because the children of outcastes were born outside of all castes, they were outcastes Because the children of outcastes were born outside of all castes, they were outcastes

11. Many paths to truth Over time, Hinduism developed 100s of different forms.

12. Different Forms, Different Beliefs

13. Some Hindus believed their dharma called them to become priests or to perform special exercises. Some Hindus believed their dharma called them to become priests or to perform special exercises. Some felt it was important to eat no meat, eggs, or fish. Some felt it was important to eat no meat, eggs, or fish. Still others explored non-Hindu beliefs in their search to understand the meaning of life and the proper way to live. Still others explored non-Hindu beliefs in their search to understand the meaning of life and the proper way to live.

14. Was it okay to explore other beliefs? YES!!! YES!!! This did not upset Hindu priests. Hinduism allowed for the worship of more than one god and more than one way to truth!! This did not upset Hindu priests. Hinduism allowed for the worship of more than one god and more than one way to truth!! The important aspect was finding truth! The important aspect was finding truth!

15. Excerpt from Hindu Book, Bhagavad Gita The god, Vishnu, says, “Howsoever people approach me, even so do I accept them; for on all sides, whatever path they may choose is mine.” The god, Vishnu, says, “Howsoever people approach me, even so do I accept them; for on all sides, whatever path they may choose is mine.”

16. Hinduism Today 800 million followers 800 million followers Still worship many gods and goddesses. Still worship many gods and goddesses. Favorite gods are: Vishnu, “The One That is The All,” Shiva, “ The God of Time and Destruction,” and Devi, “ The Mother of All Creation.” Favorite gods are: Vishnu, “The One That is The All,” Shiva, “ The God of Time and Destruction,” and Devi, “ The Mother of All Creation.” Most Hindus worship at home, temples, or special festivals Most Hindus worship at home, temples, or special festivals Vedas are still important, as well as other epics Vedas are still important, as well as other epics

17. MAJOR CHANGE TODAY In 1950, the Indian government made it illegal to mistreat or to show disrespect for Hindu “outcastes.” In 1950, the Indian government made it illegal to mistreat or to show disrespect for Hindu “outcastes.”