Basic Beliefs of Hindusim

After the Harappan civilization collapsed a group called the Aryans migrated through the Hindu Kush into India from Central Asia.
The Aryans were seminomadic and fierce warriors.

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​Aryan Migration

Vedic Culture

Eventually the Aryan people began farming and settling in villages. The culture they developed was known as the Vedic Culture.

Vedic people worshiped many gods. Priests known as Brahmins performed rituals in the ancient language of Sanskrit. This religion was known as Brahminism. These rituals were recorded in the Vedas, a collection of religious texts. These ideas would develop into Hinduism.

​Hinduism is polytheistic

Brahman - universal spirit who takes many forms

The 3 main gods of Hinduism are:
Brahma - The Creator
Vishnu - The Protector
Shiva - The Destroyer

Hinduism has many goddess too: Saraswati, Parvati, and Lakshmi to name a few

Moral duty and proper conduct based on your social role and station in life.

​​DHARMA

The idea that your actions of consequences in this life and the next. People's actions and thoughts determine the kind of life you have after being reborn.

​​KARMA

Belief that the soul is eternal and reborn in different bodies over several life cycles.

​​REINCARNATION

Holy Texts

Just like how Christianity has the Bible, Hinduism has important religious writing.

The Vedas are a collection of rituals and hymns. The four Vedas make up the holiest texts in Hinduism.

Two epic poems are also important.
Mahabharata teaches the importance of living and acting righteously
Ramayana tells the story of Rama, the perfect king who fought evil in the world

A social system developed in Ancient India which affected people's culture, work, and even whom they could marry.

A person's dharma is dependent on their caste.

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Caste System