HinduismAPD4

= **//﻿ Hinduism //** =

History of Hinduism Hinduism is one of the oldest religions. It was started in the Indus Valley in India, and had multiple founders. It was formed in 1500 BC. It started when nomadic Aryan-Indo Europeans invaded India. Hinduism comes from the name of the valley it was started in.



Religious Leaders Hindu religious leaders include Swamis, Shankaracharyas, Mahatmas, Mahasayas, Maharishis, and Sadhus Places of Worship ﻿Hindus worship in mandirs, or temples, but go as individuals or families, not all at the same time like other religions.  Beginnings Hinduism began in India. Most Hindus still live in India, but has influence all over the world.  Religious Beliefs ﻿Hindus believe in karma, which is that every action affects your reincarnation. They also believe in the Caste system, which is a social classification system condemned by India, but is still practiced by Hindus. The only way to travel to a different caste is reincarnation.   ﻿The Caste System

﻿ There are 4 levels in the caste system. Brahmins, the highest class, are the priests and scholars. The next highest class, the Kshatriyas, are the kings and warriors. The class below that, the Vaisyas, are the merchants and farmers. The lowest class the Sutras, are the servants and slaves. Below the caste system are the untouchables, or outcastes. These are the lowest of the low. There are two ways you can be an untouchable: if your parents were untouchables, or if your parents were from different classes.

Gods <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%; text-align: left;">Hindus believe their god is an essence. Their main god is Brahma, the creator. Two other major gods are Vishnu the preserver and Shiva the destroyer. Two minor gods are Ganesha and Lakshmi. <span style="color: #11ff00; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; text-align: center;">Sacred Writings <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%; text-align: left;">The sacred writings are the Vedas, an ancient collection of stories written in Sanskrit, the oldest language still in use today. One story involves a soldier who questions the morals of fighting. Vishnu comes in an avatar (human form) to help him decide that fighting is a part of life.

<span style="color: #11ff00; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; text-align: center;">Celebrations

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Hindus believe that the shrines of their gods are alive, and they bathe and feed them everyday. Their main holiday is Divali, also known as the Festival of Lights. Hindus light candles and pray to their shrines to show that light is present, even at the darkest of times. Another major holiday is Holi. For Holi, Hindus cover themselves in colored powder to celebrate the coming of spring to India. <span style="color: #11ff00; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Symbol <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%; line-height: 0px; overflow: hidden;">

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<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">This is the symbol of Hinduism. It represents Aum, which is believed by Hindus to be the first sound ever spoken. <span style="color: #11ff00; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: 0px; overflow: hidden;"> <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%; line-height: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; text-align: left;">

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