An

-Mohandas Gandhi

03/22 & 03/23

Agenda Check All of this work should be in: Judaism reading guide Caste System worksheet Hinduism vocabulary

Game Plan
Review Hinduism Reading answer ? in your notes Review some slides from last block Take a few NEW notes Explain Hindu Project Take a few notes to help with project 1 step to Portfolio Paper Work time for Hindu Project, due next block

Hinduism Reading Look over your reading from the other day
You will have 10 minutes to answer the following question

The Big Question

Hinduism had no single founder, but rather evolved over time. How did this result in Hinduism changing and surviving for many millenniums?
In notes answer the question with a short paragraph (10 minutes to answer)

The Big Answer

No single set of original beliefs determines Hinduisms development so it can change more freely than other religions with a founder. This diversity and flexibility has enabled Hinduism to survive for many millenniums, even when India was ruled by other countries.

Aryan Caste System

When first arrived in Indus Valley divided into 3 classes:

Priests (Brahmins) Warriors (Kshatriyas) Craftsmen or traders (Vaishyas)

Class was determined by role in society

 Fourth group was developed:

Peasants (Shudras)
People of non-Aryan descent

Over time caste grew more complex an untouchable class was formed

Caste System
Brahmins (Priests) Kshatriyas (rulers & warriors) Vaishyas (craftsmen & traders)

Shudras (Laborers)
Outside the Caste System: Pariahs Untouchables Their touch endangered the purity of others

Aryans
Language & Traditions
Sanskrit not written initially; same roots as many other languages (IndoEuropean)
Epics-poems celebrating heroes Once written, Vedas, Books of Knowledge; basis of Aryan religious practices, tells about history and culture

 Rig Veda
Earliest scripture of the Aryans

Other text:
Upanishad means sitting close alongside and reflects the role of the guru in passing on spiritual teachings

 Main theme relationship between the universal soul (Brahman) and the souls of individual human beings (Atman)
Explore how to achieve liberation from desire and suffering This described as moksha state of perfect understanding of all things

Mono & Poly

Belief in an all-compassing spiritual force in the universe Brahman

God & Goddesses seen as a reflection of that universal spirit

Hindu Bridge
Individually complete a Bridge for Hinduism Bridge is due next block Following notes very important

Major Beliefs
All living things have souls (animals sacred) Bodies tie you to material world Reincarnation: rebirth of the soul Ultimate goal: Moksha

Reincarnation Continually reborn until soul reaches perfection

Good life = reborn to higher class Bad life = reborn to lower caste or animal

Cycle of rebirth determined by KARMA

How you live life determines next life Must accept caste result of actions in past life

Moksha

A state of perfect understanding of all things Liberation from desires and suffering is achieved

Hinduism & Society

Who could achieve moksha in their present life?
Only men in the top 3 varnas

What does good karma bring a person?

Good fortune & being born into an upper-caste

Essay - - - Portfolio #1
Snowball Fight write down a sentence with a similarity between Judaism & Hinduism

Hindu Bridge
In-class work time for Hinduism Bridge Can draw on the back side of the rubric

Bridge is due next block