South%20Asia%20Religions

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South Asia Religions
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Hinduism
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Origin

• Hinduism is an ethnic religion that evolved in
  South Asia beginning about 3,500 years ago.

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Diffusion and Current Distribution

• Hinduism (shown above in hot pink) has
  approximately 806 million adherents worldwide. It
  is the main religion in India and Nepal. It has
  diffused to other parts of the world by Indians
  who have relocated elsewhere.

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Fundamental Beliefs of Hinduism

• No single founder.
• No single sacred text.
• Some see Hinduism as polytheistic, others as
  monotheistic

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Caste System

• The caste system divides Hindus into four
  societal divisions based on occupation
• When followed strictly, members of different
  castes do not marry, socialize, or interact with
  members of other castes
• The caste system is officially outlawed in India
  and is disappearing in cities where economic
  advancement is possible
• In some rural areas, the caste system is still
  adhered to.

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Divisions/Jobs of the Caste System
you will need to know the order of the Caste
System as well as the jobs associated with each
caste

• Brahmins--priestly caste
• Kshatriyas--nobles/warriors/protectors Doctors,
  lawyers, CEO
• Vaishyas--merchants/land owner
• Shudrasservants/artisans/laborers
• Dalits/untouchables do the nastiest jobs ever.

Highest Level
Lowest Level
Dalits are deemed so inferior they are not
even recognized by caste system
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Caste System

• Brahman

Priest
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Caste System

• Kshatriya major govt officials, large land
  owners, doctors, lawyers, high level leadership

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Caste System

• Vaishya skilled labor, merchants, land owners
  and minor officials

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Caste System

• Shudra unskilled labor

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Caste System

• Dalits/untouchables are outside the caste system.

Making dung patties to use for fuel.
Cleaning the sewer.
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Fundamental Beliefs of Hinduism

• Dharma the duties to family and caste.

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Fundamental Beliefs of Hinduism

• Karma
• All actions have future consequences--rewards or
  punishments (in this life or the next).
• Karma increases as dharma is followed
• .

Vs.
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Fundamental Beliefs of Hinduism

• Samsara
• Belief in reincarnation

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Fundamental Beliefs of Hinduism

• Moksha
• The final release from reincarnation.
• (sort of a Hindu heaven)

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How do dharma, kharma, samsara, and moksha fit
together?

1. By performing dharma, a Hindu builds up karma.
2. With good karma, when they are reincarnated
   (samsara) they will be born into a higher caste
3. Brahmans with good karma reach moksha.
4. If you build bad karma, you a reincarnated to a
   lower caste!

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Sacred Space

• Ganges River, the sacred
• river of Hinduism

Every day, 60,000 people bathe in the waters of
the ganges at Veranasi.
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Hindu Practices

• Cows are seen as sacred.

Killing or harming a cow is prohibited.
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Varanasi

• For centuries, Hindus have flocked to Varanasi, a
  city on the Ganges River, in the belief that
  dying here frees the soul of sin and ends the
  cycle of life, death and rebirth.

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Hindu Practices the Bindi

• The dot on a Hindus forehead symbolizes the
  third eye of spiritual sight. The custom is for
  unmarried women to wear black marks, and married
  women to wear red. However, today women often
  wear dots that match the color of their saris (or
  outfit).

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Important Texts

• The Vedas oldest text of Hinduism, the basic
  ideas of Hindusim

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Important Texts

• Upanishads Hindu philosophies and discussions
  between sages and priests

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Important Texts

• Bhagivad Gita a human prince, Arjuna, seeks help
  from Hindu diety Krishna

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Hindu Deities

• Hinduism is polytheistic. There are three main
  deities.
• --Brahma--The Creator
• --Vishnu--The Preserver
• --Shiva--The Destroyer

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Hindu Deities

• Brahma the Creator
• Often portrayed with four faces for the four
  points of the compass
• Brahma does not take an interest in day-to day
  life (not as widely worshiped).

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Hindu Deities

• Vishnu the Preserver
• Vishnu is in charge of human fate.
• Vishnu has the largest number of followers within
  Hinduism.

Vishnu and his wife, Lakshmi
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Hindu Deities

• When balance needs to be restored to the earth,
  Vishnu comes to earth as an avatar.

Rama Seventh Avatar
Buddha Ninth Avatar
Krishna Eighth Avatar
The tenth Avatar is yet to come.
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Hindu Dieties

• Shiva the Destroyer
• Shiva is the source of both good and evil.
• He is also the one who creates new life.

Shiva and his family. Shiva (left), Parvati
(right), and Ganesha (middle).
Shiva as Lord of the Dance
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Hindu Practices Puja

• Puja is individual worship in the form of faith
  offerings made to representations of the gods.
• This is often a normal part of daily life
  designed to meet daily needs e.g. requests for
  good health. It may also precede important
  events.

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Hindu Practices Puja

• Items at the home altar include water, a bell, a
  lamp, an incense burner, and a tray with flowers,
  fruit, or freshly-cooked food.
• All five of the senses are engaged.

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Hindu Practices Yoga

• Yoga is used to heighten awareness during
  meditation.

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Hindu Practices

• Cremation at death is the custom

Cremation ghats in Benares
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Islam in South Asia
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• Islam (shown above in green) is the main religion
  in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and the Maldives.
• There is tension in the region between Muslims
  and Hindus.

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Sikhism
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Sikhism Origin

• Sikhism is a monotheistic religion that
  originated in the Punjab region of NW India and
  NE Pakistan.
• Sikhism is an ethnic relgion

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Sikhism Diffusion and Current Distribution

• Sikhism has spread to other parts of the world as
  Sikhs have relocated.
• Today, it is still most commonly found in India.

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Sikhism Basic Beliefs

• Monotheistic
• All are equal before god
• Earn an honest living
• Share with others
• No smoking, drinking

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The 5 Ks
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The Dress Turban

• Sikhs do not cut their hair and are required to
  keep it covered at all times.
• They wear a turban, shown here.
• The turban is also worn symbolically as a message
  to others saying I am a Sikh and you can count
  on me for help.

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Buddhism
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Origin

• Buddhism originated in northern India around 1500
  years ago

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Diffusion and Distribution

• Buddhism is the main religion of Nepal, Bhutan
  and Sri Lanka.
• Buddhism has spread over time from India to the
  north and east of the region