Hinduism is practiced by about 1.2 billion people worldwide and is the world's third largest religion. Today, people who practice Hinduism can be found throughout the world but it originated in India and Hindus make up 80-90% of India's population today. Hinduism has fascinating customs, festive holidays, and wise teachings about the individual and the universe.
Teaching about various world religions is a vital component to the study of world history, geography, and culture. The study of religion is a powerful way for students to learn more about world history and the belief systems that have influenced human culture for millennia.
Vocabulary is the knowledge of words and what they mean. Learning and using new vocabulary is something that continues and expands throughout our lives, and is way more than simply looking up and memorizing a definition.
Have students define and illustrate key terms related to Hinduism to help them understand the unit!
Storyboard Text
VEDAS
BRAHMAN
BRAHMA
VISHNU
SHIVA
The Vedas are the earliest and most sacred Hindu scriptures. They are written in early Sanskrit but are believed to have been first passed down orally. They contain hymns, philosophy, guidance on rituals for Vedic priests. The four chief collections are the Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda, and Atharva Veda
Brahman, not to be confused with Brahma, is the entire universe and all the matter that makes up the universe, one and the same. It is the ultimate reality underlying all phenomena.
The first god in the Hindu triumvirate, Brahma is known as the Creator. The other two gods are Vishnu the Preserver and Shiva the Destroyer. Brahma's job was creation of the world and all its creatures.
The second god in the Hindu triumvirate, Vishnu is the Preserver and protector of the universe. Vishnu's job is to return to the earth in times of trouble to restore the balance of good and evil.
The third god in the Hindu triumvirate, Shiva is known as the Destroyer. Shiva's job is to destroy the universe in order to recreate it and make it better.
KARMA
AHIMSA
HINDUISM VOCABULARY
LAKSHMI
GANESHA
(in Hinduism and Buddhism) the sum of a person's actions in this and previous states of existence, viewed as deciding their fate in future existences.
"No one who does good work will ever come to a bad end, either here or in the world to come." - Lord Krishna, Mahabharata
(in the Hindu, Buddhist, and Jainist tradition) Ahimsa means respect for all living things and avoidance of violence toward others.
Lakshmi is the popular Hindu goddess of wealth, purity, and good fortune as well as the wife of the god Vishnu.
Ganesha, Ganesh, or Ganapati, is the elephant-headed Hindu god of beginnings, who is traditionally worshipped before embarking on a new enterprise and is the patron of intellectuals, bankers, scribes, and authors. He is also a remover of obstacles.