What do you personally
believe about an “afterlife”?
Here is the plan…
 Students will be introduced to the basic tenants of
Hinduism.
 Students will understand the importance of the river
Ganges to Hindus.
 Students will compare the religion of Hindu to their
own personal beliefs.
Compare / Contrast
 Compare your
personal beliefs
about religion
with Hindu
beliefs - are
there any
similarities? Or
differences?
Class Notes
 Hinduism is the main
religion of India. About
80% of India’s population
is Hindu.
 Since India is the 2nd most
populous country in the
world that is a lot of
Hindu’s! (about 850
million).
 Nepal also has a sizeable
Hindu population.
Find the answer?
 What does the word “pilgrimage” mean?
 Where to / why do Hindus make this
pilgrimage?
 Connect – where else have we heard the
term “pilgrimage”?
River Ganges
Answer
 What does the word “pilgrimage” mean?
 Where to / why do Hindus make this
pilgrimage?
 Connect – where else have we heard the
term “pilgrimage”?
Basic Facts
 Hinduism is one of the
world’s oldest religions.
 Resists easy definition
(wide array of
practices).
 No single founder.
 No single scripture.
 No commonly agreed
set of teachings.
Find the answer?
 Define Karma.
 How does Karma impact Reincarnation?
 What is the ultimate goal for ALL Hindus?
Hindu Beliefs
Answer
 Define Karma.
 How does Karma impact Reincarnation?
 What is the ultimate goal for ALL Hindus?
Class Notes
 Hindus believe in
Reincarnation.
 Hindus believe in
Karma.
 Hindu beliefs about
reincarnation and
karma are tied to the
caste system.
More info…
 Hinduism is generally
considered by outsiders to
be a polytheistic religion.
However some Hindus
may disagree with this
assessment.
 Hindus believe the Ganges
River to be sacred.
 Hindus believe that cows
are sacred animals.
Find the answer?
 What does the word “pyre” mean?
 Why do Hindus do this to the body?
 What do the people believe will happen to
the Hindu Holy man?
Death Rituals
ANSWER
 What does the word “pyre” mean?
 Why do Hindus do this to the body?
 What do the people believe will happen to
the Hindu Holy man?
Here is the plan…
 Students will be introduced to the basic tenants of
Hinduism.
 Students will understand the importance of the river
Ganges to Hindus.
 Students will compare the religion of Hindu to their
own personal beliefs.