ALICIA HEYBLOM

Date: 9-12-14
Hour: 1st hour

Subject: World History

HINDUISM PROJECT:

LOCATION:
Hinduism originated in India. It has also been spread
to other parts of the world including Eastern and
Southern Africa, Southeast Asia, the East Indies, and
England.

WHEN:
Hinduism began about 4,000 years ago. It was the
religion of the Aryans or the noble people.

HOW THE WORLD WAS CREATED:

According to Hinduism the world was created by
gods. They believe that the god Brahma (creator
god) created the world.

GODS AND GODDESSES:

Durga: Goddess, most popular, got the name Durga
after killing the demon Durgamaasura.

Parvati: Goddess, the divine mother, also known as the

tridev (triple goddess)
Vishnu: God, the preserver, is the main god of
Vaishnavism.
Saraswati: Goddess of knowledge, music, and the arts.

THE CASTE SYSTEM:

The caste system: system of social hierarchy, which separated communities into
groups called castes.
Groups include:

Brahmins: Priests, artists, and teachers.

Kshatriyas: Protected society by fighting in wartime and governing in peacetime.
Vaishyas: Traditional roles in agriculture and cattle-rearing but over time became
landowners, traders, and money-traders.
Shudras: Performed functions of serving the other 3 groups.

ATMAN:
Atman: eternal self, the spiritual life principle of the
universe, (persons soul).

DHARMA:
Dharma: The principle of cosmic order, the natural
universal laws that enables humans to be contented
and happy and to save himself from suffering.

VEDAS:
Vedas: Most ancient Hindu scriptures, collections of
hymns and other religious texts. (between 1500 and
1000 BCE), includes poems, prayers, etc.

ULTIMATE GOAL OF EXISTENCE:

What the Hindus believed to be the ultimate goal
of existence was to be united with Brahma (creator
god), and to perform the proper sacrifices to the
gods.