4-3 Ancient India Lesson 3: Origins and Beliefs of Hinduism

What are the 3 forms of Brahman?

1. Brahma, the creator 2. Vishnu, the preserver 3. Shiva, the destroyer

What are the caste rankings?

1. priests and teachers 2. rulers and warriors 3. farmers and merchants 4. servants of all others

issue

A point or matter in question or in dispute, or a point or matter that is not settled and is under discussion or over which there are opposing views or disagreements.

What is Brahman?

One universal being; the source and final destination of everything.

samsara

The Hindu belief in a cycle of life, death and rebirth.

moksha

The Hindu concept of the spirit's 'liberation' from the endless cycle of rebirths.

reincarnation

The rebirth of a soul in a new body

Vedas

The religious text (book) of the Hindus

Brahman

The term for The Univeral Soul in Hinduism.

a lifelong social group into which a person is born

caste

moksha

in Hinduism when the soul escapes from the cycle of rebirth and is united with Brahman, the supreme force in the universe.

Hinduism

is a religion that worships many deities and includes the ideas of reincarnation and karma. The ultimate goal of this belief is to escape the cycle of life and death and reach moksha.

Why are many Hindus vegetarians?

it is part of the way of life based on the respect for other living things.

the process through which a person goes from one life to the next. once a person dies, he or she is reborn into a new life.

reincarnation

What are some things that are determined by your caste?

which job you were qualified for, who you could marry

How did Hinduism likely start?

with the religious beliefs of the Aryans and the first people who lived in the Indus River.

Sanskrit

an ancient Indian language

Reincarnation

After someone dies, their soul is reborn into another body

Diwali

Ancient literary texts like the Ramayana, which talk about Hindu gods, have inspired many holidays including the Hindu New Year called...

Is Hinduism a monotheistic or polytheistic religion?

Both. Hinduism is often thought of as a religion with many gods, but some Hindus recognize only one universal being (Brahman).

deities

Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva are all examples of...

The Caste System in order

Brahmins Kshatriyas Vaisyas Sudras

Brahman

For Hindus, each god (deity) represents an aspect, or quality of the 1 supreme God called...

ahimsa

Hindu belief in nonviolence and reverence for all life

The world's oldest religion and the main religion of India.

Hinduism

Brahmins

The Aryan religion Brahmanism comes from the varna (social class) called..

How is the Rig Veda important to people who practice Hinduism?

Hindus sing these hymns and important ceremonies such as weddings and funerals.

dharma

In Hindu belief, a person's religious and moral duties

Why is Hinduism different from many other religions?

It has no founder

caste system

The _______________ _______________ affected life in ancient India causing discrimination between social classes based on what varna you were born into.

karma

The belief that actions in this life, whether good or bad, will decide your place in the next life.

Guru

a Hindu or Buddhist religious leader and spiritual teacher

Vedas

a collection of ancient texts that are the foundation of Hinduism.

What is the Rig Veda?

a collection of more than 1,000 hymns that are dedicated to Aryan gods.

Hindu

a follower of Hinduism

Caste System

a set of rigid social categories that determined not only a person's job and economic potential, but also his or her position in society

caste

a social class whose members are identified by their job.

jatis

a social group that does a particular job and that a person is born into. There are thousands of jatis.

Yoga

a system of exercises practiced as part of the Hindu discipline to promote control of the body and mind

reincarnation

the belief that a person's soul is reborn into a new body after death

What is the goal of a good life for a Hindu?

the end of rebirth by becoming one with Brahman

varnas

the idea that people are born with a set of skills that help them serve one of the four social classes (e.g. Kshatriyas).

What is dharma?

the order of the universe. Hindus believe it is maintained by Vishnu

Ahimsa

the principle of nonviolence toward all living things

devote

to give one's time, effort, or attention earnestly