Caste in StoneIntroduction to Hinduism

“There is only one God, but endless are his aspects and endless are his names”

The vast majority of Hindus live in India and Nepal. Approx. 83% of Indians belong to this faith.

Basic Beliefs• No prophet

• No book

• No dogma

• Poetic phrases used to express their philosophy

“Truth is one, the wise perceive it many ways”

How is this different from most other religions?

Gods and Goddesses

Numerous gods, but all manifestations of one supreme being

The universe has been created, sustained and destroyed many times

Brahman- who created the worldnot worshipped by the

individual

THE TWO MOST POPULAR GODS

SHIVA VISHNU

Reincarnation

Reincarnation is the rebirth of the soul after death into the body of another. This belief has resulted in a caste system.

People may be reincarnated at a higher or lower level of existence depending on their karma from their present life.

People may be reborn as plants or animals or they may be elevated to a higher caste as a human.

Death is not final for Hindus as they expect to be reborn many times.

If you could choose, what would you want to be reincarnated as?

Caste SystemFour major castes

Brahmin : priests, highest caste

Kshatriya: warriors and administrators

Vaistrya: farmers, merchants, teachers, artisans

Sudras: servants,laborers

Outcasts and untouchables

How would your life be different, if the our country adopted the caste system?

The Sacred CowAll Hindus avoid eating beef since they venerate the cow. 40,000 cows wander the streets of New DelhiWhy:

Given years of faithful service to manProvide man with milkProvide man with fuelCow was created on the same day as the BrahminsSymbol of motherhood