1. Read Sections 15.4 and 15.5 to learn more on Hindu beliefs about Brahman and other deities.
Record these notes on one section of your mandala.
Section 15.4, page
Record three key points that describe some Hindus’ beliefs about Brahman.
How did followers of the Ancient Vedic religion and Brahmanism communicate with their deities?
List three details that describe Hindu temples.
Draw a circle. In that circle, draw a visual or symbol that shows how time is expressed in many Indian traditions.
Section 15.5, page 163
Record three key points that describe Hindu beliefs about deities.
What effects do these beliefs have on life in India?

2. Visual: Hindu beliefs
Knowing what you know now, what do these figures represent?
From your reading, what else in the image do you know understand more clearly?

3. What do you see?
What different roles are shown?
How is the figure in the center different from the others? Who might the figure be?
Why do you think the artist chose to arrange the parts of this image life a flower?
The image illustrates Hindu beliefs about dharma.

4. Read Sections 15.6 to learn more about dharma.
Record these notes on another section of your mandala.
Section 15.6, page
Record three key points that describe Hindu beliefs about dharma.
What effects do these beliefs have on life in India?

5. Visual: Dharma
Knowing what you know now, why did the artist choose to arrange the parts of this image like a flower?
From your reading, what else in the image do you know understand more clearly?

6. What do you see?
What details indicate that this image is divided into three sections?
How would you describe the actions of the figures in the middle section?
What might the artist trying to show about the effects of people’s actions?
The image illustrates Hindu beliefs about karma.

7. Read Sections 15.7 to learn more about karma.
Record these notes on another section of your mandala.
Section 15.7, page
Record three key points that describe Hindu beliefs about karma.
What effects do these beliefs have on life in India?

8. Visual: Karma
Knowing what you know now, what was the artist likely trying to show about the effects of people’s actions?
From your reading, what else in the image do you know understand more clearly?

9. What do you see?
Which eight figures represent the same person?
Where is the breath going as it rises from the figure on the lower left?
What might the breath and the differently dressed figures represent?
The image illustrates Hindu beliefs about reincarnation, or samsara.

10. Read Sections 15.8 to learn more about reincarnation.
Record these notes on another section of your mandala.
Section 15.8, page
Record three key points that describe Hindu beliefs about reincarnation.
What effects do these beliefs have on life in India?

11. Visual: Reincarnation
Knowing what you know now, what do the breath and the differently dressed figures represent?
From your reading, what else in the image do you know understand more clearly?

12. Which of these four beliefs have most influenced life in India?

13. Assignment
Create an acrostic poem for the word Hinduism.
Include sentences for each letter in the word Hinduism.
Use at least these terms: Sanskrit, Ramayana, nonviolence, reincarnation, pilgrimage, and meditation. Underline them.
Also, underline any other key terms that you use.
Summarize ways Hindu beliefs have influenced life in India.
Try to add rhyme and/or rhythm to your lines!
H indus are expected to follow a common dharma, or set of values, such as sharing food with others and practicing nonviolence. I N D U S M

14. Hinduism 3rd largest religion in the world
Believed that deities controlled forces of nature
Brahman was their universal spirit.
Believed in reincarnation & that you would have many lives before you were united with Brahman.
Dharma - If you did your duty & you were happy about doing it, then this would help you to be reincarnated into a better caste system.
Karma - If you were good, then good things would happen, and if you were bad, then bad things would happen to you.