RELIGIONIndia Lesson 2

OBJECTIVES

Identify basic Hindu beliefs. Explain relationship between Hinduism

and the caste system in India. Describe religions that arose in protest

of Hindu practices.

WARM UP

Do you believe in karma? Why or why not?

RELIGIONS OF REGION

Hinduism (701 m) Islam (93m) Christianity (25m) Sikhism (17m) Buddhism (8m)

Why are conflicts over religion more heated than those over mere differences of opinion?

ORIGINS

No founder, formal church.

Sacred Texts Vedas – eternal truths Upanishads – explains

Epic Poems Ramayana,

Mahabharata, Bhagavad Gita

Brahman - supreme universal soul

Assumes 3 forms Brahma – creator Vishnu – preserver Shiva – destroyer

Goal = Moksha. Union with spirit through pure soul.

GODS

The Trimurti

BELIEFS Reincarnation - Rebirth of

soul.

Karma – Every action rewarded/punished

Dharma – duties & obligations

Moksha

Nirvana

FESTIVALS

Diwali – Festival of Lights…arrival of winter, New Year

Holi – purify fields for good crop yield

ORIGINS CASTE SYSTEM

3,000 + yrs old

Aryans (invaded India) took desirable work, left less desirable to original peoples.

Divided population into varnas –social groups Born into, stay Segregation of castes Restricted

Brahmins – scholars & priests

Kashatriya – rulers & soldiers

Vaishya – merchants & landowners

Sudras – laborers & artisans

Untouchables – menial jobs, outcasts (Gandhi called “harijan”)

CASTE SYSTEM TODAY

Indian Constitution outlawed concept of “untouchability”

Problem for modernization

Rural – Very much alive

Urban – Mix castes, may even reject system. Vestiges seen in slums.

STAGES OF LIFE

Student- celibacy & preparation for life “student” does not necessarily mean literally in school

Householder- (marriage. Family) can buy things

Hermit (retirement & meditation) Gives up worldly posessions

Wanderer (Complete renunciation of material world. Including all possessions Elderly

OTHER RELIGIONS

BUDDHISM JAINISM & SIKHISM

Siddhartha Gautama Left privileged life to find

cause human misery Achieved enlightenment

became Buddha

4 Noble Truths Noble Eightfold Path 3 Baskets of Wisdom

Jainism – emphasize ahimsa (nonviolence).

Sikhism – blend Hinduism & Islam

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

Film and Guided Questions

CLOSURE

How does the film expose the look of the caste system?