Hinduism
By: Jordan Andreano and Kobe Balding
Caste System
Groups were assigned by birth not personality. There are four main groups and one more group called the untouchables, which are those outside the caste system.
Brahmin and Kshatriya (Top Castes)
Brahmin are the priests or reflective ones, they are the intellectual or spiritual leaders. Kshatriyas are the born administrators such as noblemen, warriors, and rajah. They are the protectors of society, an example of a Kshatriya in the modern world is someone in the police or military force.
Vaishya (Middle Caste)
Vaishyas are the craftmen, artisans, and farmers.
Shudra (Low Caste)
Shudras are the unskilled or labor class.
Reincarnation
Reincarnation is the rebirth of a soul in a new body. A soul reincarnates again and again on earth until it becomes perfect and reunites with its Source. During this process the soul enters into many bodies, assumes many forms and passes through many births and deaths. The Hindu theory of creation suggests that creation begins when the individual souls become separated from the undifferentiated One. It continues as the evolution of life and consciousness in matter progresses upon earth in phase.
Karma
Dharma
Dharma is the moral order of the universe and a code of living that embodies the fundamental principles of law, religion, and duty that governs all reality. The Hindu worldview asserts that is one by following one’s dharma, a person can eventually achieve liberation from the cycle of death and rebirth. A person’s duties are dependent upon his or her age, gender, occupation, and caste;dharma is construed at least in part in terms of prescribed rituals and caste obligations.
Nirvana
Nirvana is a place of peace and happiness similar to the idea of heaven. In the Hindu religion, Nirvana is the highest state someone can attain.
Gurus
Gurus are personal spiritual teacher teachers or guide. In the educational system of ancient India, knowledge of the Vedas was personally transmitted through oral teachings from the guru to his pupil. Later on, the guru was venerated as the leader or founder of any of a number of sects ( many of which now included women and some of which had women gurus). The guru was also considered to be the living embodiment of the spiritual truth professed by the sect and thus was identified with the deity.The guru is frequently treated with the same respect paid the deity during worship, and the guru’s birthday is celebrated by his followers as a festival day.
The Ganges River
The Ganges River is personified as the goddess Ganga in ancient text and in Hindu art (The goddess of wellness and purification). Many ancient stories have been written in the Hindu religion about the Ganges river. Ashes of the cremated are often spread across the Ganges river.
Sources
http://philosophy.lander.edu/oriental/caste.html
https://www.hinduismtoday.com/modules/smartsection/item.php?itemid=431 https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/nirvana http://www.hinduwebsite.com/reincarnation.asp https://berkleycenter.georgetown.edu/essays/dharma-hinduism https://www.britannica.com/topic/guru-Hinduism