Hinduism

Do Now

List any information you know about Hinudism

Essential Question

What are the teachings of Hinduism?

Hinduism Hinduism began in India. The religion dates back to 1500

B.C.E., making it the worlds oldest religion.

There are 750 million Hindus in the world today.

Most Hindus still live in India. Gave birth to Buddhism

How did Hinduism begin? No particular founder Indus River Valley Civilization

>5000 years ago Aryans enter 4000 - 3500 years ago Vedic Tradition 3500 – 2500 years

ago: rituals and many gods

(polytheism) sacred texts (Vedas) social stratification (caste

system)

Hindu Beliefs

Hindus believe in a single Divinity or supreme god that is present in everything called Brahman.

Hindus also believe in other gods who are aspects of that supreme God= polytheistic

Reincarnation Reincarnation is the belief that the

soul repeatedly goes through a cycle of being born into a body, dying, and being reborn again in a new body.

Karma

Karma, a force that determines the quality of each life, depending on how well one behaved in a past life.

Create karma by our actions on earth. If you live a good life, you create good karma. If you live a bad life, you create bad karma.

Do Now

Please answer the following questions:

1) What is the oldest religion? 2) What is the name of the scared

Hindu text? 3) Who is the top god? 4) List two reasons Hinduism is

different from Christianity?

All these deities are butManifest forms (attributesand functions) of theimpersonal Brahman

All these deities are butManifest forms (attributesand functions) of theimpersonal Brahman

Moksha Each time a Hindu soul is born into a

better life, it has the opportunity to improve itself further, and get closer to ultimate liberation=Moksha.

One attains Moksha when they no longer desire anything at all.

G.D. Why do you think Hindus believe in karma?

AND Why are desires bad? What are the

benefits/drawbacks of reincarnation?

Sacred Writings

The Vedas (written down 1200-900BCE, but based on older oral versions).

The Upanishads which means the inner or mystic teaching that were passed down from guru (teacher) to disciple (student).

Hindu Life Goals Hinduism is about leading your life in a

good way in order to be born into a better life next time and ultimately achieve liberation.

There are 4 goals in life: dharma (appropriate living) artha (the pursuit of material gain by

lawful means) kama (delight of the senses) moksha (release from rebirth).

Hindu Duties Each Hindu has 4 daily duties: Revere the deities (gods) Respect ancestors Respect all beings Honor all humankind

G.D. Are the Hindu Life Goals and duties similar/different to other religions we have studied?

Rest of the Class Activities

Please complete the following:Test Corrections (Write out the question and the corrections x2 including the essay)Islam SheetWorkbook p 8-9Reading Guide p 23-26

Do Now

Please answer the following questions:

1) List the sacred texts for the following religions: Judaism, Hindu, Christianity and Islam

2) Define karma and reincarnation

Social Structure in India

The Hindu Caste System

Essential Question

Is the caste system fair/just?

Definition:

A type of social organization/hierarchy in which a person’s occupation and position in life is determined by the circumstances of their birth.

Rigid, hereditary membership into birth caste

Marriage only among member of same caste

Occupation choices restricted Personal contact with other

castes restricted Acceptance of fixed place in

society

Reincarnation Karma

Dharma Code of behavior or set of moral and ethical rules

Brahmins – Priests, Teachers, Judges; usually don’t own land therefore need other castes to work the land and provide for them

Kshatriyas – Warriors and Rulers (landowners)

Vaisyas – Skilled Traders, Merchants, Farmers

Sudras – Unskilled Workers—Laborers and Craft workers

Untouchables – Outcastes Concept of pollution…the most

pure at the top (Brahmins) and the most polluted at the bottom (Untouchables)

G.D.

In your GD groups answer the following questions:

After studying the beliefs of Hindus, do you believe the caste system is a fair/just system? Explain and write down arguments to support your answer

Class activity

Finish work from yesterday Workbook p 8-9 Reading Guide p 23-26

And using page 64

Draw the what the caste system looked like in India