Ch. 6 Ancient India

Lesson 2 Origins of Hinduism

pp. 149 - 151

Hinduism Hinduism is a religion that began in

India. The religion is the world’s oldest

religion. Developed from the faith of the

Aryans. 3rd largest religion today Today, most Hindus live in India and

Nepal.

The Vedas Sacred writings Teach the key ideas of the Aryan religion At first, it had to be memorized by priests

and spoken out loud Much later, they were written down in

Sanskrit Over time, the Aryan religion changed as

it blending with ideas of other people of India

This mix of beliefs eventually became Hinduism

Hindu Beliefs Core belief = god that is present in everything - called Brahman.

God of all creation Universal spirit Legends say: When Brahma made humans,

his mouth became the Brahmins, his arms the Kshatriyas, his legs the Vaishyas, and his feet the Shudras (from the caste system = their “jobs” in the caste)

Hindu Beliefs Upanishads = sacred writing

ancient text that describe the search for Brahman, the one universal spirit.

Say that every living thing has a soul that is part of Brahman

Body is part of life on Earth. At death, the soul leaves the body and joins/becomes one with Brahman.

Most ancient Indians had a hard time comprehending the idea of the Brahman spirit.

Hindu Beliefs Believed in many deities that

were more like people Brahma – the creator Vishnu – the preserver Shiva – the destroyer

Eventually thought of all 3 deities as different parts of Brahman, the one universal spirit.

Reincarnation and Karma Reincarnation a cycle of being born

and reborn again in a new body. Hindus strive for moksha = the ultimate

peace. Hindus believe that most souls do not reunite

with Brahman immediately after death. Instead, each soul must first pass through

many lives. The Upanishads describe reincarnation as a process in this way,

“As a caterpillar, having reached the end of a blade of grass, takes hold of another blade, then draws its body from the firs, to the Self having reached the end of his body, takes hold of another body, then draws itself from the first.”

Reincarnation and Karma Karma, a force that determines the

quality of each life. According to karma, the people’s status in life is

not an accident. It is based on what they did in past lives.

Hinduism Live a good life, you create good karma. Live a bad life, you create bad karma.

Good karma, means better next life, bad karma, poorer next life

Hinduism earn a better existence in the next life. To do that they must follow dharma.

Dharma – personal responsibility People’s duties are different, depending on

their place in society. Farmer has different duties than a priest Men have different duties than women

How did Hindu beliefs shape the way of life in ancient India?1)Accepted the Hindu idea that all life is sacred.2)Animals and people must be treated with

kindness and respect.3)Reincarnation made them more accepting of the

varna caste system*a devout Hindu believed that people of a

higher varna were superior and deserved their status.

4) Reincarnation gave them hope that if they led a good life now, then when reborn, maybe they will return to a higher varna.

Hindu Duties

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

Research Questions

1. How did Hindu beliefs shape the way of life in ancient India? 4 ways

2. Explain the process of reincarnation.

3. Describe the Vedas ancient text.

4. Describe the Upanishads ancient text.

5. Which is one of the oldest religions in the world and is the world’s third largest religion today?