The Origins of Hinduism

1
The Origins of Hinduism
SIVA
BRAHMA
If Hinduism is a polytheistic religion, what
does that mean? Monotheistic?
2
Indian Society

• According the the Vedas, there were four main
  divisions, or varnas, in Indian society.
• The varnas were
• Brahmins (priests, teachers, and scholars)
• Kshatriyas (rulers and warriors)
• Vaisyas (farmers, craftspeople, and traders)
• Sudras (laborers and non-Aryans)

Brahmins
Kshatriyas
Vaisyas
Why do you think the priests were at the
top of society?
Sudras
3
Indias Caste System
What would life be like if our culture adopted a
caste system like ancient Indias?

• Within the four varnas, there existed many
  castes, or even smaller groups.
• Since there were so many groups, they needed
  sutras, or guides, to keep their rules straight.
• Some rules kept people from higher castes from
  marrying or even talking with those from lower
  castes.

At one time, over 3,000 separate castes existed
in India.
People who broke the rules would be
banned from their castes.
4
Hinduism
Brahma

• Hindus believe in many gods.
• Three of their main gods include
• Brahma the Creator
• Siva the Destroyer
• Vishnu the Preserver
• At the same time, however, Hindus believe that
  each god is part of the universal spirit,
  Brahman.

Vishnu
Siva
5
Life and Rebirth
Being born and reborn into new bodies is called
reincarnation.

• Hindus believe everyone has a soul, or atman,
  inside them.
• Hindus ultimate goal is to unite their atman
  with Brahman, the universal spirit.
• It is hard to join Brahman after one life, so
  Hindus believe their souls are born and reborn
  many times, each time into new bodies.

Tell your neighbor about reincarnation.
6
The Concept of Karma

• Karma is the effects that good or bad actions
  have on a persons soul.
• Hindus believe that a person with bad karma will
  be reborn into a lower caste in society.
• They also believe Hindus with good karma will be
  reborn into a higher caste in society.
• Hindus build good karma by fulfilling the duties
  required of their caste.

Hindus believe they have a DUTY to accept
their place in the caste system. This duty is
called their dharma.
7
Jainism
TELL THE TRUTH
INJURE NO LIFE

• An example of another popular religion in India
  is Jainism.
• Jains, or people who believe in Jainism, believe
  in four basic principles.

OWN NO PROPERTY
DO NOT STEAL
Jains practice nonviolence!