By: Elyse, Erin, Kellie, Payton, and Shannon

Activity One- YOGA! With traditional Hindu Yoga, there are four main spiritual paths Karma Yoga For a man’s active temperament Bhakti Yoga For a man’s devotional temperament Raja Yoga For a man’s mystic temperament Jnana Yoga For a man’s rational and philosophical temperament Yoga means union with God.

Tad asana-Mountain pose

Ardha Chandrasana-Half Moon Pose

Virabhadrasana II-Warrior Pose II

Cat-Cow Sequence -Cat Cow Pose

History of Hinduism 2000BCE-1000 Aryan nomads migrated into the Indus Valley Settled with the Indus Valley people. They brought their religious beliefs and language The Aryan religion and the Indus Valley religion influenced each other Eventually they combined together to create HINDUISM The main writings are the Vedas; “The Books of Knowledge” A collection of hymns, poems, rituals, and legends With the creation of Hinduism there was also the creation of the Caste System Hinduism is the religion of India and is practiced the most there.

Religious Beliefs Hindus practice pantheism( they believe in more than one God) 3 main Gods Brahma- The Creator Vishnu- The Preserver Siva- The Destroyer There are many other Gods and Goddesses (no one really knows how many) Hindus believe in spiritual things A universal spirit is present among all life All living things have a soul Souls are part of one eternal spirit Reincarnation Rebirth of the soul the soul can pass through many lives Karma Determines the cycle of rebirth How people live their life determines how they live in the next life

Beliefs continued… Hindus practice good Karma in order to achieve Nirvana also known as Moksha Moksha Achieved when someone reaches a life of perfection The rebirth cycle ends Releases people from the pain and suffering of rebirth Completes oneness with Brahman( The creator) All Hindus that strive to live a good life, live a life without violence, this is called Ahmisa

Activity Two- Draw a God Brahma- The Creator Vishnu- The Preserver Siva(Shiva)- The Destroyer Based on their titles, draw one of the gods how you depict it.

BrahmaSivaVishnu

Daily Practices Puja is Hindu worship Includes Murtis or images Mantras or prayers Yantras or diagrams of the universe Hindu worship is more individual than communal Homes usually have alters There they give offerings to a specific god and perform Mantras Prayers should be said 3 times a day or more(strictly) Some people wear sacred threads over their right shoulder while praying. They are different for each class Cotton Hemp Wool

Temple Worship Hindu temples have different rooms that have different meanings. The central shrine is the heart of the worshiper The tower represents the flight of the spirit to heave n. Usually priests recite the Vedas to worshipers. However “twice born” Hindus can also read the Vedas, perform prayers, and mantras.

Religious Rites Religious rites are separated into 3 categories Nitya Performed daily at home shrines. Offerings and prayers. Naimittika These rituals only happen at certain times of the year during certain celebrations. Kamya Optional but desirable. Pilgrimage is one of these rituals.

Worship and Pilgrimage Pilgrimage is important in Hinduism. “it is the undertaking to see or be seen by the deity.” Popular pilgrimage places are: Rivers Temples Mountains Other sacred sites The Ganges river is the holiest river. Kumbh Mela happens every 12 years People gather together and bathe where the Ganges and Jumna river combine. They believe their sins will be washed away

Varna- The Caste System The caste system is a social class system. It has been around in India and the Hindu religion for a long time. The caste system is illegal by law, however people are still faithful to it. Four main social classes plus one Brahmins: Priests Highest vernal, emerged from Brahma’s mouth Kshatriyas: Warriors Made from Brahma’s arms Vaishyas: Skilled workers Artesian/merchants, came from Brahma’s thighs Shudras: Unskilled workers/servants Lowest Varna, emerged from Brahma’s feet “untouchables” Too low to even be in the system The four main classes are then split up into smaller groups called Jati

Activity Three- Experience the Caste System

Holy days Holi Spring festival for Krishna Navaratri Triumph over good vs. evil

Works cited BBC News: Hinduism BBC News Hindu Beliefs Contender Ministries Hindu Yoga. Global oneness, co-creating a happy world Hindus and Hinduism: Negatives Religious Tolerance