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Hinduism
Brahman (Great world soul)
Infinite number of forms
Vishnu : The Preserver
Shiva : The Destroyer
Samsara : Wheel of life
Brahman creates you, Vishnu is with you while you live, Shiva destroys you
We think of a linear view of history
India & China has a cyclical view of history...a coil
Wheel of life:
Reincarnation - Live life after life, working your way towards Brahman
Material life is an illusion, nothing is real, once you reach Brahman then you reach reality.
How do you reach Brahman?
Go through the caste system. If you die as an Untouchable and were good you go up.
Untouchables - lowest of the low, not part of the system, people with the darkest skin, preformed the nasties jobs, isolated.
Shudras - servants, slaves.
Vaishyas - Commoners
Kshatriyas - Warriors, or politicians
Brahmins - Priests
Dharma : the law of the world
Karma : how well you follow dharma