2. 1500 BCE, Aryans migrated into1500 BCE, Aryans migrated into
Ganges Plain.Ganges Plain.
Spread new civilizationSpread new civilization
Sanskrit – spoken and writtenSanskrit – spoken and written
languagelanguage
Vedas – holy books of hymns,Vedas – holy books of hymns,
poems, legends, and religious ritualspoems, legends, and religious rituals
3. AryansAryans
Nomadic Herders from Central Asia
Invaded India through the Hindu Kush
(1700-1500 BCE)
– Khyber Pass
– Seeking rich pastures
– Skilled warriors- able to conquer
Brought with them…
– Hinduism- religion
– Caste System
5. Hindu Caste SytemHindu Caste Sytem
Rigid legal system ofRigid legal system of social organizationsocial organization
based onbased on HinduismHinduism
Created by the AryansCreated by the Aryans
A person’s position in society was fixed atA person’s position in society was fixed at
birthbirth
System placed restrictions onSystem placed restrictions on foodfood,,
occupations, marriageoccupations, marriage, ect…, ect…
The Caste System is abolished today BUTThe Caste System is abolished today BUT
some places still practice it strongly.some places still practice it strongly.
6. When they divided manWhen they divided man
Into how many parts did theyInto how many parts did they
divide him?divide him?
What was his mouth, what were hisWhat was his mouth, what were his
arms,arms,
What were his thighs and feetWhat were his thighs and feet
called?called?
The Brahmin was his mouthThe Brahmin was his mouth
Of his arms made the warrior,Of his arms made the warrior,
His thighs became the VaisyaHis thighs became the Vaisya
Of his feet the Sudra was born.Of his feet the Sudra was born.
Bronze Age Vedic PoemBronze Age Vedic Poem
Varna: 4 main social
classes
Jati- smaller groups
within each varna
Caste System…
8. Vedas:Vedas: Holy literatureHoly literature
– MemorizedMemorized and told to younger generationsand told to younger generations
– Developed writing and recorded the vedasDeveloped writing and recorded the vedas
Language=Language= SanskritSanskrit
UpanishadsUpanishads
– Epics (long poems/ stories) of the VedasEpics (long poems/ stories) of the Vedas
– RamayanaRamayana
Most famousMost famous
Love story of Rama and his wife SitaLove story of Rama and his wife Sita
HinduismHinduism
9. Polytheistic?, Monotheistic?,Polytheistic?, Monotheistic?, MonisticMonistic (God and(God and
Creation are ONE)Creation are ONE) ??
…many gods one spirit
– Brahma- creatorBrahma- creator
– Vishnu- preserverVishnu- preserver
– Shiva- DestroyerShiva- Destroyer
Reincarnation:Reincarnation: soul being reborn into another beingsoul being reborn into another being
Religious PracticeReligious Practice
– Caste SystemCaste System
– Yoga- mental/ physical. Bring body and mind togetherYoga- mental/ physical. Bring body and mind together
– Festivals- rituals, food, music, dancing. Helps bring in theFestivals- rituals, food, music, dancing. Helps bring in the
seasonsseasons
– Cows- sacred animal, pull plows, milk, butter, wereCows- sacred animal, pull plows, milk, butter, were
protected by law.protected by law.
Maya-the world of senses is an illusionMaya-the world of senses is an illusion
Hinduism…Hinduism…
12. BrahmanBrahman Supreme GodSupreme God
Everything is a part of BrahmanEverything is a part of Brahman
Goal in life is to unite atman ( an individual’sGoal in life is to unite atman ( an individual’s
soul) w/ Brahmansoul) w/ Brahman
MultipleMultiple
GodsGods
DharmaDharma
KarmaKarma
SamsaraSamsara
13.
14. BrahmanBrahman Supreme GodSupreme God
Everything is a part of BrahmanEverything is a part of Brahman
Goal in life is to unite w/ BrahmanGoal in life is to unite w/ Brahman
MultipleMultiple
GodsGods
Worship many gods and goddessesWorship many gods and goddesses
Gods and goddesses are part of BrahmanGods and goddesses are part of Brahman
Important gods – Vishnu, Shiva, BrahmaImportant gods – Vishnu, Shiva, Brahma
DharmaDharma
KarmaKarma
SamsaraSamsara
15.
16. BrahmanBrahman Supreme GodSupreme God
Everything is a part of BrahmanEverything is a part of Brahman
Goal in life is to unite w/ BrahmanGoal in life is to unite w/ Brahman
MultipleMultiple
GodsGods
Worship many gods and goddessesWorship many gods and goddesses
Gods and goddesses are part of BrahmanGods and goddesses are part of Brahman
Important gods – Vishnu, Shiva, BrahmaImportant gods – Vishnu, Shiva, Brahma
DharmaDharma Sacred dutySacred duty
Individual dharma determined by age, gender,Individual dharma determined by age, gender,
social classsocial class
Following dharma promotes harmonyFollowing dharma promotes harmony
KarmaKarma
SamsaraSamsara
17.
18. BrahmanBrahman Supreme GodSupreme God
Everything is a part of BrahmanEverything is a part of Brahman
Goal in life is to unite w/ BrahmanGoal in life is to unite w/ Brahman
MultipleMultiple
GodsGods
Worship many gods and goddessesWorship many gods and goddesses
Gods and goddesses are part of BrahmanGods and goddesses are part of Brahman
Important gods – Vishnu, Shiva, BrahmaImportant gods – Vishnu, Shiva, Brahma
DharmaDharma Sacred dutySacred duty
Individual dharma determined by age, gender,Individual dharma determined by age, gender,
social classsocial class
Following dharma promotes harmonyFollowing dharma promotes harmony
KarmaKarma Sum of good and bad actions your soul carriesSum of good and bad actions your soul carries
from life to lifefrom life to life
Good and bad actions affect future lifeGood and bad actions affect future life
SamsaraSamsara
19.
20. BrahmanBrahman Supreme GodSupreme God
Everything is a part of BrahmanEverything is a part of Brahman
Goal in life is to unite w/ BrahmanGoal in life is to unite w/ Brahman
MultipleMultiple
GodsGods
Worship many gods and goddessesWorship many gods and goddesses
Gods and goddesses are part of BrahmanGods and goddesses are part of Brahman
Important gods – Vishnu, Shiva, BrahmaImportant gods – Vishnu, Shiva, Brahma
DharmaDharma Sacred dutySacred duty
Individual dharma determined by age, gender,Individual dharma determined by age, gender,
social classsocial class
Following dharma promotes harmonyFollowing dharma promotes harmony
KarmaKarma Sum of good and bad actions your soul carriesSum of good and bad actions your soul carries
from life to lifefrom life to life
Good and bad actions affect future lifeGood and bad actions affect future life
SamsaraSamsara Continuous cycle of birth, death, and rebirthContinuous cycle of birth, death, and rebirth
Goal in life is to achieve moksha and beGoal in life is to achieve moksha and be
released from samsarareleased from samsara
21. Hindu MandalasHindu Mandalas
Mandala means “circle” inMandala means “circle” in
SanskritSanskrit
circular diagrams thatcircular diagrams that
originated with Hinduismoriginated with Hinduism
and are used to increaseand are used to increase
spiritual awareness.spiritual awareness.
symbolize the cyclicalsymbolize the cyclical
nature of the universenature of the universe
people often use mandalaspeople often use mandalas
to focus themselves duringto focus themselves during
meditationmeditation
Used in Hinduism andUsed in Hinduism and
BuddhismBuddhism
22. Create your own Hindu MandalaCreate your own Hindu Mandala
using the symbols on the chart weusing the symbols on the chart we
just createdjust created
Your mandala should show you thatYour mandala should show you that
each of the beliefs are connected.each of the beliefs are connected.
Therefore, it should go in a certainTherefore, it should go in a certain
order.order.
Create your Mandala! Use color andCreate your Mandala! Use color and
be creative!!be creative!!