Hinduism

The Roots of Hinduism

One of the world’s

oldest religions

Grew out of the

beliefs of the

Aryans

Today, nearly 800

million followers

The Vedas

Sacred songs passed down by the Aryans to

Harappans

“Books of Knowledge”

Songs were considered holy and contained hymns

and prayers praising deities, or gods and goddesses

Written in Sanskrit

1st building blocks of Hinduism

Told Hindus how they should live and explained life

Hinduism and Culture

Vedas explained how Hindus believe people were

created and what is the proper way to live

“ The Priest was his mouth; The princes became his

arms; His legs produced the Professionals and

Merchants; His feet gave birth to the servant.

1. Brahmins- priest and scholars

2. Kshatriyas- warriors and rulers

3. Vaisyas- workers (average Joe)

4. Sudras- servants

The Caste System

A way of organizing people into hundreds of

different levels

A person’s place in society is determined by

the rank of the family he or she is born into.

E.g. People born in priestly caste of India have

the highest rank and respect.

Do people have any control over

their caste?

YES!!!

The Vedas state that people move in a constant

cycle of birth, death, and rebirth.

REINCARNATION

Bad deeds done in one’s lifetime must be paid

for in the next life.

What does that mean?

People born as servants are paying for wrongs

done in a past life.

Priests have done many good things in past

lives.

This is KARMA!

Karma is a force created by each person’s

good and bad acts.

How did Hindus know what was

right and wrong?

They followed the dharma of their caste.

Laws and Duties

100s of rules that instructed the Hindus how to

live

Vedas told each caste what jobs they could and

could not do

What happens if I break a law?

Following dharma helped keep society orderly.

The Vedas warned that not following dharma

would result in disorder.

E.g.- people who married against the rules of

the caste or who did a job outside their caste

were forced to live outside of all castes

“outcastes” “untouchables”

Outcastes

Looked down upon by others

Said to be impure

Hindu priests performed a cleansing ceremony

if they were touched by even the shadow of an

outcaste

Had few rights

Because the children of outcastes were born

outside of all castes, they were outcastes

Hinduism Today

800 million followers

Still worship many gods and goddesses.

Favorite gods are: Vishnu, “The One That is The All,” Shiva, “ The God of Time and Destruction,” and Devi, “ The Mother of All Creation.”

Most Hindus worship at home, temples, or special festivals

Vedas are still important, as well as other epics

MAJOR CHANGE TODAY

In 1950, the Indian government

made it illegal to mistreat or to

show disrespect for Hindu

“outcastes.”