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Indian Religions. Chapter 5: Sections 2-3. The Origins of Hinduism. Indian Society Divided. The Varnas – social divisions in the Aryan society Brahmins – priests; highest rank because they performed rituals for the gods Kshatriyas – rulers and warriors - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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INDIAN RELIGIONSChapter 5: Sections 2-3
The Origins of
Hinduism
INDIAN SOCIETY DIVIDEDThe Varnas – social divisions in the
Aryan societyBrahmins – priests; highest rank
because they performed rituals for the gods
Kshatriyas – rulers and warriorsVaisyas – farmers, craftspeople &
tradersSudras – laborers & non-Aryans
THE CASTE SYSTEMDefinition – divided Indian society
into groups based on a person’s wealth, birth, or occupationNot permanent – castes, groups of
people, could move up in down, but not individual people
Untouchables – not in a caste at allCould only interact with people within
their caste
BRAHMANISMAryan religion was based on the Vedas
4 Vedaseach contained sacred hymns & poems
Later Vedic Texts were where the Arayans wrote about their thoughts and beliefDescribed religious rituals – animal sacrifices
& secret rituals only priests could performUpanishads – written in the 600s BC;
reflections on the Vedas by religious students and scholars
HINDUISM DEVELOPSA combination of Brahmanism, Persian &
other Asian cultures formed HINDUISM, the largest religion in India today
Hindu BeliefsBelieve in many gods, but three of them are
the most important:Brahma – the CreatorSiva – the destroyerVishnu – the preserver
Believe that each god is a part of a single universe called Brahman
Brahma – the creator
Siva – the destroyer
Vishnu – the preserver
LIFE AND REBIRTHEveryone has a soul, or atman, inside them
Atman contains that person’s personality, etc.Ultimate goal – reunite soul with Brahman, the
universal spirit Brahman only reality – everything else is an
illusionPeople must see through the illusion of the worldIt can take several lifetimes to see through illusions
That is why Hindus believe that souls are born and reborn many times, each time in a new body. This process is called reincarnation.
HINDUISM AND THE CASTE SYSTEM
The type of form a Hindu is reincarnated into is dependent upon a person’s Karma, the effects that good or bad actions have on a person’s soulBad karma – come back as a pig, etc.Good karma – come back in a higher caste systemUltimate goal – salvation, or moksha, freedom from
life’s worries and the cycle of rebirth Dharma – must accept his/her place in society
without complaint
HINDUISM & WOMEN
Hinduism taught that both men & women can reach salvation.
But, women were considered inferior to men.
They could not participate in any rituals or read any of the sacred texts
JAINS REACT TO HINDUISM Hinduism spread widely, but not everyone
agreed with all of their practices Jainism is based on the teachings of Mahvira
Born into the Kshatriyas, one of the high castesUnhappy with the control of religion in Indian societyGame up life to become a monk and establish Jainism
Four Main Principles Injure no lifeTell the truthDo not stealOwn no property
Practice non-violence, or the avoidance of violent actionsBelieve that everything
is alive and a part of the rebirth cycle
Jains are very serious about not injuring or killing any creature – humans, animals, insects, or even plants
Vegetarians
JAINS REACT TO HINDUISM CONT.
The Origins of
Buddhism
SIDDHARTHA'S SEARCH FOR WISDOM
The Quest for AnswersSiddhartha Gautama – born into a high
caste around 563 BC.Although he never had to struggle for
anything in life, he was unhappy .He didn’t like all the suffering that went on
around him.Before he turned 30, Siddhartha left
his luxurious life behind him to find answers about the meaning of life.
The Buddha Finds EnlightenmentSpent 6 years wandering throughout India
Wanted to free his mind of daily concerns by: Fasting – going without food Meditation – the focusing of the mind on spiritual ideas
Stopped at Gaya, close to the Ganges River, sat under a tree & meditated. After 7 weeks of deep meditation, he realized why humans
suffer: WANTING WHAT WE LIKE BUT DO NOT HAVE
WANTING TO KEEP WHAT WE LIKE AND ALREADY HAVE
NOT WANTING WHAT WE DISLIKE BUT HAVE
SIDDHARTHA'S SEARCH FOR WISDOM CONT.
At about 35, Gautama found enlightenment under the tree.From that point on, he would be called Buddha, or
“enlightened one.”Buddha spent the rest of his life traveling across
northern India and teaching people his ideas. As he traveled, Buddha gained many followers. These followers were the first believers in
Buddhism, a religion based on the teachings of Buddha
SIDDHARTHA'S SEARCH FOR WISDOM CONT.