1. Heritage of South Asia Chapter 8
Section 1 Religious Traditions

2. Basic Hindu Beliefs The Chief Religion of India
Has no founder or formal Church

3. Sacred Texts Vedas Upanishads
Contain eternal truths that were revealed to wise men.
Upanishads
Help explain the ideas in the Vedas

4. Hindu Gods Brahman Hindus worship thousands of gods
Each god is part of a single supreme force known as:
Brahman

5. Brahma
The Creator, Brahma is the god first represented in the Hindu Triad. He is the creator of the universe and all living beings are said to have evolved from him

6. Vishnu: The Preserver
is the second god of the Hindu triad and as the preserver of the universe represents mercy and goodness

7. Shiva: The Destroyer
Last of the Trimutis (3 Gods), He is seen as the destroyer of all evil, and is said to be the “Angry God”

8. Shiva and Nandi
Nandi or “The Bull” is what Shiva is said to ride upon.
This is the reason the bull is viewed as a sacred animal in Hindu beliefs

9. Ganesha: The elephant God
He represents "perfect wisdom" and is highly loved and worshiped by his devotees. Ganesha is considered to be the “Remover of Obstacles" and a “Bringer of Prosperity

10. Religions of the United States

11. The Religions of India

12. Hindu Beliefs Atman Unity of all life
All things in nature are part of the same universal soul
Reincarnation
Rebirth of the soul in different forms
Karma
Every deed, mental or physical in this life affects a person’s fate in future life.

13. BUDDHISM Siddhartha Gautama became known as “The Buddha”
Left his life of wealth and searched the world for the cause of human misery
Established the 4 Noble Truths

14. Fasting before his enlightenment under the bodhi tree

15. Buddhist Quotes
“You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection”
― Gautama Buddha

16. “Three things can not hide for long: the Moon, the Sun and the Truth.”
― Gautama Buddha

17. “An insincere and evil friend is more to be feared than a wild beast; a wild beast may wound your body, but an evil friend will wound your mind.”
― Gautama Buddha

18. “The tongue like a sharp knife… Kills without drawing blood.”- Buddha

19. “You only lose what you cling to.”
― Gautama Buddha

20. The Eight Auspicious Symbols
Lotus flower. Representing purity and enlightenment.
Endless knot, or, the Mandala. Representing harmony.
Golden Fish pair. Representing conjugal happiness and freedom.
Victory Banner. Representing a victorious battle.
Wheel of Dharma or Chamaru in Nepali Buddhism. Representing knowledge. Siddhartha Gautama became known as “The Buddha” .

21. Treasure Vase. Representing inexhaustible treasure and wealth.
Parasol. Representing the crown, and protection from the elements.
Conch shell. Representing the thoughts of the Buddha

22. The Buddha

23. The 4 Noble Truths Suffering is universal
The Cause of Suffering is Desire
The Only way to end suffering, is to end desire
The way to end desire is to follow the Noble Eightfold Path, understanding of the cause of human suffering, compassion, kindness and truthfulness to reach Nirvana.