1. Hinduism

2. Dravidians- original people of Indus/ Ganges River valleys, forced to move by Aryans Aryans-nomadic, warlike, fair-skinned, came from Central Asia and conquered India, many aspects of their culture can be found in Hinduism Contributions- sacred writings, belief in the soul and reincarnation, caste system..... Dravidians- original people of Indus/ Ganges River valleys, forced to move by Aryans Aryans-nomadic, warlike, fair-skinned, came from Central Asia and conquered India, many aspects of their culture can be found in Hinduism Contributions- sacred writings, belief in the soul and reincarnation, caste system.....

3. One of the world’s oldest religions Unlike most other religions, Hinduism has no single founder, no single scripture, and no commonly agreed set of teachings. For these reasons, writers often refer to Hinduism as 'a way of life' or 'a family of religions' rather than a single religion. One of the world’s oldest religions Unlike most other religions, Hinduism has no single founder, no single scripture, and no commonly agreed set of teachings. For these reasons, writers often refer to Hinduism as 'a way of life' or 'a family of religions' rather than a single religion. What is Hinduism?

4. No founder No formal church-people worship at home or in a temple many sacred texts/writings No founder No formal church-people worship at home or in a temple many sacred texts/writings How is it organized? Basic Belief- All living things have a soul

5. Brahman- The Supreme Being; creator and sustainer of the universe; all-powerful spirit Most Hindus believe in Brahman, whose qualities and forms are represented by the thousands of gods and goddesses which come from him. Brahman- The Supreme Being; creator and sustainer of the universe; all-powerful spirit Most Hindus believe in Brahman, whose qualities and forms are represented by the thousands of gods and goddesses which come from him. What is Brahman?

6. Brahma-the creator Vishnu-the preserver Shiva-the destroyer Brahma-the creator Vishnu-the preserver Shiva-the destroyer Hindu Triad

7. Brahma Vishnu Shiva

8. Atman-the soul...leaves the body at death and moves to a new life form, where a soul goes is based on its behavior during its life Reincarnation/Samsara- Reincarnation/Samsara-the belief that the soul continues through a series of lives on a journey to nirvana (ultimate resting place) Atman-the soul...leaves the body at death and moves to a new life form, where a soul goes is based on its behavior during its life Reincarnation/Samsara- Reincarnation/Samsara-the belief that the soul continues through a series of lives on a journey to nirvana (ultimate resting place) The Cycles of the soul

9. Karma- Karma--”to do” -sum of all of your good and bad thoughts and actions -good karma=better place next life -bad karma=soul moves down Ahimsa-concept of non-violence to all living things Karma- Karma--”to do” -sum of all of your good and bad thoughts and actions -good karma=better place next life -bad karma=soul moves down Ahimsa-concept of non-violence to all living things

10. Dharma- Dharma--moral and social responsibilities in a person’s life that must be followed -is determined by your caste -is determined by your caste -do your dharma=get good karma -do your dharma=get good karma Transmigration- Transmigration--when the soul leaves the body at death and moves to a new life form Moksha/Nirvana--the ultimate resting place-end of the cycle of reincarnation Dharma- Dharma--moral and social responsibilities in a person’s life that must be followed -is determined by your caste -is determined by your caste -do your dharma=get good karma -do your dharma=get good karma Transmigration- Transmigration--when the soul leaves the body at death and moves to a new life form Moksha/Nirvana--the ultimate resting place-end of the cycle of reincarnation

11. Society was broken into castes based on occupation Born unequal in ability and opportunity Stay in the caste you were born into for life No intermarriage-must marry someone from you own caste Pollution- contact with members of a lower caste can pollute your soul Vegetarianism- no meat, except Kshatriya Society was broken into castes based on occupation Born unequal in ability and opportunity Stay in the caste you were born into for life No intermarriage-must marry someone from you own caste Pollution- contact with members of a lower caste can pollute your soul Vegetarianism- no meat, except Kshatriya The Caste System

12. 4 Main Varna Brahmin-priests/teachers Kshatriya- warrior/politicians Vaishya- merchants/business men Sudra-laborers/servants Untouchables- street cleaners, lowest jobs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oh_xvKLhZHg