Aim: What are the main characteristics of Hinduism?

Do Now: Who and what provides you with direction in life?

I. IntroI. Intro

AryansAryans enter 4000 - 3500 years ago enter 4000 - 3500 years ago VedicVedic Tradition 3500 – 2500 years ago: Tradition 3500 – 2500 years ago:

rituals and many gods (polytheism)rituals and many gods (polytheism) sacred texts (Vedas)sacred texts (Vedas)

II. beliefsII. beliefs One impersonal Ultimate Reality – One impersonal Ultimate Reality – BrahmanBrahman True life – True life – AtmanAtman, the soul, is Brahman , the soul, is Brahman

trapped in matter.trapped in matter. Ultimate goal of life (Ultimate goal of life (MokshaMoksha) – to release ) – to release

Atman and reunite with the divine, becoming Atman and reunite with the divine, becoming as one with Brahman as one with Brahman

Karma-Karma- understood as the consequence of understood as the consequence of thought and behavior.thought and behavior.

DharmaDharma-moral duties of an individual-moral duties of an individual

A. Reincarnation (Samsara)A. Reincarnation (Samsara) atman, the soul, is continually born into this atman, the soul, is continually born into this

world lifetime after lifetime world lifetime after lifetime Most people will not achieve Most people will not achieve mokshamoksha in one in one

lifetime.lifetime. Belief in Belief in reincarnationreincarnation allows people to continue allows people to continue

working towards working towards moksha.moksha. higher or lower level of existence depending on

their karma from their present life.

B. Life and Caste SystemB. Life and Caste System

Ahimsa -- non-violenceAhimsa -- non-violence Respect for all life – vegetarianRespect for all life – vegetarian Human life as supreme:Human life as supreme:

Four “stations” of life (Caste) - priests, Four “stations” of life (Caste) - priests, nobles & warriors, merchant class, nobles & warriors, merchant class, servant classservant class

Rules forbade marrying outside one’s Rules forbade marrying outside one’s caste.caste.

Untouchables-impure or spiritually Untouchables-impure or spiritually polluted.polluted.

C. WorshipC. Worship In the home In the home (household shrines)(household shrines) In the Temples (priests officiate)In the Temples (priests officiate)

Ganges RiverGanges River

Ganges RiverGanges River