HINDUISM

What is Hinduism? A philosophy and a way of life – focused both on this world and beyond One of the oldest religions of humanity dating back to 1500 BCE There are 950 million Hindus in the world today-the world’s third largest religion.

What is Hinduism? No single founder The religion of the Indian people Gave rise to Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism Goal: Escape the endless cycle of birth-death-rebirth. Achieve enlightenment called Nirvana.

Location of Hindus The vast majority of Hindus live in India and Nepal

Sacred Texts Vedas and Upanishads Rig Veda: Hinduism’s oldest text- nearly 4000 years old

Karma Karma: Total of good and bad actions a human soul carries with it from life to life.

Reincarnation The cyclic return of a soul to live another life in a new body. Samsara: constant cycle of rebirth. Death is not final for Hindus they expect to be reborn many times.

Reincarnation People may be reincarnated at a higher or lower level of existence depending on their karma from their present and past lives. People may be reborn as plants or animals or they may be elevated to a higher caste as a human.

Caste System: Class Division of Society Brahmin: priests Kshatriya: warriors and administrators Vaishyas: farmers, merchants, teachers, artisans Sudras: servants, laborers Untouchables: live outside the caste system.

Sudras Vaishyas Kshatriyas Brahmins Untouchables

Places of Worship Hindu temples exist but Hinduism is usually practiced in the home where there is usually a shrine dedicated to a favored deity (god).

The Major Gods Of Hinduism Brahma: The creator god and supreme god from which all other gods are made.

The Major Gods Of Hinduism Shiva: God of destruction and transformation so that new can be created. Vishnu: The preserver god.

The Ganges River Falling from its source of Vishnu’s feet onto Shiva’s head and out from his hair, the water of the Ganges is sacred enough to purify all sins.

Sacred Cow of India Milk holds a central place in religious rituals. In honor of their exalted status, cows often roam free. A citizen can be sent to jail for killing or injuring a cow.

Banaras - Hindu’s Holy City Pilgrims come from all over to bathe in the Ganges. Countless Hindus come to die near the Ganges 1500 temples in the city, most of them devoted to Shiva. It is a gathering place for the religiously learned and their disciples.

Shrines

Temples

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Ms Stewart’s Rhyme If you follow dharma and you have good karma then maybe in one of your lives you will achieve nirvana!

What do Hindus believe? One impersonal Ultimate Reality – Brahman Manifest as many personal deities True essence of life – Atman, the soul, is Brahman trapped in matter (“That art thou”) Reincarnation – atman is continually born into this world lifetime after lifetime (Samsara) Karma – spiritual impurity due to actions keeps us bound to this world (good and bad) Ultimate goal of life – to release Atman and reunite with the divine, becoming as one with Brahman (Moksha)

Mono OR Polytheistic? s/theism.htm

Origins: The Aryans An Indo-European people. Migrated to India in about 1500 BCE from the Caucus Mountains. Brought the Vedas. No single founder-combination of beliefs

Festivals and Holy Days No set day of the week is holy-each days has its possibilities Religious festivals may be solar or lunar-lunar is preferred There are 125 special days in the Hindu year with Diwali being an extra special celebration.

Diwali-Festival of Lights

Goal of Hinduism Moksha: release or liberation from the endless cycle of rebirth (reincarnation). Infinite bliss and awareness United forever with the divine

What are the spiritual practices of Hinduism? Yogas: seeking union with the divine Guru: a spiritual teacher