1. HINDUISM

2. General
Hinduism is one of the world’s oldest and most complex religions. Practiced by over 900 million people, mainly in India, it is the root religion for several other Asian/Eastern religions and many different sects. For this reason, and because there is a wide variety of deities and practices, it is often considered an “umbrella” religion.

3. Explanation...
Although Hinduism is often considered polytheistic because of its many deities, it can also be considered monotheistic because each of these various deities are considered to be different manifestations of the one creator, brahman.

4. “One God, many manifestations” “The Thousand-headed spirit”

5. History
Hinduism is very complex because it has evolved over thousands of years through the blending of different cultures, mainly native Indian and Aryan religious practices and beliefs.

6. History Con’t...
Over time its teachings have been interpreted in a variety of ways and been altered by cultural and historical influences, thus there is no single “correct” way of worshipping, no single founder, and no single text encompassing “truths” or beliefs.

7. The Vedas
Sacred Hindu texts – originally oral – from the Aryans – a collection of traditions, rituals, and “eternal truths” revealed to wise men and eventually written down. The oldest of the Hindu texts.

8. Upanishads: “to sit near”
An explanatory companion to the Vedas – Discussions, essays, explanations about the “eternal truths” contained in the Vedas – like the nature of Atman & its connection to brahman

9. The Mahabharata & Ramayana
two long epic poems containing Hindu mythology and beliefs - with fables and analogies to reveal morals and a guide on how to live one’s life.
The Bhagavad Gita = part of the Mahabharata about a war – conversation between Prince Arjuna & his friend / charioteer (the god Krishna) – where they discuss Atman, Dharma & Karma

10. brahman
the Hindu concept of a Supreme Being, the God above all other gods. The “world soul” – the source of universal life

11. The Hindu Trinity
3 main gods
Together are part of brahman

12. Brahma
The Creator god
Although present in many temples, not often worshipped.

13. Vishnu The Preserver god
Most popular branch of Hinduism – is concerned about life and the world – kind and benevolent – comes to earth and appears in many forms called:
Avatars: or incarnations – Krishna is one

14. Shiva
The “destroyer” god – or “recycler” – must tear down, to build back up.
Considered powerful, not as popular for regular worship. Has several other manifestations. Considered fickle and turbulent.

15. Sect A branch or sub-division of a larger religion
Hinduism contains many sects

16. Beliefs, Practices, Rituals & Customs

17. Atman
The “essential self” or “true self” – the “life-force” or “soul” of ALL living things
A part of the universal life-force/soul brahman contained within all living things (vessels for atman)

18. *Because all living things contain atman – all atman is the same – thus to Hindus all life is valued, although some more than others – one reason why many, but not all, Hindus are vegetarian

19. Ahimsa
Hindu ideal of non-violence – respect for life – which stems from the beliefs about atman.

20. Moksha
Ultimate goal of all Hindus…to rejoin one’s atman with Brahman – it is the permanent freeing of one’s soul – or atman – from the body or earthly existence – true existence in purely spiritual form – to want for nothing and be one with brahman.
The breaking of the cycle of reincarnation – this may take thousands of lifetimes – or not at all

21. Samsara
Belief in the reincarnation or rebirth of the atman in various new earthly life forms. It is the cycle of birth-death-rebirth – which occurs over many lifetimes, in many forms.
Hindus strive to break this cycle – which continues because of one’s pursuit of the false goals of materialism and earthly pleasure.
The form that one’s next incarnation will take is determined by how they live this life.

22. Karma & Dharma
Determine one’s future caste or life-form

23. Karma
‘deeds’; process of performing good and bad deeds during your lifetime that determines the fate of your atman/reincarnation in your next lifetime. Too many bad deeds and you will move down in caste, or life-form…a pure, good life and you many move up or possibly attain Moksha.

24. Dharma
“duty,” doing one’s “duty”/obligation, or what is expected of them in this lifetime, according to the code of conduct (manu) for one’s caste.

25. Puja
Daily rituals/worship – can be done either at home or in a temple…Practices include:
bathe, recite prayers, light fires, make offerings of food, flowers & drink – sometimes fasting.

26. Puja & The Ganges River
Bathing in the Ganges River is thought to be spiritually cleansing – and will remove accumulated sin. This is also why people wish to be cremated along its banks and their ashes swept into the river.
Certain places along the Ganges are considered especially sacred – ex = Varanasi

27. *Influences:
Traditional music and dance are performed to illustrate scenes from Hindu scripture, temples and statues are built and carved to represent and honor Hindu deities. The foods people eat, their occupations, marriage partners and many other aspects of life were and still are in many cases determined by one’s caste.

28. Holidays / Festivals

29. Devali (Diwali)
Hindu festival of light – renewal – new year’s celebrations – four days – dedicated to the goddess Lakshmi, who brings good fortune – lights, new clothes, perform puja, clean homes – there are a variety of explanations for why the holiday is celebrated. Oct./Nov.

30. Holi
The celebration of spring – in honor of Krishna an embodiment of Vishnu – brightly colored paint, chalk or water is thrown on people, animals and sacred objects