Hinduism

Hinduism

Hinduism cannot be traced back to a single person’s ideas

Instead blends ancient Aryan traditions with beliefs of conquered peoples

Aryan priests preserved sacred texts the Vedas and the Upanishads

Hindu Beliefs

Brahma is the single supreme force that unites the universe

There are many gods, each symbolizing a form of Brahma

Three main gods in Hinduism: Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva

Gods of Hinduism

Vishnu: Preserver of the World

Shiva: Destroyer of the World

Brahma: Creator of

the World

Hindu Beliefs

Every Individual has a SoulEach Individual Soul is part of a

Universal Soul known as the Atman While most of the world sets goals of

personal wealth, Hindus believe that goals of personal wealth only brings pain and suffering

Hindu Beliefs

The Only Goal in Life is to free the soul from its individual existence through reunion with Atman

This Goal can take many life timesThus Hindus believe in reincarnation

Reincarnation

The cycle of births and rebirths experienced by the soul as it passes from one body to another

This can include both humans and animals

In each cycle the soul moves closer or further away from Atman

Actions in life affect whether you move up or down in your reincarnated form

The Caste System

Indian society is divided into many classes under the caste system

An individuals place in society is dependant on their actions in their past life

These past actions in life are known as Karma

Karma

An individual can move up in society by obeying religious duties and moral laws

These can include obeying caste regulations on diet, work and social behaviour

Disobeying these laws can result in rebirth as an animal

UH OH!

The Caste System

By 600 BC, Brahmans had become highest members in Hindu society

Brahmans were believed to be closest to Atman

They were tasked with guarding sacred tasks and performing religious rituals

Brahmans

To be highest members of society meant they must have obeyed the caste laws in a past life

Some Hindus were critical of the power and lifestyle of the Brahmans

The most famous critic was Siddhartha Gautama, eventual founder of Buddhism