Hinduism
Origin of Hinduism
Hinduism developed thousands of years
ago in Ancient India
 There is no single founder or single
sacred text for Hinduism
 Hinduism traces its beginnings back to the
Aryans conquering the Indus River Valley
Civilization
 The Aryans added the gods and goddesses
of the Indus River Valley to their own
gods and goddesses

Brahman


Brahman is the all powerful spiritual force
that controls all things
The gods and goddesses of Hinduism are
used to explain and represent the force of
Brahman
◦ Important Gods are:
 Brahma, The Creator
 Vishnu, The Preserver
 Shiva, the Destroyer

The sacred texts of Hinduism are referred
to as Vedas.
Important Terms of Hinduism
Atman is the term used to describe the
inner-self or soul of an individual
 The ultimate goal of Hinduism is to
achieve moksha which is the union with
the spiritual force, Brahman.
 In order to achieve moksha, a person has
to free themselves of selfish wants and
desires

Achieving Moksha

Moksha is believed to be difficult to achieve in a
single lifetime.

Hindus believe in reincarnation or rebirth. They
believe that a person can be reborn into another
bodily form to continue their quest for moksha.

In order to achieve moksha, people must obey
the laws of Karma. Karma is all of the actions of a
person’s life that affect their fate in the next life

Hindus also believe strongly in ahimsa or
nonviolence. This was important because those
who were violent would have bad Karma.
Reincarnation

Karma influences what a person will come back
as in their next life. Those who are bad come
back as a lower form. Those who are good come
back as a higher form.
HUMANS
ANIMALS
PLANTS
OBJECTS
Achieving Moksha
In order to achieve moksha, Hindus must
perform their religious and moral duties
which is known as dharma.
 The Aryans introduced the caste system
where each person in society served a
different role in life. The actions required for
dharma was dependent on a person’s
position in the caste system.
 Karma was believed not only to determine
your reincarnated form, but also your
position in the caste system.

Castes – social stratification
REVIEW
What is the ultimate goal of Hinduism?
 What is the Hindu word for the inner-self
or soul?
 What are the collection of sacred texts
called?
 What does reincarnation mean?
 What is the record of all good/bad things
a person has done called?
 What is the Hindu term for nonviolence?
