Hinduism and Caste System

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Hinduism and Caste System
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What is Hinduism?

• One of the oldest religions of humanity
• Indus River Valley Civilization gt5000 years ago
• The religion of the Indian people
• Tolerance and diversity "Truth is one, paths are
  many"
• Many deities but a single, impersonal Ultimate
  Reality

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What do Hindus believe?

• One impersonal Ultimate Reality Brahman
• Manifest as many personal deities
• True essence of life Atman, the soul, is
  Brahman trapped in matter (That art thou)
• Reincarnation atman is continually born into
  this world lifetime after lifetime (Samsara)
• Karma spiritual impurity due to actions keeps
  us bound to this world (good and bad)

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How does Hinduism directlife in this world?

• Respect for all life vegetarian
• Cows are especially sacred
• Caste System station for that lifetime
• Brahmins (priests, teachers, judges)
• Kshatriyas (warriors)
• Vaisyas (farmers and merchants)
• Sudras (laborers)
• Untouchables (unwanted, dirty jobs)

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Who do Hindus worship? the major gods of the
Hindu Pantheon
Brahma, the creator god
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Who do Hindus worship? the major gods of the
Hindu Pantheon
Vishnu, the preserver god
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Who do Hindus worship? the major gods of the
Hindu Pantheon
Shiva, god of constructive destruction(the
transformer)
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What about the goddesses?
Saraswati, goddess of wisdom, consort ofBrahma
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What about the goddesses?
Lakshmi, goddess of good fortune, consortof
Vishnu
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What about the goddesses?
Parvati, divine mother, wife ofShiva
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All these deities are but Manifest forms
(attributes and functions) of the impersonal
Brahman
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And we too are manifest forms of God!
We are not human beingshaving spiritual
experiencesWe are spiritual beingshaving a
human experience!