1. Hinduism

2. 950,000,000 followers (14% of world’s population) Oldest living religion 8,500 years old. Mainly on Indian subcontinent –India, Nepal, and Mauritius are Hindu majority countries

3. Spread of Hinduism around the World

4. Hinduism by the Numbers

5. Roots of Hinduism Originated near the Indus river No specific founder, single teacher nor prophets Monotheistic The Vedas (1200 B.C. – 800 B.C.) are the earliest and most sacred documents.

6. Brahman Supreme Reality or God that is: –All pervading and absolute reality –Beyond description –Worshipped in various forms, male and/or female, and by many names Many Hindu communities may have their own divinities whom they worship, but these are simply different ways of approaching the Ultimate.

7. Brahman Contrary to popular understanding, Hindus recognize one God. The gods of Hindu faith represent different expressions of Brahman. 3 principle gods: –Brahma: Creator –Vishnu: Preserver –Shiva: considered the creator, preserver and destroyer by those that worship him

8. Foundation of Hinduism There are no denominations in Hinduism, but it can be divided by other categories Most Hindus belong to one of four major deity traditions: –Shaiva –Shakta –Vashnava –Smarta Many share the same traditions and beliefs, but the central deity or some philosophical tenets differ

9. Foundation of Hinduism Reincarnation - endless cycle of life. When the cycle of rebirth thus comes to an end, a person is said to have attained moksha, or salvation from reincarnation.

10. Foundation of Hinduism Dharma –Mode of conduct most conducive to spiritual advancement –Includes universal human values and values specific to an individual's stage in life (i.e. student, parent).

11. Foundation of Hinduism Karma is the value of all life’s actions. An individual’s every action produces an appropriate outcome. "I am the owner of my karma. I inherit my karma. I am born of my karma. I am related to my karma. I live supported by my karma. Whatever karma I create, whether good or evil, that I shall inherit." The Buddha, Anguttara Nikaya V.57 - Upajjhatthana Sutta

12. Sources http://www.pitt.edu/~sorc/hindu/abouthindu ism.htmlhttp://www.pitt.edu/~sorc/hindu/abouthindu ism.html http://hafsite.org/