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Hinduism

In this lesson, students will be able to identify key beliefs of the Hindu religion.

Students will be able to identify and/or define the following terms:

The Caste System

Karma

Dharma

Reincarnation

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Hinduism is an important religion in India.This is the Hindu symbol for Om. It

represents the divine.

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The Aryans

• The Aryans invaded India around 1500 B.C.

• When the Aryans invaded India, they brought their religious beliefs.

• Hinduism is a religion largely based on the beliefs of the Aryans.

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The Aryans invaded

the Indus River Valley. Hinduismis largely basedon the religious

beliefs of the Aryans.

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No Single Holy Book

• Unlike Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, Hinduism has no single holy book.

• However, there are many significant Hindu writings.

• The Bhagavad-Gita, the Upanishads, and the Vedas are important Hindu writings.

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The Bhagavad-Gita is a conversationbetween a warrior and a god.

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Many gods, One Force

• Hindus believe in many gods. As such, Hinduism can be considered polytheistic.

• However, Hindus believe that every god is a manifestation of one Supreme Being.

• Brahman is the Supreme Being.

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Hindus believe inmany gods.

However, Hindusbelieve that every

god is amanifestation of a single, Supreme

Being.

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Karma and Reincarnation• Hindus believe in karma. Karma is the belief

that every action brings an equal reaction. If a person does a good deed, he will be rewarded in the future.

• Hindus also believe in reincarnation. Reincarnation is the belief that a person’s soul is reborn after death.

• A person’s karma determines his reincarnation.

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Think of Karma as what goes around,comes around.

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The Caste System

• Hindus also believe in a caste system. The caste system is a fixed social class system.

• A Hindus is born into his caste and must remain in his caste a lifetime.

• Brahmins (Priests), Warriors, Merchants, and Farmers are Hindu castes.

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These are the Sanskrit names for the fourcastes.

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Dharma

• Every caste has its rules.

• Dharma is the Sanskrit word for the rules of caste.

• Marrying in your caste is an example of dharma.

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Hinduism is the dominant religion of India.

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Questions for Reflection:

• How does a person’s karma determine his reincarnation?

• Why is the caste system a fixed social class system?

• What is the difference between dharma and karma?

• Why are some Hindus untouchables?

• Who were the Aryans?