1. Today’s Vocab Polytheism: Belief in more than 1 God.
Reincarnation: The belief that all souls/spirits can be born again.
Moksha: The ultimate goal of Hinduism. A state of perfect understanding between Atman and Brahman.
Samsara: The cycle of reincarnation. Atman is born again and again until Moksha is achieved.
Caste System: Social class system within Hinduism. You are a part of the Caste you are born in your entire life.
Dharma: The laws/customs of your Caste.
Karma: How well you follow the Dharma of your Caste.

2. Warm up?
What purpose do religions serve for the people who follow them?

3. ACTIVATING STRATEGY

4. Theology, Enlightenment, Polytheism & Sacred Text
WHAT YOU THINK THE DEFINITION IS
ACTUAL DEFINITION
EXAMPLES
DRAW A PICTURE

5. Major World Religions

6. Commonalities of Major Religions
All religions seek to answer big questions like where did the world come from; what is the purpose of life; what happens after we die, etc.
All religions set out guidelines for how to live, for what is right and wrong, for how to be a good person.

7. Religious experiences occur for some people in all religions
Religious experiences occur for some people in all religions. These involve a feeling of peacefulness, joy, wholeness, and unity with the world. Different religions interpret these experiences differently.
Within each religion there is diversity of belief and practice. Some differences are about emphasis or style, while some are about primary religious questions, such as what is necessary for salvation. Within most religions there are some groups who feel that each word of the sacred text is literally true, while other groups do not.

8. All religions have deeply wise people, who are easily recognizable by anyone.
Most religions have people who wish to devote themselves wholly to their religions, such as monks and nuns.
Religion involves an element of faith, because it posits the existence of something that cannot be experienced by the five senses.

9. Hinduism Possibly the world’s oldest religion, over 4000 yrs. old.
Founder: unknown
Belief that all things in the universe are cyclical

10. Brahman- The absolute universal power, spirit, force.
Polytheistic
Belief in numerous Gods & Goddesses.
Brahman- The absolute universal power, spirit, force.
Can not be understood by humans, so the many Gods worshipped represent aspects of this power.

11. The 3 Main Gods are: Brahma Vishnu Shiva The Creator The Protector
The Destroyer

12. A part of Brahman is in all living things
Atman
Individual soul of living being
Hindus believe in reincarnation
An individual’s soul or spirit born again and again

13. The Goal of Hinduism Moksha Samsara
A state of perfect understanding of the relationship between atman and Brahman
Become enlightened through good Karma and reincarnation.
Samsara
Cycle of reincarnation
Atman or Soul is born again and again until Moksha is achieved

14. Three paths to liberation from Samsara
Yoga
Purification of the mind and body
Devotion
Honoring the Gods
Dharma
Obedience to the laws and customs of your Caste (Social System)

15. BRAHMAN (Moksha)
Priest
Warrior
Farmer/Merchant
Laborer

16. Reincarnation is based on how well you follow your Caste Dharma or duty.
Karma is your record (report card) of your deeds, if it is good you go up, bad you go down.

17. Untouchables or outcastes are not part of the caste system because of bad karma in a past life and are discriminated against.
Gandhi renamed them Harijans (children of God) to help end the discrimination.

18. COMPLETE GRAPHIC ORGANIZER

19. Closing?
What kind of effect do you feel the Caste System has on Hindu society?