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Hinduism. Hinduism History and Sacred Writings. Hinduism is one of the oldest religions in the world Hinduism grew out of ideas and customs of the Aryan people who settled in the Indus Valley in about 1500BCE Today, that region is known as Pakistan. Pakistan is a country near India.
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HinduismHistory and Sacred Writings • Hinduism is one of the oldest religions in the world • Hinduism grew out of ideas and customs of the Aryan • people who settled in the Indus Valley in about 1500BCE • Today, that region is known as Pakistan. Pakistan is a country • near India. • Most Hindus live in India
HinduismHistory and Sacred Writings • In ancient times, the Aryans didn’t have a written language, so they spread their ideas and customs orally through the VEDAS. • The VEDAS are poems & religious songs that were memorized by Hindu priests. • Many centuries later, the Vedas were written down.
HinduismHistory and Sacred Writings • Other sacred writings include the EPICS. • Epics are stories about ancient heroes andgods that have important Hindu messages. • The epic Mahabharata is about duty andthe Ramayana is about love and responsibility.
HinduismAround the World Hinduism Around the World • Hinduism is the 3rd largest religion, after Christianity and Islam. • It has about 900 million members. • About 800 million members live in India- or about 80% of India’s population. • Hindus live in several other countries including: • Nepal 17 million • Bangladesh 13 million • Indonesia 4 million • Sri Lanka 3 million • Pakistan 2 million • Malaysia 1 million • USA 1 million
Hinduism- Customs, Traditions, andCommon Ideas • Hindus have many choices in how they practice their belief. • Most Hindus believe in the Ultimate God that is called Brahman. • There are other gods and goddess in the Hindu religion. • Hindus also believe in manifestation, or representation of God, so they are free to pray to whatever god they want. • Because of this acceptance of worshipping the god of your choosing, various branches or sects have developed. These sects include: • Vaishnavism- the followers worship the Lord Vishnu • Shaivism- the followers worship the Lord Shiva
Hinduism- Customs, Traditions, andCommon Ideas • Hindus are also free to practice their religion anywhere. • Some people go to a temple where a priest leads them; others have private ceremonies in the homes.
Hinduism- Customs, Traditions, andCommon Ideas Hindus share many ideas: • LAW OF KARMA AND REINCARNATION: Everyone is made of up of more than a physical Body. A person’s true self is their spirit and does not die when the body dies. Based on how they live their lives (karma), they are reborn in to another life form. The cycle of death and rebirth ( reincarnation) continues until a person reaches MOKSHA, or unity with God.
The Caste System: Hindus believe that people are born into certain castes or social classes. Historically, the caste determined a person’s job and place in society. In the past, the highest caste was the Brahmans ( priests & teachers). The next caste, Kshatriyas ( warriors). Vysyas or traders were next, and the lower caste was the Shudras or workers.Today, they are hundreds of castes in India. Hinduism- Customs, Traditions, andCommon Ideas
Hinduism- Customs, Traditions, andCommon Ideas • Dharma: People have a duty to do the right thing to fulfill their role in life, whatever it is.
Hinduism- Sacred Places and Symbols • Ganges River: Hindus believe the Ganges River is a holy river that purifies everything. Many pilgrims visit sacred cities, such as Benares, along the Ganges River to pray in temples and bathe in the water.
Hinduism- Sacred Places and Symbols • Sacred Cows-Cows are considered sacred. One of the gods in Hinduism, Krishna, was a cow herder. Cows have become a symbol of Hinduism, representingsimplicity, giving to others, and non- violence. Cows are free to roam in India.