The Origins of Hinduism
What beliefs from the Upanishads shape the Hindu religion?
There is one true supreme god or also known as Brahmman. Every person is born with a soul that is part of the Brahman.
Discuss the Hindu belief in the cycle of life and rebirth.
Hindus believe in reincarnation.
Why do you think Hindus feel the Ganges river is a sacred place?
Because they believed that they lived in holy places like rivers, mountains, rocks and forests that were connected to the legends of them.
Brahmanism
Scholars call this Vedic age religion.
Brahman
One supreme god.
How did Hinduism Begin?
It began by the Vedic age which is also called Brahman.
In the Hindu religion, what are the differences among the three paths to God?
The first path to God is the way of knowledge. The way of knowledge is a true understanding of atman and brahman. Brahmans were followed by Brahmins who were priests. The second path is the way of work. The way of the work is doing the duties of your caste or living dharma. The third path is the way of devotion. This is about devoting yourself to Brahman.
What are some ways that Hindus worship their gods?
They would travel to places to pray there, pray at home with their shrines or pray at local temples.
Reincarnation
The rebirth of a soul in a new body is known.
Dharma
Hindus call living a moral life.
What was a major difference between Vedic Brahmanism and the ideas presented in the Upanishads?
In Brahmanism, only priests can perform rituals and with the Upanishads to read and understand the text.
What determines a person’s next reincarnation?
If you lived a good life you lived in a higher caste and if you lived a bad life you lived in a bad caste and even turned into an insect.
Which three Hindu sects have attracted large numbers and followers?
One worship Vishnu, another worship Shiva and other worship Shakti.
Pilgrim
Someone who travels to a shrine or a sacred place.
Moksha
The last goal released from life.
Describe the religion of ancient India.
They believe in Brahman, their one supreme god. Every person was born with a soul that is attached to brahman. They also have other smaller gods.
According to Hindus, how is reincarnation affected by karma?
If you have bad karma you’ll be reincarnated into a lower caste and if you have good karma you’ll be reincarnated into a higher caste.
Why is it possible to have different sects in Hinduism?
Hinduism is flexible and allows for people to worship in their own way. Hindus can worship different gods and pray to them at home with shrines.
Where in Asia did Hinduism spread from India?
Nepal, Indonsia, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Myanmar.
Ethnic Groups
A group of people who share a distinctive culture and a sense of identity.
What are the major Hindu religious texts?
The major texts are the Mahabharata and the Ramayana.
Why is the caste system important to a person’s dharma?
Dharma means fulfilling to the extent possible the duties assigned to one’s caste.
Shrine
A place of worship that is often dedicated to a sacred object or person.
Besides India, in what other countries do Hindus live?
Nepal, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Malaysia, United States, South Africa and Myanmar.
Sect
A smaller religious group that has broken away from a larger established religion.