Ancient India- Hinduism

Name_____ Subject____ Date_____ Period____

Origins of Hinduism Hinduism is one of the oldest religions in the world. It grew from the faith of the Aryans. Hinduism was formed when the Aryan religion combined with ideas from other Indian people. Hindus believe in one great spirit called Brahman. They also believe that all living things and even some gods are part of Brahman. Hindus believe that a persons soul will eventually join Brahman. Before that can happen, ho wever, a soul must live many liveseven some as an animal. The idea of living many lives in different forms, one after another, is called reincarnation. According to Hinduism, if people do the duties of their caste, they will get a better next life. They must follow dharma, or their personal duty. If a person follows dharma, then they have good karma. Do your duty to your caste Be reborn into a better life/Born into a caste Follow dharma

Create good karma

Karma is the result of how a person lives. If you have a good life and do your duty, you have a good karma and eventually, you will reach Brahman. If you have bad karma, you will be reborn into a lower caste or as an animal and will remain in the cycle of reincarnation. This belief in dharma and karma mean that people have to obey the rules of their caste because that is where they have to stay until their next lifetime. The idea of reincarnation gives them their only hope.

Read each statement. Mark each statement as True or False. If it is false, draw a line through the word that makes it false and put in the correct word over top of the word that makes the statement false. ______1.
Hinduism is one of the newest religions in the world.

________2. Hinduism was formed when the Aryan religion combined with ideas from other Indian people.

______3.

Hindus believe in one great spirit called dharma.

_______4. Hindus believe that a persons soul will eventually join Brahman. _______5. The idea of living many lives in different forms, one after another, is called reincarnation. _______6. According to Hinduism, if people do the duties of their caste, or social class they will get a better next life. _______7. . If a person follows Brahman, then they have good karma. _______8. . If you have good karma, you will be reborn into a lower caste or as an animal and will remain in the cycle of reincarnation.

______9. Enlightenment means to understand the meaning of life. ______10. To be born into a better life, you must follow dharma. .