Hinduism Origins

• The Hindu belief system was developed over centuries by Brahmins and millions of practitioners.
• Today, approximately one billion people follow this faith, primarily in South Asia.

Introduction

• From 1500 to 500 BCE, people calling themselves Aryans gained political and cultural dominance in northern India.
• Aryans created the Vedas, sacred works that are the main source of information about this era.
• The traditional view is that Aryans invaded India from the north, conquering the indigenous population with superior military technology.
• The Nazis glorified the Aryans as a superior race and claimed links with them during the twentieth century.
• The Vedas present Aryan leaders as heroic figures, supported by priests and warriors.
• The Aryans recognized many gods and goddesses, who could be approached through Brahmin ceremonies.
• These rituals could help a person unite with the ultimate reality, brahman, the source of the universe.
• Originally, only Brahmin men living an ascetic life could achieve this union.
• The brahmanic religion developed into Hinduism, where individual worshippers could directly show devotion to gods without priests.
• Personal gods were honored through prayers, hymns, dancing, offerings, pilgrimages, and living an honorable life.

Religious Ideas and Practices

• The Upanishads, composed between 750 and 500 BCE, affirmed the high status of Brahmins.
• The universe was believed to be an endlessly repeating cycle of reincarnation called samsara.
• Karma, actions performed in life, determined status in the next life.
• The ultimate goal was to escape this cycle and achieve moksha, a state of liberation and union with brahman.
• Achieving brahman involved devotion to gods and goddesses and living a moral life, known as dharma.
• Dharma involves piety, moral law, ethics, order, duty, understanding, justice, and peace.
• Hinduism's moral and spiritual teachings were appealing because they offered direct contact with gods and guidance for life.
• Following rules and performing ceremonies could lead to being born into a higher status group in the next life.

Society and Family Life

• Ancient Aryan society distinguished among social groups, known as varna.
• The highest strata were Brahmins (priests) and Kshatriyas (warriors).
• Merchants formed the Vaishya strata, and peasants/laborers/conquered peoples were the Shudra strata.
• The Vedas portray this system as divinely created, with social divisions having religious sanctions.
• Skin color may have played a role, but societal roles were the key source of differentiation.
• Attitudes toward work also mattered: intellectual work was honored, while manual labor was demeaning.
• Occupational and geographic distinctions evolved into thousands of hereditary groups called jati.
• Each jati had a common identity, ancestors, roles, rituals, and status prescribed by custom.
• Jati were reinforced by endogamy (marrying within the group).
• New jati were created or older ones redefined due to technological change, cultural interactions, or migration.
• Portuguese traders in the late fifteenth century called these groups casta. This became the English word "caste."
• Certain tasks were considered beneath even the lowest Shudras, leading to the concept of "untouchables."
• Untouchables were scorned for their occupations, which were believed to pollute them.
• Scholars debate the rigidity of the caste system, with some arguing British rule codified it, while others stress unwritten norms.
• The family was the place to observe dharma, regardless of social group.
• Marriage was expected, with sexual pleasure, religious obligations, and having children as its purposes.
• Hindu deities include powerful female gods, but only male Brahmins could perform important religious ceremonies and study sacred texts.
• Brahmin girls learned housekeeping and domestic rituals, while widows were viewed as unlucky.
• After death, both men and women could hope for a favorable rebirth.

Political Developments and the Spread of Hinduism

• The Aryans established small kingdoms in northern India, with priests supporting rulers and vice versa.
• Persians and Greeks conquered parts of northwest India, but Indian rulers also created larger empires.
• These empires sometimes favored Buddhism or Hinduism.
• Hindu religious and social practices spread into Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia.
• In Southeast Asia, traditions fused with local ones and some groups identified with Indian castes.
• Huge stone temples were built, but indigenous gods and spirits retained power.
• The impact of caste was limited outside of South Asian migrants.
• South Asian migrants have taken Hinduism around the world in more recent times.
• About 95% of the billion Hindus today live in India.