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Indian Religions

Indian Religions. Chapter 5: Sections 2-3. The Origins of Hinduism. Indian Society Divided. The Varnas – social divisions in the Aryan society Brahmins – priests; highest rank because they performed rituals for the gods Kshatriyas – rulers and warriors

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Indian Religions

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  1. Indian Religions Chapter 5: Sections 2-3

  2. The Origins of Hinduism

  3. Indian Society Divided • The Varnas – social divisions in the Aryan society • Brahmins – priests; highest rank because they performed rituals for the gods • Kshatriyas – rulers and warriors • Vaisyas – farmers, craftspeople & traders • Sudras – laborers & non-Aryans

  4. The Caste System • Definition – divided Indian society into groups based on a person’s wealth, birth, or occupation • Not permanent – castes, groups of people, could move up in down, but not individual people • Untouchables – not in a caste at all • Could only interact with people within their caste

  5. Brahmanism • Aryan religion was based on the Vedas • 4 Vedas • each contained sacred hymns & poems • Later Vedic Texts were where the Arayans wrote about their thoughts and belief • Described religious rituals – animal sacrifices & secret rituals only priests could perform • Upanishads – written in the 600s BC; reflections on the Vedas by religious students and scholars

  6. Hinduism Develops • A combination of Brahmanism, Persian & other Asian cultures formed HINDUISM, the largest religion in India today • Hindu Beliefs • Believe in many gods, but three of them are the most important: • Brahma – the Creator • Siva – the destroyer • Vishnu – the preserver • Believe that each god is a part of a single universe called Brahman

  7. Siva – the destroyer Brahma – the creator Vishnu – the preserver

  8. Life and Rebirth • Everyone has a soul, or atman, inside them • Atman contains that person’s personality, etc. • Ultimate goal – reunite soul with Brahman, the universal spirit • Brahman only reality – everything else is an illusion • People must see through the illusion of the world • It can take several lifetimes to see through illusions • That is why Hindus believe that souls are born and reborn many times, each time in a new body. This process is called reincarnation.

  9. Hinduism and the Caste System • The type of form a Hindu is reincarnated into is dependent upon a person’s Karma, the effects that good or bad actions have on a person’s soul • Bad karma – come back as a pig, etc. • Good karma – come back in a higher caste system • Ultimate goal – salvation, or moksha, freedom from life’s worries and the cycle of rebirth • Dharma – must accept his/her place in society without complaint

  10. Hinduism & Women • Hinduism taught that both men & women can reach salvation. • But, women were considered inferior to men. • They could not participate in any rituals or read any of the sacred texts

  11. Jains React to Hinduism • Hinduism spread widely, but not everyone agreed with all of their practices • Jainism is based on the teachings of Mahvira • Born into the Kshatriyas, one of the high castes • Unhappy with the control of religion in Indian society • Game up life to become a monk and establish Jainism • Four Main Principles • Injure no life • Tell the truth • Do not steal • Own no property

  12. Jains React to Hinduism Cont. • Practice non-violence, or the avoidance of violent actions • Believe that everything is alive and a part of the rebirth cycle • Jains are very serious about not injuring or killing any creature – humans, animals, insects, or even plants • Vegetarians

  13. The Origins of Buddhism

  14. Siddhartha's Search for Wisdom • The Quest for Answers • Siddhartha Gautama – born into a high caste around 563 BC. • Although he never had to struggle for anything in life, he was unhappy . • He didn’t like all the suffering that went on around him. • Before he turned 30, Siddhartha left his luxurious life behind him to find answers about the meaning of life.

  15. Siddhartha's Search for Wisdom Cont. • The Buddha Finds Enlightenment • Spent 6 years wandering throughout India • Wanted to free his mind of daily concerns by: • Fasting – going without food • Meditation – the focusing of the mind on spiritual ideas • Stopped at Gaya, close to the Ganges River, sat under a tree & meditated. • After 7 weeks of deep meditation, he realized why humans suffer: • WANTING WHAT WE LIKE BUT DO NOT HAVE • WANTING TO KEEP WHAT WE LIKE AND ALREADY HAVE • NOT WANTING WHAT WE DISLIKE BUT HAVE

  16. Siddhartha's Search for Wisdom Cont. • At about 35, Gautama found enlightenment under the tree. • From that point on, he would be called Buddha, or “enlightened one.” • Buddha spent the rest of his life traveling across northern India and teaching people his ideas. • As he traveled, Buddha gained many followers. • These followers were the first believers in Buddhism, a religion based on the teachings of Buddha

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