Hinduism• Polytheistic• Began 3000 years ago from Central Asian nomads• Vedas- religious teachings, hymns, incantations & rituals• Blended with Indian religious ideas to become Hinduism

An Ideal Way of Life• Karma– A person’s actions and

conduct in this life determine the fate of his or her next life

• Dharma– One’s duty during one’s

lifetime

• Reincarnation– Belief that the soul or

one being is transferred to another

– People hope to live their lives well

– People hope to be reincarnated into higher forms

– Eternal truth, live without material things

Hindu Gods/Godesses

• Brahman- creator of the universe

Vishnu

• Preserver of the Universe

Shiva

• Destroyer

Krishna

• Reminds Hindus to fulfill their duties

Sacred Animals Living creatures and Helpful

• Cows– Allowed to roam freely– Provide milk and plow

fields– Do not eat beef– Hindu law protects

against killing• Associations– Eternal Mother– Krishna- cow herder

Elephants• Ganesha the

Protector- part elephant

• Symbolizes– Good luck– Prosperity– Protection

• Swastika- evolution or involution of Earth; rays of the Sun; 4 directions & stability

Buddhism• Founder- Guatama

Siddhartha around 500 BC• Royal prince lived life of

luxury; kept from pain, suffering and evils

• Left royalty to help poor and become religious teacher

• Buddha- Enlightened One

• Spiritual Enlightenment- peace comes from– Releasing desires for

wealth & power– One person is NOT

better than another• People should pray, live

simply, and do good deeds

Islam• Monotheistic- Allah• 610 A.D.• Mohammed in Saudi

Arabia heard divine revelations ; Koran

• Islam- peace & submission to God

• Five Pillars of Faith

India & Pakistan Relations• British Colonization

– Pitted religions against one another

• WWII- Muslim Indians supported British; Hindus wanted independence and were against the war

• 1947, Pakistan created for Muslims

• Indians won freedom from Britain

• 10 million people moved to and from Pakistan & India

• Kashmir Province- led by a Hindu who chose to stay with India; region was 85% Muslim & Pakistan claimed ownership

India & It’s Neighbors Vocabulary

1. Cyclone2. Karma3. Cottage industry4. Green revolution5. Dzong6. Jute

7. Monsoon8. Caste9. Subcontinent10. Prime Minister11. Reincarnation12. Koran/Quran