Hinduism

Mission Valley Elementary SchoolSixth Grade, Room# 32

Alka Arora

Origin of HinduismAs the Aryans moved into India, they developed a strict system of social classes. As the Aryans’ influence spread through India, so did their class system. Before long, this class system was a key part of Indian society. Indian society got divided into distinct groups. The Aryans practiced a religion known as Brahmanism. Hinduism developed out of Brahmanism and influences from other cultures.

What is Hinduism Is one of the oldest world religions, and the first in India. No single founder-combination of beliefs. God is one-but goes by many names

Brahman-all of the universe is a part of Brahman

Sacred texts-Vedas and Upanishads

Varnas: Caste SystemThis caste system divided Indian society into groups based on a person’s birth, wealth, or occupation. According to the Vedas, there were four main varnas, or social divisions, in Aryan society. Four (plus) castes: Brahmins (Priests) Kshatriyas (Administrators/rulers and warriors) Vaisyas (artisans, farmers, craftsmen) Sudras (unskilled laborers)

Goal of LifeHindus believe that a person’s ultimate goal should be to reunite the soul with Brahman, the universal spirit.Atman-essential self every person has one.

Atman=the individual soulWant to achieve moksha-being one with Brahman Brahman=the Supreme CreatorDo through reincarnation until they get it right.

Karma and Dharma Karma-actions in this life that affect the next. A person’s karma affects how he or she will be reincarnated. Dharma-the religious and moral duties of an individual. Hinduism taught that each person had a duty to accept his or her place in the world without complaint. This is called obeying one’s dharma.

Sacred Texts: The Vedas and Upanishads

-Aryan Brahmins thoughts compiled into collection of Vedic Texts.- Upanishads were written by about 600 BC. These writings are reflections on the Vedas by religious students and teachers.

ReincarnationThe Cycle of Rebirth:The Upanishads taught that people must try to see through the illusion of the world. Since it is hard to see through illusions, it can take several lifetimes. That is why Hindus believe that souls are born and reborn many times, each time in a new body. This process of rebirth is called reincarnation.

GodHindus believe in many deities, but they believe that all the deities are aspects of a single universal spirit called Brahman.

Sat= beingChit= awarenessAnanda= bliss

God can be thought of as Creator (Brahma), Preserver (Vishnu), and Destroyer (Shiva)

Brahma: The CreatorConsort/wife: Saraswati, goddess of knowledge and speech.

Vehicle: hamsa or swan (seven swans).

Vishnu: The Maintainer of the Universe

Consort: Lakshmi (good fortune and prosperity)Vehicle: “Garuda”—eagle/human hybrid

VishnuVishnu appears in many avatars (traditionally ten, the last, who has not yet appeared, is Kalki, who will come when he is most needed).The two most important avatars of Vishnu are Rama and Krishna.

Shiva: The DestroyerShiva (the destroyer)

Consort(s): Kali (et al, Sati, Parvati, Lalita, Durga . . .)Vehicle: Nandi, the Bull

Ganesha: Son of Shiva & Parvati

GoddessDevi (the goddess) is sometimes worshipped as the supreme manifestation of Brahman. All other gods and goddesses would then be considered emanations of her.Devi (Devanagari: दे�वी�) is the Sanskrit word for Goddess.Devi is synonymous with Shakti, the female aspect of the divine.

Hindus worship principally through seeing (Darshan) an image of the divinity.

Shrines can be anywhere, in great temples, by the road, or in the home.

Puja is the act of worship, offering them fruit, flowers, incense, water, or cloth in order to symbolize an offering of the self to the god/goddess.

Sometimes the worshipper will take a pilgrimage to a sacred place, the most well-known being Benares, on the Ganges River.

Famous temples:The Badrinath Temple

Famous temples:The Konark Sun Temple Temple

Famous temples:The Somnath Temple

Famous temples:The Kedarnath Temple

Famous temples:The Rameshwaram Temple

Famous temples:The Vaishno Devi Temple

Famous temples:Lord Jagannath Temple

Famous temples:Amarnath Cave Temple

Suhani’s temple at home:

Thank You!!