Hinduism and the Caste System

What did these religions have in common??

Hinduism

• Please turn to page 76 in you textbook.

• Read the section on Hinduism

• What differences exist between Hinduism and the religions of Southwest Asia?

Durga: Goddess that kills demons

Ram: God born to free world from cruelty

Hinduism in the World• Turn to page 76 in your textbook and look at the

map titled “World Religions”.• Answer in a complete sentence: Which South

Asian country has the largest percentage of Hindus?

Beliefs in Hinduism: #1 Reincarnation

• Use page 571-572 “Hinduism” to answer the following questions:

• 1. What is reincarnation?

• 2. What determines how a person is reincarnated?

• 3. What is dharma?

The Caste System

Directions: 1. Please turn in your textbook to pg. 5722. Use this page to help you complete the Caste System section of your worksheet. This includes question #7 and the diagram question #8.

Hinduism: The Caste System

• Define caste system.

THE CASTE SYSTEMTHE CASTE SYSTEM

Brahmins: Priest and Scholars

Brahmins: Priest and Scholars• Please record their

jobs or positions in society on the triangle or next to the name. Brahmins

BRAHMINS

THE CASTE SYSTEM

Task Would this represent high status or low status?

In the United States what group of people might be at the top?

Kshatriyas: Rulers, Warriors, or Land Owners

Kshatriyas: Rulers, Warriors, or Land Owners

• (Record their jobs or positions in society on the triangle or next to the name.)

Brahmins

Kshatriyas

THE CASTE SYSTEM

BRAHMINS

Kshatriyas

Vaisyas: Farmers and Merchants

Vaisyas: Farmers and Merchants

• (Record their jobs or positions in society on the triangle or next to the name.)

Brahmins

Kshatriyas

Vaisyas

THE CASTE SYSTEM

BRAHMINS

Kshatriyas

Vaisya

Sudras: Artisans and Laborers

Sudras: Artisans and Laborers

• (Record their jobs or positions in society on the triangle or next to the name.)

Brahmins

Kshatriyas

Vaisyas

Sudras

THE CASTE SYSTEM

BRAHMINS

Kshatriyas

Vaisyas

Sudras

Untouchables • Untouchables are outside

the caste system.• Lowest status in Indian

society.• Jobs and life include:

– dirty jobs like sewage workers or cremating dead bodies

– live in extreme poverty or homeless

Hinduism: The Caste System• Please add the Untouchables

on your graphic organizer.

Task • Are there class systems in the

United States?• What group would be

“untouchables”?• How does the caste system

affect the daily lives of Hindus?

Brahmins

Kshatriyas

Vaisyas

Sudras

Untouchables

THE CASTE SYSTEM

BRAHMINS

Kshatriyas

Vaisyas

Sudras

UNTOUCHABLES

The Caste System Today

• The government has passed laws to make the caste system illegal.

• However the caste system is a strong tradition held in Indian society.

• This is a struggle as India is trying to take steps towards modernization.

Diet of Hindus

• In Hinduism the cow is seen as a sacred animal.

• Therefore Hindus do not eat beef.

http://www.csuchico.edu/~cheinz/syllabi/asst001/spring98/india.htm

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