Hinduism A religion of South Asia

Blending of Ideas

Hinduism was formed by a blending of ideas. People began to migrate to India from Persia and other kingdoms in Central Asia, and with them came their

own religious thoughts and ideas.

1000 BCEHinduism was born from an

Aryan religion known as Brahmanism

IndiaHinduism began with the

migration of many different people to the country of India.

The VedasReligious text of Hinduism. There

are four Vedas, each containing sacred hymns and poems.

“The one who is first and possessed of wisdom when born; the god who strove to protect the gods with strength; the one before whose force the two worlds were afraid because of the greatness of his virility [power]: he, O people, is Indra.”

-from the Rigveda, in Reading about the World, Volume I, edited by Paul Brians, et al

The VarnasAccording to the Vedas, there

were four main varnas, or social divisions in Aryan society.

● Brahmins - priests, seen as

the highest varna

● Kshatriyas - rulers and

warriors

● Vaisyas - farmers,

craftspeople, and traders

● Sudras - workers and

servants

Caste SystemThe caste system divided Indian society into groups based on a

person’s birth, wealth, or occupation.

PolytheisticHindus believe in many gods.

Brahma - the creatorSiva - the destroyer

Vishnu - the preserver

Major BeliefsEveryone has a soul

ReincarnationKarma

Everyone has a soul, and a person’s ultimate goal is to reunite their soul with Brahman. This can take multiple lifetimes.

Reincarnation - the process of rebirth

Karma - the effects that good or bad actions have on a person’s soul

A person with bad karma will be reborn into a lower caste or as a lesser creature (pig or ant).

Hinduism Today

Hinduism is mostly concentrated in India. Today, there are over 800 million Indian people who

practice Hinduism.