HINDUISM: AN INTRODUCTION

I. CONSIDERED THE OLDEST LIVING RELIGION *Sacred Mount Kailash in Tibet is regarded as the spiritual center of the world.Mount KailashTibet

II. CHIEF RELIGION OF INDIA Regions which are currently or were historically under classical Hindu rule.

III. SACRED TEXTS VEDAS UPANISHADS

IV. BRAHMAN HINDUS WORSHIP MANY GODS- GIVE BRAHMAN A CONCRETE FROM THAT IS MORE UNDERSTANDABLE THREE MAIN GODS OF HINDUISM BRAHMA - CREATOR VISHNU – PRESERVER SHIVA - DESTROYER

Brahma carving at a temple in Halebid

VISHNU

A giant statue in Bangalore depicting Shiva

V. REINCARNATION BELIEF IN REBIRTH OF THE SOUL IN VARIOUS FORMS TRUE GOAL OF LIFE IS MOKSHA »FREEING OF THE SOUL – THE ATMAN- FROM THE BODY SO IT CAN UNITE WITH BRAHMAN »CANNOT BE ACHIEVED IN ONE LIFETIME

VI. KARMA EVERY DEED IN THIS LIFE AFFECTS A PERSON’S FATE IN A FUTURE LIFE PERSON’S PRESENT SITUATION IS THERESULT OF HIS / HER DEEDS IN A PAST EXISTENCE GOOD DEEDS = Happiness EVIL DEEDS = Sorrow

VII. DHARMA DUTIES AND OBLIGATIONS PROVIDES A GUIDE TO CONDUCT “IF YOU FULFILL YOUR DHARMA, YOU WILL HAVE GOOD KARMA.” GIVES HINDUS A BETTER LIFE IN THE FUTURE (WHY?!?!)