World's oldest living religionOriginated in India

around 4,000 years ago.

Most Hindus live in India

3rd largest religion in worldOver 900 million

followers

Diwali: The Festival of Lights

Basic Beliefs No prophet or founder Sacred texts

Vedas (contain eternal truths)Upanishads (help explain the Vedas)

Henotheistic: Worship of one god without denying the existence of other gods

Hindu Temple

Hindu Gods and Goddesses Gods are all manifestations of one supreme

being, Brahman or the Universal Spirit. The universe has been created, sustained, and

destroyed many times. 3 major expressions of Brahman who rule over

the universe: Brahma, who created the world

○ G for generatorVishnu, who sustains the universe for 432 million

human years ○ O for operator

Shiva, who destroys the universe. This begins the cycle again. ○ D for destroyer

Reincarnation and Afterlife Reincarnation is the rebirth of the soul

after death into the body of another Resulted in a caste system.

Ultimate goal: achieve moksha, the union of atman (soul) with Brahman (Universal Spirit)

Whether one achieves moksha is determined by karma: every deed, mental and physical in this life affects a person’s fate in a future life

The Caste System Developed in ancient times from the 4 social

classes of the Aryans Set up as a strict social and religious order Born into one caste and stayed there for life Could only marry within your own caste Your caste is the result of karma Each caste has its own dharma: duties and

obligations to one’s caste “Do your dharma, get good karma”