ORIGINS OF HINDUISM

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ORIGINS OF HINDUISM
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The Vedic Age (1500 BCE - 500 BCE)
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Aryan Migration

• pastoral ? depended on their cattle.
• warriors ? horse-drawn chariots.

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Sanskrit writing
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The Vedas

• 1200 BCE-600 BCE.
• written in SANSKRIT.
• Hindu core of beliefs
• hymns and poems.
• religious prayers.
• magical spells.
• lists of the gods and goddesses.

Rig Veda ? oldest work.
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Varna (Social Hierarchy)
Brahmins
Kshatriyas
Vaishyas
Shudras
Pariahs Harijan ? Untouchables
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The Caste System
Brahmins
WHO IS
Kshatriyas

• The mouth?
• The arms?
• The legs?
• The feet?

Vaishyas
Shudras
What is a JATI?
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The Vedic Age
The foundations for Hinduism were established!
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Universal Soul brahman
Three Main Gods Brahma Vishnu Siva Creator Pre
server Destroyer
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Moksha

• Freedom of atman from cycle of rebirth
• Must fulfill dharma
• Karma follows to next reincarnation
• Ahimsa -- Jainism