hinduism global history i: spiconardi. origins developed over thousands of years combining the...
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HinduismGlobal History I: Spiconardi
Origins Developed over thousands of years
combining the beliefs of the Aryans & Indus peoples
NO single founder The word Hindu is derived from the river
Sindhu or Indus
The Universal Spirit Hindus believe in one unifying spirit called
Brahman Brahman is too complex for humans to
understand Hindus worship many gods to give a more
concrete form to Brahman
The Three Main Hindu Gods Brahman The creator
Vishnu The preserver
Shiva The destroyer
Hindu Pantheon
Ātman Ātman our innermost and true selves
It is unchanging (unlike our bodies and minds) We lose sight and awareness of our ātaman in our
search for material things and “true happiness.” We cannot find true happiness this universe
We must achieve moksha
Moksha The main goal of life is to achieve union with
Brahman (moksha) Moksha can only occur when you free
yourself from all your selfish desires Most people cannot achieve moksha in one
lifetime
Reincarnation Reincarnation the soul is reborn in a new
body Each new lifetime allows you to get closer to
moksha Hindus get closer to this union by being born
into higher levels of existence
Karma & Dharma Karma the deeds & actions (both good &
bad) of a person’s life that affects his/her existence in the next life
Dharma The moral & religious duties that are expected by of an individual A persons gender, class/caste, age, & occupation
can affect his/her dharma
The Caste System Caste/Varnas
Social groups into which people are born in & out of
You cannot move into a different caste during your life time
The Caste System
Brahmins (Priests)Brahmins (Priests)
Kshatriyas (Rulers & Warriors)Kshatriyas (Rulers & Warriors)
Vaisyas (merchants, farmers, & artisans)Vaisyas (merchants, farmers, & artisans)
Sudras (non-Aryan farmers & servants)Sudras (non-Aryan farmers & servants)
Untouchable (butchers, gravediggers, trash collectors)Untouchable (butchers, gravediggers, trash collectors)
Other Facts The Ganges River is sacred
Bathing in it can purify, cleanse, and cure the sick Upon death many Hindus are cremated & have some of
their ashes spread in the Ganges Sacred Texts
Bhagavad-Gita most important text; it is a dialogue between a prince and the Vishnu in disguise.
Vedas Book of hymns, prayers, and philosophies
Other Facts Reverence towards the cow (“The Sacred Cow”)
Seen as a symbol of life and nourishment Cow Dung
Used for energy, tilaks (religious markings), & fertilizer
Other Facts
The Bindi Forehead decoration that
symbolizes the relationship status of a Hindu women Red = Married Black = Single
Black can also ward off evil spirits