1. Hinduism
“What Indians do”
No single founder…collection
of religious beliefs that
developed over a period of
time

2. Vocabulary to Know…
 Reincarnation
 Karma
 Moksha
 Dharma

3. Life & Worship
 One approached gods through
knowledge, discipline, and/or
devotion to deities-Brahmin priests
 Statues of gods placed where the
god came for direct contact (at
shrines and in the home)
 Pilgrimages to shrines and festival
attendance
 Ganges was sacred

4. Life & Worship
 The world is an illusion that is born and
reborn like humans.
 live a life of dharma - morally guided
living
 have good kharma - residue of action by
an individual that attaches to one’s soul -
- reincarnation is determined by the
amount and nature of kharma

5. Ultimate goal of Hinduism
 Once kharma is removed by spiritual
enlightenment (freed from earthly
desires), a person reaches an ideal
state and ceases to be reborn
(MOKSHA)

6. GODS
 Vishnu- the preserver & restorer -
came in different forms when
demonic forces threatened (Rama,
Krishna)
 Shiva – represented creation and
destruction (symbolic dance)
 Devi - mother goddess – represented
fertility and love Or violence and
destruction

7. GODS
 There were thousands (if not
more) of gods, sects, and local
practices.
 This has NOT separated Hindus
 All gods were seen as the
various manifestations of single
divine force, Brahman, that
pervades the universe

8. Which one is it?
 Brahma-Creator god
 Brahman-the “World Soul”-contrast with
atman the individual soul-when you
understand the connection you achieve
perfect understanding
 Brahmin-upper caste Hindu priests

11. Sacred Texts
 Vedas and Upanishads are some of the
religious texts.
 Vedas are hymns, prayers, and worship
practices brought by Aryan invaders
 Upanishads are written conversations
between a student and teacher about
the Vedas

12. Hinduism and Caste
 Caste is determined by karma
 Low caste or woman=bad karma
 High caste man=good karma
 Good karma=fulfilling your dharma in
your caste