2. FrontPage: NNIGN Homework: Reading Guide 8.1 due tomorrow

3. FrontPage: If you could be reborn, what would you like to come back as? Homework: No homework FUNNY, OFFBEAT HOLIDAYS IN FEBRUARY 4 Thank a Mailman Day 9 Toothache Day 13 Get a Different Name Day 14 National Organ Donor Day 15 Singles Awareness Day 22 International World Thinking Day 23 International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day 24 National Tortilla Chip Day 28 Public Sleeping Day 28 National Tooth Fairy Day

4. Hinduism Basic Beliefs and History

5. An Overview of Hinduism

6. One of the most widely practiced religions in the world –700 million followers, 1 in 8 are Hindu

7. An Ancient Path

8. Basic Hindu Beliefs Brahman –Name Hindus give to the single supreme force Complex, nameless, formless, unlimited Other gods Hindus worship are part of this force –Main other gods include: Brahma - Creator Vishnu – Preserver Shiva - Destroyer

9. Basic Beliefs: Reincarnation –Rebirth of the soul in various forms; could be anything –Goal is to “get it right”; moksha – freeing of the soul from body to unite with Brahman **Hindus believe people are born again and again until they achieve moksha

10. Basic Beliefs: Karma Idea that everything you do affects your position in the next life Also, your present situation is a result of your past lives Law of karma: Good actions = Good Karma = better next life

11. Basic Beliefs: Caste system –Developed from the four Aryan social classes –Person born into caste, stays for life **Hindus believe you must perform your dharma, or the duties of your caste, to improve your caste position in the next life

12. Sacred Texts Vedas: contain eternal truths –Originally developed by the Aryans Upanishads: help to explain the ideas contained in the Vedas Epics – Ramayana, Mahabharata –Contain various Hindu ideas