1. Aryans and Hinduism

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

4. INDUSINDUS
RIVERRIVER
VALLEYVALLEY

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…

7. PariahsPariahs (slaves, “untouchables”)
BrahmansBrahmans
(priests)
VaisyasVaisyas
(common people)
Sudras
(unskilled laborers, servants)

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…

10. HinduismHinduism
Basic BeliefsBasic Beliefs

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

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

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

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

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!!