Religion
founder, time, place,
Holy Books
Spread of religion: How? Where? (diffusion: trade? Conquest? War?)
Beliefs
Social impact
Hinduism
Hinduism has no single founder. instead thousands of teachers have contributed their own piece of information to it.
since it has no exact founder Hinduism also does not have an exact time of founding.
Hinduism had its roots in India
the holy books include The Vedas, the primary book of knowledge. These is divided into four books: the Rig-Veda, the Sama-Veda, the Yajur-Veda, and the Atharva-Ved. the Upanishads, the Puranas, the Ramayana, The Mahabharata and the Bhagavad Gita, and several other small texts.
Was at first spread by the Indo-Aryans who introduced it to the natives.
Since Hindus were born into their religion
they did not try to convert people. however it started in India and spread to southeast Asia
The decline of the Guptas caused
invasion of the Huns. The Huns favored Hinduism. because it had a custom of the caste system.
Due to merchants, it was able to spread throughout Southern India and Southeast Asia.
Believe that one’s atman (soul) is reincarnated to purify
itself to reunite with the universal spirit
Each person must perform
dharma (set of duties)
to achieve karma (destiny)
If dharma is fulfilled, one is reincarnated to a higher status, therefore being closer to
achieving moksha (reunion with universal spirit)
All gods are part of
the universal spirit God
exists in many forms; worship performed in manner one chooses.
Women were restricted to doing household activities at home. Cleaning the house, raising the children and teaching them religious values, tend to their husbands, and cook....