What led to the development of Hinduism?
Feb 23, 2016
What led to the
development of
Hinduism?
Aryan society became more complex…
•Society divided into groups•Based on occupation•Strict rules developed
The Varnas – social divisions
•Brahmins – priests•Kshatriyas – rulers and warriors•Vaisyas – farmers, craftspeople, traders•Sudras – laborers and non-Aryans
Over time social division became more complex….Developed into
the Caste System
Castes•Groups in Indian society based on a person’s birth, wealth, or occupation• at one time – 3,000 castes
Caste:Permanent or
Not?
Castes & Gender•All belonged to castes•Women (early Aryans) – ALMOST same rights• Time = laws limited rights of women
Untouchables
•Fell outside the social caste system•Dirtiest and unpleasant jobs
Mohandas Ghandi
•Untouchables – Harijans• “children of god”•Worked to raise status• 1949 – constitution gave them legal recognition and rights•Discrimination continues
Castes Rules•Sutras – guides that listed all the rules for the caste system•Broken rule: banned from home or castes = untouchables
Brahmanism•Religion of the Aryans• Even before coming to India•Beliefs based on Vedas
Vedas•Collection of books containing hymns, myths, rituals, and poems •Written by Aryan priests•Sanskrit•Veda – “knowledge” in Sanskrit
4Vedas•Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda and Atharva Veda•Rig Veda: Oldest – written before 1000 B.C. (1500 B.C.)•http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/rigveda/
Other Vedic Texts
•Written by priests • Contain thoughts on Vedas• Compiled into books• Explained:
-how to perform sacrifices-secret rituals-Upanishads
Upanishads•Written 600 B.C. (800 – 400 B.C.)•Reflections of religious students and teachers about the Vedas
Result•Vedas, Upanishads, other Vedic texts – basis of Indian religion for centuries•Began to blend with other cultures•Hinduism develops – main religion of India today