Hinduism

Brahman

The Universal Spirit

Reincarnation

Being born again after death into a new body.

Samsara

The cycle of repeated births and rebirths

Karma

how you live determines your destiny in the next life

Dharma

The code for living your life

Moksha

The ultimate spiritual goal to become one with Brahman and escape Samsara

The Four Paths to Moksha

Knowledge, Meditation, Devotion, Good Works,

Brahma

The creator god

Vishnu

The preserver god

Shiva

The destroyer god

Vedas

The ancient scriptures and texts of Hinduism

Pilgrimage

Journey to a sacred or holy place

Temple

Holy place of worship

Diwali

Festival of Lights--Bringing Light to Darkness, Truth where Untruth Exists, and Life Where Death Exists

Indus

The river valley in which the Ancient Indian civilization developed

Harappa and Mohenjo Daro

Two cities of the Ancient Indus River Valley civilization

Indus Valley Civilization Inventions/Innovations

Sewage system, natural air conditioning of buildings, writing system, very little warfare

Archeology

the study of ancient cultures based on artifacts and other remains

Causes of the downfall of the Indus Valley civilization

Many historians believe the Indus civilisation collapsed because of changes to the geography and climate of the area.

Polytheism

the belief in, or worship of, more than one god