Hinduism-+Group+4

=Period 2= =http://www.pbs.org/thestoryofindia/gallery/photos/4.html (click the drag down menu) = = **RESEARCH GUIDE: HINDUISM** = **Hinduism Project**


 * What are the religion followers called?**
 * 1**. Religion followers are called Hindus all over the world. Formed in India. Hinduism is pretty much a bunch of ancient religions from Aryans. Mainly, Hinduism was influenced by the Aryans. Aryans were powerful and subdued people in India, they brought their culture with them. They grew over many centuries and had a social class of priests, warriors, commoners, and the conquered people. The gods that the Aryans worshiped were mostly “male gods” who controlled the forces of nature.


 * Religious Text: (What is it made up of?)**
 * 2a. The Vedas**- chants that make up Aryans earliest sacred literature. The sacred chants were memorized by the priests who passed it down orally from father to son. Eventually, the Vedas were written down in the early sacred books of Hinduism. The name or title of the books are vision and wisdom. The Vedas are estimated to be from 1500 B.C.E or older.

Four Basic Text in which establishes the Vedas: 1. Hymn knowledge 2. Ceremonial Knowledge 3. Chant knowledge 4. Knowledge from the teacher called “Atharva


 * Hymn knowledge is considered most important because it involves how evolution began.


 * 2b**. **The Bhagavad-Gita**- part of a song written in dialogue form. The song was originated by a poem called the Mahabharata. Mahabharata was written approximately 400 B.C.E and 400 C.E. The story is how a prince is threatened by his hundred cousins and he has to decide whether to fight with his brothers against them to keep his throne or to accept their rule. He understands that his rules are correct but yet he wants to avoid the fight. Also the fact that his enemies are his family members make it harder to make the decision. Now, the prince had a god beside him who was disguised as his advisor. When the god revealed himself, he taught the prince about nonviolence and devotion to god. He advised the prince to fight to keep his throne and to keep his structure of society. The Bhagavad-Gita is a spiritual classic by the priests sometime between 200 B.C.E to 200 C.E. It also created some moral problems for the followers of the Hinduism religion. The Bhagavad-Gita is called the “divine song” or “song of the Divine One”.


 * 3. Special Days (What are they celebrating? Are there any special activities?)**


 * 3a. Diwali-** This is a festival of light. It is 5 days long. It is like New Years eve for many Hindus. It is celebrated 5 days from the 13th day of the dark half of the lunar month of Ashvina to the second day of Karttika. It is celebrated by lighting candles and fireworks. It is meant to welcome Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. Many people like to gamble during this holiday to promote good luck for the coming year.


 * 3b. Holi-** This holiday is celebrated after a full moon in the Hindu month of Phalguna. Celebrates the coming of Spring. It is known as a time to let loose and ignore the traditional customs of their religion. There are often many bright colors associated with this holiday It usually lasts around 2 days. It starts out with a bonfire commemorating Holika, who the holiday is known for.

- celebrates the sun’s journey into the northern hemisphere - festival of young and old - December or January - celebrated differently in different places -some families fly colorful kites -if it’s cold (depending on the area it’s during the coldest time of year) bonfires are held and the people throw sweets, sugarcane, and rice into the fire. -People who live near rivers with bathe in the water where two rivers meet -celebrates the beginning of spring and welcomes the lively colors of life
 * 3c. Masar Sakrant**

-** nine days and nine nights - sometimes called “durga Puja” - symbolizes the triumph of good over evil - it’s in the beginning of October, around harvest time - Durga= mother goddess who represents power - She killed the demon Mahishasura after a nine day battle - God is adored as motherly - Families return home for the nine days and leave on the tenth - Dances, feasts - Most colorful and elaborate celebrations take place in Bengal - Statues of idols are sometimes worshiped - Women go shopping - Decorative plates are designed - The tenth day, Dussera or Dasera, marks official triumph - Sometimes in the north, the triumph of Rama’s victory over Ravana is celebrated -Each day represents a head of Ravana, which represents a sin (lust, jealousy, etc.)
 * 3d. Navaratri

•** Ganges river is the sacred house of Ganga, a goddess • Good luck/ auspicious to drink and bathe from river, have ashes from body after death scattered in river • When one bathes in river, cleanses one of sin • When ashes are spread, gives one better karma and salvation • Is the longest river in India and starts in the west Himalayas and ends in Bay of Bengal
 * 4. Role and importance of Ganges in Hinduism.


 * 5. The Caste System-** the separation of classes or status that are created by birth or occupation. The Caste System is the social system for the Aryans. Their role in society as well as the character of that person may also set their social class in life.

1. Priests-acts as counselor and performs rituals. 2. Warrior-noble- they protect the society. 3. Merchants- landowners, money lenders, and sometimes artisans. 4. Peasants- does hard labor and is expected to serve the higher classes. 5. Untouchables- does the dirtiest work, cleaning toilets, sweeping streets, collecting animal carcasses, etc. Personal hygiene led the concern that separates the untouchables to the rest of society. They are forced to live in the ghettos and are not accepted near wells or temples.
 * Five Main Social Classes.**


 * 6. Who are the following and what do they each represent to Hindus?

6a. Brahma-** Is the god of creation and is part of the triad of Gods. This triad (three main gods) consists of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.


 * 6b. Shiva-** He is one of the cheif gods of Hinduism. Known as the "auspicious one." He is the god who destroys and restores. He's usually depicted with a blue neck. He is part of the Rudra god. One of the oldest worshiped gods. He sometimes fulfills the role of destroyer, creator, and preserver. His symbols are a bull and the linger. He has 3 eyes and 4 hands. He holds a deerskin, a trident, a small hand drum and a club with a skull at the end. The people fear this god but still worship him to receive the good he gives out.

•** Known as “all perviading” • Protects world by keeping mortals in order • Peaceful, Compassionate, merciful • Has 4 arms and each of them is holding either a conch, discus, club or lotus • Usually asleep as he awaits the renewal of the world • Has 10 avatars that go to earth to fix problems there
 * 6c. Vishnu-

Primarily Located in the following countries: -India and Nepal. primarily in India -third largest religion in the world (13% of the world) -in 2001 there were 766,000 in the US and 157,015 in Canada
 * 7.Primary Location, percentages and other numbers:**


 * 8. Core Beliefs: ( What are the central ideas to the religion?)

8a. Dharma-** "law", "truth", "duty" - the power that holds up the universe and maintains our society - gives people opportunities to act virtuously - to fulfill your purpose


 * 8b. Samsara-** “wheel of life”, "wandering", the cycle of birth and life; symbolizing the changes of the daily world. “The soul is reborn over and over again." “ you only live once” does not apply to the Hindu’s for live is a cycle. Not only is life a cycle but along with it comes, happiness, sorrow, struggle, and suffering.


 * 8c. Karma-** “what determines the direction of one’s rebirth/reincarnation”, "action". This is law has a moral meaning which people’s actions affect their next life. Every action they make creates a moral “consequence”. The results of your actions will be experienced in the next life. Karma is said to explain the differences of humans, for example why people are born with gifts, or why people are born without gifts or talents at all.


 * 8d. Moksha-** “freedom”, "release", "liberation". Moksha is the last life, or final goal; to get free (Moksha) from the cycle (Samsara). Beliefs include the everyday life experience on how to treat people and animals. Their world perspective becomes for kind, less selfish person. The final stage in the life cycle.