1. “Hinduism is as much a way of life, as it is a religion”

2. 1. History World’s oldest living religion No “correct” way to worship
Different cultures
Blending of Indian and Aryan
No “correct” way to worship
No one founder & no single text

3. 2. Supporters/Sects 900 million people, mainly in India
4 main denominations or sects

4. 3. Major Scriptures

5. The Vedas Originally oral
Collection of traditions, rituals and“eternal truths”
Oldest Hindu text

6. The Upanishads Means “to sit near” Helped to encode the Vedas
Stories, parables and poems
Help common people understand the “truths” in the Vedas

7. The Mahabharata & Ramayana
2 epic poems
Hindu mythology & beliefs
Reveals morals
Guide on how to live one’s life

8. 4. Goals Moksha Liberation (total freedom) Ultimate goal
Freeing of one’s soul from the body
To be one with Brahman
Break the cycle of reincarnation
This may take many lifetimes or not at all

9. Path of Attainment Puja Ganges River Daily rituals/worship
Done at home or temple
Bathe, recite prayers, light fires, make offerings
fasting
Ganges River
Bathing = spiritual cleansing
Cremation along the banks, ashes swept into the river

10. Beliefs Atman Ahimsa Essential self or true self
Life force or soul of ALL things
Ahimsa
Hindu ideal of non-violence
Respect for life
Stems from the beliefs about atman

11. Beliefs- Samsara Reincarnation or rebirth Cycle of birth-death-rebirth
Hindus strive to break cycle
Form of ones incarnation is determined by how they live their life.

12. Beliefs Determining one’s future caste or life form
Karma
“deeds”
determines the fate of one’s reincarnation
Too many bad deeds=lower caste
Good =move up or attain Moksha
Dharma
“duty”
Doing one’s duty in this lifetime
according to one’s caste

13. Deities (Gods)

14. Brahman Supreme Being 3 main gods & thousands of minor ones
God above all gods
Source of universal life
3 main gods & thousands of minor ones
The thousand headed one
Formless/nameless

15. Brahma
The creator god
Although present in many temples, not really worshiped

16. Vishnu The Preserver god Most popular branch of Hinduism
Kind, benevolent
Concerned about life and the world
Appears as:
Avatars: or incarnations

17. Shiva Destroyer god Has several forms Powerful, fickle and turbulent
Often worshiped through female partner Shekti

18. 6. Holidays

19. Devali (Diwali) Festival of light- renewal- new year’s Four days
Dedicated to goddess Lakshmi
She brings good luck
Lights, new clothes, perform puja, clean homes
October/November

20. Holi Celebration of spring In honor of Krishna (Vishnu)
Brightly colored paint, chalk or water is thrown on people, animals, and sacred objects