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