1. Hinduism
Chapter 4 pg

2. Introduction
The name Hindu is universally accepted as the word that refers to the indigenous religion of India.
Hindu, however, is not of Indian, but of Persian, orgin.
The term Hindus was used by early Persians to speak of the inhabitants on the other side of the Sindhu River.
Today the word Hinduism is used to refer to their religion.

3. Hindu elements most familiar to Canadians
Vegetarianism
Reincarnations
Meditation and yoga
Hinduism’s roots run far from Canadian shores, but its modern face is a vibrant part of the current Canadian reality.

4. Origins Hinduism was NOT founded by a particular individual
It absorbed ideas and practices that suited its social and cultural framework as it evolved over thousands of years.
It’s the product of the various peoples that occupied the region of India through time, explaining its diverse and complex nature.
Although this is the case, the foundation was probably laid by two groups of people- the Indus Valley civilization and the Aryans.

5. The Indus Valley Civilization
The earliest evidence of religious thought in India was uncovered along the banks of the Indus River in 1926.
Remains from a civilization in the Indus Valley between 3000 and 2500 BCE were discovered.
The Indus Valley Civilization (or Harappa culture) extended over the area that is now Pakistan and northwestern India.

6. People of the Indus Valley Civilization
Evidence shows signs of impressive builders and town planners.
Lived in cities that included central area for civic activities and residential zones.
Some houses contained drainage and sewer systems.

7. Discoveries around the Indus River
Many amulets, or charms that protect against evil
Thousands of flat seals. Some of which depict a man wearing a head-dress seated in a yoga-like position, surrounded by animals.
*May be an early representation of the Hindu god Shiva.
Fire altars and pits lined with bricks, containing ashes and animal bones
*suggesting participation in religious activities like fire rituals and animal sacrifices.

8. The Arrival of the Aryans
Around 1500 BCE, thousands of people migrated into India from the northwest, destroying the Indus Valley civilization.
It was believed that they came from Central Asia and spoke an early form of the ancient language of Sanskirt.
First settled near the river Sindhu and later migrated to the area along the Ganges River.

9. - Aryan settlers created poems and texts on rituals and philosophy.
Aryan religious thought was embodied in a collection of hymns, ritual texts, and philosophical works called Vedas.
* Vedas are considered Hinduism’s earliest sacred writings
Considered to be authoritative scripture
The earliest is the Rig-Veda, constituting the earliest record of sacred knowledge on Hinduism.
Worshipped forces of nature in the form of deities, or gods.
Worshipped fire- Agni- and believe that it was a link between gods and humans

10. Atman Defined as the human soul or spirit
The part of our innermost self that is identical to Brahman, the universal soul.
A Hindu’s goal in life would be to reunite the atman with the Brahman.

11. Beliefs Described as non-dogmatic
One is free to worship any set of doctrines or rules as his or her conscience dictates.
Doesn’t impose its religious beliefs on others.
Doesn’t believe in conversion
Expected to follow certain rules in their personal conduct and in their performance of daily duties
A vast body of rituals exist of almost every station and stage of life.
Hinduism is a complex web of diverse beliefs and practices generally held together by considerable mutual tolerance and respect.
Many Canadians are challenged by the Hindu view of an unreal world, varied conceptions of god, and a unique view of reality.

12. Concept of God Not easy for non-Hindus to understand
Some describe it as polytheistic
(belief in more than one god)
Some describe it as monotheistic
(belief in only one god)
Might also be described as monistic
(Where god is an impersonal and unknowable entity.)
These three different concepts of God is what scholars refer to as Hinduism’s “tolerant characteristic.”

13. Brahman Upanishads refer to his supreme being as Brahman.
An entity without form and quality.
The soul of the universe from which all existing things arise and into which they all return.
Everything and everywhere
The essence is divine, invisible, unlimited, and indescribable.
Hindus are free to imagine Him or Her in any why that is meaningful to them.
Worship different deities that they consider manifestations, or expressions, of Brahman.

14. Hindu Deities Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva
Manifestations of Brahman are the gods:
Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva
Often depicted as one concept, called the Hindu Trinity
The each have a female counterpart

15. Brahma- (female counterpart is Saraswati)
the creator of the universe
Has four faces and is seated on a lotus
Holds a book, a rosary, and a gourd.
Not as widely worshipped as Shiva and Vishnu
Saraswati
The goddess of learning and the arts
Depicted holding a book and a musical instrument
Her vehicle is a peacock or a swam
She is often portrayed alone

16. Vishnu- (female counterpart is Lakshmi
The preserver of the universe
loving, and forgiving
Bring salvation
Has four arms in which he holds a conch shell, a discus, a lotus, and a mace.
His vehicle is a divine eagle
Has many avatars
Appears on earth in the form of an animal or a human in order to conquer evil and establish righteousness.
Is often accompanied by his companion Lakshmi.
Lakshmi
The goddess of wealth, happiness and good fortune.
Blesses her worshippers with wealth and liberation.
Often shown rewarding worshippers with gold.

17. Shiva- (female counterpart is Parvati)
The destroyer and restorer of the universe
Associated with creative energy
Holds a trident, a rosary, and a gourd in his hands.
His vehicle is a bull
Also depicted as Nataraj, the god of dance.
Shown holding a drum, serpent, and sacred fire in his hands while performing the dance of creation.
Parvati
A mother goddess whom Hindus worship as Shakti, or female energy.
Takes on many forms
Depicted as Durga, the warrior goddess, in which case she is portrayed riding a tiger and holding many weapons in her hands
Also as Kali, the fierce destroyer of evil

18. Other Hindu Deities Ganesha Subrahmanya Hanuman
son of Shiva and Parvati
Human body and eleohant’s head
The remover of all obstacles
Subrahmanya
The second son of Shiva and Parvati
Also called Kartikeya
Widely worshipped by the Tamil population in southern India.
Hanuman
Monkey god
A model of devotion and everyone’s protector

19. Caste System Has it’s roots in Vedic hymns on creation
Divides humanity into four classes (from highest to lowest)
Brahmins
Kshatriyas
Vaishyas
Sudras
They are born into each caste based on their karma from previous lives.
People of different caste systems are not allowed to dine or marry eachother.

20. Caste System today
India’s Charter of Rights bans discrimination on the basis of gender, caste, race, or religion.
A number of social welfare programs have been put in place to improve the living conditions of those who have suffered as a result of the caste system

21. Four Aims of Goals of Life
Dharma: Conducting duties with compassion toward all beings
Artha: earning money by honest means
Kama: pursuing love and physical pleasures
Moksha: leading the soul toward salvation through honest and moral actions.

22. Milestones Naming a child A child’s first outing First solid food
First haircut
Tread initiation ceremony
Marriage
All of the above milestones in the life of a Hindu is important and are celebrated in various ways.

23. Arranged Marriages
The majority of Hindu marriages in India are arranged.
Families feel disgraced and devastated if a girl does not marry or if her marriage fails.
Resistance to arranged marriages is becoming a growing social problem.
Check out “First comes marriage, then comes love” on page 138

24. Hinduism in Canada Exceeds 300,000
Majority live in Greater Toronto Area
Diverse community from India, Sri Lanka, Guyana, Trinidad, England, and many east African countries
Brought with them different values and customs native to their countries, and the embrace different deities.
There are learning centres where interested members are tutored in traditional vocal and instrumental music and dance in Southern Ontario.