Key Terms The Caste System Karma Dharma Reincarnation Coach Smith.

Key TermsThe Caste System

KarmaDharma

Reincarnation

Coach Smith

Coach Smith

Hinduism is an important religion in India.This is the Hindu symbol for Om. It

represents the divine.

The AryansThe Aryans invaded India around 1500 B.C.

When the Aryans invaded India, they brought their religious beliefs.

Hinduism is a religion largely based on the beliefs of the Aryans.

Coach Smith

Coach Smith

The Aryans invaded

the Indus River Valley. Hinduismis largely basedon the religious

beliefs of the Aryans.

No Single Holy BookUnlike Judaism, Christianity, and Islam,

Hinduism has no single holy book.

However, there are many significant Hindu writings.

The Bhagavad-Gita, the Upanishads, and the Vedas are important Hindu writings.

Coach Smith

Coach Smith

The Bhagavad-Gita is a conversationbetween a warrior and a god.

Many gods, One ForceHindus believe in many gods. As such,

Hinduism can be considered polytheistic.

However, Hindus believe that every god is a manifestation of one Supreme Being.

Brahman is the Supreme Being.

Coach Smith

Coach Smith

Hindus believe inmany gods.

However, Hindusbelieve that every

god is amanifestation of a single, Supreme

Being.

Karma and ReincarnationHindus believe in karma. Karma is the

belief that every action brings an equal reaction. If a person does a good deed, he will be rewarded in the future.

Hindus also believe in reincarnation. Reincarnation is the belief that a person’s soul is reborn after death.

A person’s karma determines his reincarnation.

Coach Smith

Coach Smith

Think of Karma as what goes around,comes around.

The Caste SystemHindus also believe in a caste system. The

caste system is a fixed social class system.

A Hindus is born into his caste and must remain in his caste a lifetime.

Brahmins (Priests), Warriors, Merchants, and Farmers are Hindu castes.

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Coach Smith

These are the Sanskrit names for the fourcastes.

DharmaDHARMA= DUTYEvery caste has its rules.

Dharma is the Sanskrit word for the rules of caste.

Marrying in your caste is an example of dharma.

Coach Smith

Coach Smith

Hinduism is the dominant religion of India.

Questions for Reflection:How does a person’s karma determine his

reincarnation?Why is the caste system a fixed social class

system?What is the difference between dharma and

karma?Why are some Hindus untouchables?Who were the Aryans?

Coach Smith