Hinduism developed over time and has no single founder. It believes in concepts like reincarnation, karma, and moksha. Followers worship gods like Vishnu, Shiva, and Devi through pilgrimages, festivals, and rituals. They believe the world is an illusion and the goal is to achieve moksha by removing karma through spiritual enlightenment. There are thousands of gods seen as manifestations of the single divine force Brahman. The religion is guided by sacred texts like the Vedas and Upanishads and incorporates the caste system.

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