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Do Now…. In your opinion what is the purpose of religion? What the benefits to belonging to a religion? What are some aspects that all religions share and have in common? . Review Mohenjo Daro. Enter the Aryans .
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Do Now… • In your opinion what is the purpose of religion? • What the benefits to belonging to a religion? • What are some aspects that all religions share and have in common?
Enter the Aryans • Approximately 1500 B.C.E. a nomadic and pastoral people who spoke the Indo-European language passed through the Hindu Kush mountains. • They called themselves “Aryans” or “noble people.” • They established small herding and agricultural communities throughout northern India. • Their migrations took place over several centuries. • Intermarried and laid social and cultural foundations that influenced Indian society to present day
Two Cultures Combine • The Aryans brought with them their own language, called Sanskrit and religious and cultural beliefs. • The Indus Valley people eventually became intermixed with the Aryan people and the two cultures together make up what is now much of the culture of modern India. • Hinduism, the major religion of India, was a mixture of Aryan and Indus Valley beliefs. • The caste system, which keeps people in strict social classes, was brought to India by the Aryans.
VerdicAGe • Early texts • Hymns and Poems • Religious Prayers • Magic Spells • Gods and Goddesses
Origins of Hinduism • Aryans brought their religious beliefs with them. Their early religious books- the Vedas- tell about their many nature gods • As they conquered different people, they included conquered religious beliefs with their old beliefs.
This is why Hinduism is so different from the other major world religions. • Hinduism is the only major world religion that does not have a starting point. It just developed out of ancient polytheism, combining many belief systems as time went on. • With this background, Hindus have many different beliefs and many different religious practices. (There is not one way to “beHindu.”
“God in Hinduism” • Hindus worship many gods and goddesses, but they believe all the gods and goddesses are part of the single all-powerful force (God) called Brahman. • Brahman is a spirit and is too complicated for humans to understand. • The many gods and goddesses help us understand things about Brahman (God).
Main Gods/Goddesses • Brahma • Vishnu • Shiva
BRAHMA • Brahma- the Creator
Vishnu- Preserver- a kind god who cares about people. He sometimes visits Earth in different forms to help humans.
SHIVA Shiva- Destroyer doesn’t care about people. Sometimes destroys, but creates again.
Reincarnation • Samsara is the wheel of rebirth which means the soul is reborn from one life form to another. • People may be reincarnated at a higher or lower level of existence depending on their karma from their present life. • People may be reborn as plants or animals or they may be elevated to a higher caste as a human. • Death is not final for Hindus as they expect to be reborn many times
Karma & Dharma • Karma: “action” or “deeds” • Every action produces a Justified effect based on its moral worthiness. • Karma determines all the particular circumstances and Situations of one’s life. • Dharma: ethical duty based on the divine order of reality. The word is the closest equivalent to “religion.”
Four Stages of Life Stage One: Student stage Stage Two: Householder Stage Three: Forest-dweller --after the birth of first grandchild Stage Four: Sannyasin - wondering ascetic
Brahmins Priests Kshatriyas Warriors Vaishyas Herders, Farmers, Artisans, Merchants Sudras (Non-Aryan) Farm Workers, Servants, Laborers Dalits (Outside the Caste System) Did work others did not want
The Caste System Pros Cons
Exit Slip • Could the caste system work in the United States today? This is a good opportunity to practice your writing skills!
