1. Hinduism

2. Hinduism Origins: No single founder
But defined as religion of “those who believe in the Vedas, follow the dharma of the four varnas, and the stages of life”

3. Hinduism
Origins:
Slowly evolved from ancient Aryan culture in India around 1500 BC
Incredibly complex variations as a result
Because of variations, Hinduism is very tolerant

4. Hinduism
Beliefs:
Estimated 330 million different gods worshipped among all of India’s Hindus
Followers may most often describe Hinduism as monotheistic
How is this possible?

5. Hinduism Beliefs: Brahman
Nameless, formless, unlimited supreme force of such complexity it is unimaginable to humans

6. Hinduism
Beliefs:
Vishnu
-preserver of life
Shiva
-destroyer

7. Hinduism
Beliefs:
Each family may worship hundreds of additional minor deities specific to a particular village or family
Some include:

8. Hinduism
Beliefs:
Ganesha
God of wisdom

9. Hinduism
Beliefs:
Saraswati
Goddess of knowledge & the arts

10. Hinduism Beliefs: Durga
Goddess of war & female creative energy (shakti)

11. Hinduism
Beliefs:
Krishna

12. Hinduism Beliefs: Ahimsa: Absence of desire to injure others
Reincarnation (samsara)
After death the soul leaves the body & is reborn in the body of new person or animal
Life is cyclical - seen as endless entanglement

13. Hinduism Beliefs: Reincarnation – cont.
Quality of new birth determined by accumulated merit and demerit that result from actions (karma)

14. Hinduism
Beliefs:
Thus reincarnation & karma are the result of life’s stages and goals
Stages
Goals
Pure Student
Chaste study
Householder
Gradual Detachment
Renunciation
Withdraw from world
Dharma
Righteous behavior
Material success
Pleasure
Moksha
Release

15. Hinduism
Practices:
Unity of Hinduism comes from what followers “do” rather than what they “believe”
In this way, Hinduism has a profound impact on all aspects of life

16. Hinduism Practices: Every Aspect of Life:
In times without television or radio, entertained by stories of epic poems & mythology
Daily bathing & removing shoes before entering a house reflects beliefs of purity & pollution

17. Hinduism Practices: Every Aspect of Life:
Reverence for Brahmins & cows
Abstention from meat (esp. beef)
Marriage within caste
Hope of producing male heirs
Make offerings to gods
Daily ritual in home
Ceremonially in temple
Socially celebrate rites of passage

18. Hinduism Practices: Caste System
Most important characteristic of Hindu practice
Society is divided into four strict hierarchical ranks: caste or varna
Brahmans: teachers, priests
Kshatriyas: warriors, princes
Vaishyas: merchants
Sudras: commoners

19. Hinduism Practices: Caste System
Even each varna is broken is sub-castes or jati
Determines occupation, marriage, status, ability to end cycle of rebirths (only Brahmins)
Below caste structure is a group so polluted they are untouchable: dalits or scheduled castes

20. Hinduism Practices: Seemingly contradictory life paths
Those seeking rewards of world
Follow first 3 life stages & goals in an attempt to fulfill one’s dharma
Those seeking release from world
Follow final life stage to gain unity with Brahman (universal) & be released from rebirths

21. In what ways is Hinduism polytheistic? Monotheistic?
Reflection:
In what ways is Hinduism polytheistic? Monotheistic?