Adapted from L. Barnes Lecture

Hinduism – Origins and Development

Oldest world religion

no single founder

no single scripture

no set of specific teachings/rules

Brought by the Aryans, nomads from Central Asia, in 1500 BC.

Roots in the Vedas

– a collection of religious hymns, poems and prayers composed in the Sanskrit language thousands of years ago.

Polytheistic: belief in multiple gods and goddesses

Caste system (Aryan system of social classes).

One of the cornerstones of Hinduism

4 basic castes made up the original system.

1. Brahmans – priests (just men) and scholars

2. Kshatriyas – rulers and warriors

3. Vaisyars – farmers and merchants

4. Sudras – workers

5th group called dalits, “untouchables” was created over time.

Not allowed to participate in regular society – persecuted.

Have the worst jobs, are homeless etc.

Dalit status officially outlawed in 1950 but continues as cultural norm

today.

Hinduism – Origins and Development

Polythestic: multiple gods

control different aspects of the

universe

are various forms of Brahman,

a single, supreme and divine

force.

Have an animal companion

Each god has female counterpart

who brings out their power.

Main 3 gods:

Brahma the Creator

Vishnu the Preserver

Shiva the Destroyer

Beliefs of Hinduism

Beliefs of Hinduism Reincarnation – when a person dies, their soul is reborn in a

different body (can be animal or human)

Every person is born into a caste. A person can move into a

different caste only through reincarnation.

Dharma – Belief that each person has a certain moral duty to

live honorably in a way that is specific to your caste.

Karma – Belief that the good and evil done in your current life

determines the nature of your next life.

Honorable living good karma reincarnated in a higher caste

Dishonorable living bad karma reincarnated in lower caste

Ultimate goal for Hindus – live a spiritual life, one can be

free of karma and attain moksha (enlightenment) and

merge their soul with Brahman ending the cycle of rebirth.

Beliefs of Hinduism

Sacred Sites and Animals Cows

Animal companion to the god Shiva

The cow symbolizes all other creatures.

The cow is a symbol of the Earth.

The cow represents life and the food of

life (milk).

Temples

Sacred Sites and Animals Ganges River

Sacred to Hindus, earthly home of goddess Ganga

Bathing in the river causes the remission of sins and facilitates

Moksha

Important to spread ashes of deceased family members in the

river

Highly polluted – human and industrial waste – endangered species

threatened.

Ganges River

Hinduism-Spread & Influence

Dominant religion and social system in India.

more than 80% of people in India are Hindu.

Very significant influence on culture: festivals, traditions, rituals,

spiritual beliefs etc.

Castes brought social order to religion and society.

Major discrimination between castes

Limits the ability to improve ones’ life.

Most Hindus are vegetarian, no Hindu eats beef (due to belief to

treat animals well)

Spread through trade and migration to other parts of South Asia.

Hindu ideas and practices such as yoga have gained a following

worldwide.