Hinduism Honors World History NE SS Standard 12.2.6 Terms Ahimsa- the principal of non-injury to living things Atman- the individual self, known after enlightenment to be identical with Brahman. Bhagavad-Gita- a portion of the Mahabharata, having the form of a dialogue between the hero Arjuna and his charioteer, the avatar Krishna, in which a doctrine combining Brahmanical and other elements is evolved. Brahman- the impersonal supreme being, the primal source and ultimate goal of all beings, with which Atman, when enlightened, knows itself to be identical. caste system- a social structure in which classes are determined by heredity dharma- essential quality or character, as of the cosmos or one's own nature. Terms Guru- a preceptor giving personal religious instruction. Karma- action, seen as bringing upon oneself inevitable results, good or bad, either in this life or in a reincarnation Moksha- freedom from the differentiated, temporal, and mortal world of ordinary experience. Reincarnation- the belief that the soul, upon death of the body, comes back to earth in another body or form. Upanishads- any of a class of speculative prose treatises composed between the 8th and 6th centuries b.c. and first written a.d. c1300: they represent a philosophical development beyond the Vedas, having as their principal message the unity of Brahman and Atman. Terms Vedas- the entire body of Hindu sacred writings, chief among which are four books, the Rig-Veda, the SamaVeda, the Atharva-Veda, and the Yajur-Veda. Yoga- a school of Hindu philosophy advocating and prescribing a course of physical and mental disciplines for attaining liberation from the material world and union of the self with the Supreme Being or ultimate principle. Symbols Swastika: Om: symbolize the suns rays which life depends on symbolize the beginning, duration, and dissolution of the universe and the associated gods Hinduism in the World Origin of Hinduism Hinduism History Hinduism is a term coined to designate the traditional socio-religious systems of the people of India. Hindus refer to their religion as Sanatana Dharma which loosely translated means “The Eternal Path”. Hinduism is the older, going back to the beginning of recorded history. Hindu civilization originated in the Gangetic and Indus valleys and from there spread out over the entire region of southeast Asia. Hindu philosophy/theology influenced the ancient Greeks since the time Alexander the Great conquered parts of north India. Hindu civilization continues as a vibrant and living vector, and has remained virtually unchanged for over 6000 years. Hindu communities are to be found in almost every country on earth. Basic Duties Ahimsa - do no harm Saucha - be clean Satya - do not lie Santosha - be content Asteya - do not steal Tapas - be self-disciplined Brahmacharya - do not overindulge Svadhyaya – study Aparigraha - do not be greedy Ishvara Pranidhana surrender to God Basic Duties dharma - fulfill moral, social and religious duties artha - attain financial and worldly success kama - satisfy desires and drives in moderation moksha - attain freedom from reincarnation News Article http://www.examiner.com/freethought-innational/hinduism-america-on-the-rise Hinduism is rising in America. There are temples that are being put up. One of the most recent is for the monkey god, Hunan in Frisco, Texas. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/02/opinion/lweb02hin du.html?_r=1&ref=hinduism Offerings to the Hindu Gods end up as Jamaica Bay trash could have presented a broader context to the causes of pollution in Jamaica Bay. Current Happenings Hinduism is the 4th largest religion in the world Hinduism is growing around the world