2. Introductory Questions: Hinduism
Where did Hinduism originate?
Hinduism is considered a major world religion. Why do you think this is?
Is Hinduism polytheistic or monotheistic?

3. Basics of Hinduism Originated in India
Dates back to 1500 BCE and many consider it the oldest religion in the world
Third largest religion (# of adherents)
Practiced by 80% of India’s inhabitants
Derivative of word Hindu is the geographical term (Sindu River or Indus Valley)
Hinduism originated in the area now called India and is still practiced by 80% of its inhabitants. Hinduism is considered a major world religion because of its approximately 700 million believers and its has influence on many other religions during its long history. Some authorities date it back to about 1500 BC and consider it the oldest religion in the world. This religion cannot be traced to a specific founder and does not have only one "holy book" as a spiritual guide. Unlike most other religions, Hinduism does not promote the worship of one particular deity. A Hindu may worship one or many different manifestations of the divine. They consider themselves successful Hindus when the reach the "Ultimate Reality" or nirvana in their lives.

4. Origins of Hinduism Aryans Indus Valley 1500 BCE 4000 – 2200 BCE
Poems and ritual texts called VEDAS (early sacred writings)
Rig Veda – the oldest of the Sacred Texts
Agni - worshipped forces of nature as gods
Atman - human soul
Indus Valley
4000 – 2200 BCE
Built houses for worship
Stone sculptures and charms to ward off evil
Fire altars & animal sacrifices
Rig Veda- authoritative scripture; earliest is Rig Veda which is earliest record of sacred knowledge which gave verse to interpretations called Brahmanas and mystical texts of human existence called Upanishads
AGNI- worshipped forces of nature as gods; worshipped fire (AGNI) as link between gods and humans formed core of early Hindu practices
ATMAN- emergence of atman (human soul) from Upanishads and prayer as breath of human life and fundmental aspect of Hinduism

5. Sacred Texts VEDAS Composed in Sanskrit
Vedas literally means “knowledge“
Vedas called “Shruti” by the Hindus
RIG VEDA
Upanishads – mystical texts on human existence
EPICS
Ramayana – Hindu Epic of about verses including hero story of Rama
Mahabharata and Bhagavad Gita
Legal Codes
Laws of Manu
Sanskrit (saṃskṛtam संस्कृतम्) is an Indo-European Classical language of India and a liturgical language of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. It has a position in India and Southeast Asia similar to that of Latin and Greek in Europe, and is a central part of Hindu tradition. It is one of the oldest Indo-European languages in the world and boasts a rich tradition of poetry, literature, and philosophical and religious texts
There are actually 4 Vedas (branches of knowledge)
RIG VEDA = oldest text of 1028 hymns of praise or requests
Upanishads (philosophical commentary in Vedas = more influence on modern day practices)
Upanishads- deal with Vedic philosophy and form the conclusions of each of the Vedas. Specifically, they elaborate on how the soul (atman) can b united with the ultimate truth (Brahman) through contemplation, meditation, as well as the doctrine of karma (personal action)
Ramayana- hero Prince Rama on various adventures displaying superior virtues and battle evil
Mahabharata- longest story ever; conflict between man’s soul and good and evil; stress good values and moral lesson that forces of righteousness win out -best known is Bhagavad-Gita= universal soul and human soul will unite ; display bhakti yoga which is the intense devotion to a personal saviour god portrayed by Krishna

6. Hindu Beliefs & Deities
Categorizing the religion of Hinduism is somewhat confusing:
POLYTHEISTIC= worships multiple deities: gods and goddesses
MONOTHEISTIC = it recognizes only one supreme God: the panentheistic principle of Brahman, that all reality is a unity. The entire universe is seen as one divine entity who is simultaneously at one with the universe and who transcends it as well
TRINITARIAN= Brahman is simultaneously visualized as a triad -- one God with three persons: Brahma (the Creator) Vishnu (the Preserver, Shiva (the Destroyer)
HENOTHEISTIC= recognize a single deity, and recognizes other gods and goddesses as facets, forms, manifestations, or aspects of that supreme God
Brahma (the Creator) who is continuing to create new realities Vishnu, (Krishna) the Preserver, who preserves these new creations. Whenever dharma (eternal order, righteousness, religion, law and duty) is threatened, Vishnu travels from heaven to earth in one of ten incarnations. Shiva, the Destroyer, is at times compassionate, erotic and destructive. Strictly speaking, most forms of Hinduism are henotheistic; they recognize a single deity, and recognizes other gods and goddesses as facets, forms, manifestations, or aspects of that supreme God.

7. Brahman HINDU TRINITY Brahma (Saraswati) Shiva Vishnu (Lakshmi)
(Parvati)
Vishnu (Lakshmi)
-is the supreme being -entity without form or quality -soul of universe -divine, invisible, unlimited
Preserver
Destroyer
Creator

8. GANESHA Son of Shiva and Parvati
Human body and an elephant’s head with only one short tusk
Worshipped as the remover of all obstacles
Milk Miracle – Sept. 25, 1995

9. Ten Avatars
Vishnu has many AVATARS (incarnations)who appear on earth as humans or animals to conquer evil and establish righteousness 7th- Rama
8th- Krishna
9th- Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha)

10. Beliefs and Goals
The ultimate aim of all Hindu thoughts is to attain the universal soul or divine wisdom called Brahman
Hindu’s believe in the freedom to individually worship and guide own spiritual experience.
The goals of Hinduism consist of personal conduct and righteous living which equals to dharma
Goal to achieve moksha, (liberation) from endless cycle of rebirths called Samsara and reunite atman with Brahman

11. Key Terms MAYA= all forms of existence are temporary and illusionary
SAMSARA = endless cycle of reincarnation
KARMA = Basic belief of cause and effect (all actions have a consequence)
DHARMA =personal conduct and righteous living
MOKSHA= the liberation from samsara and the uniting of ATMAN (human soul) with Brahman (ultimate soul)

13. OM Aum (also Om, ॐ) is the most sacred syllable in Hinduism and Vedas
ॐ । असतो मा सद्गमय । तमसो मा ज्योतिर्गमय । मृत्योर्मामृतं गमय ।।
OM Asato mā sadgamaya, tamaso mā jyotirgamaya, mrityormāmritam gamaya
"OM (Lead me) from falsehood to truth, from darkness to light, from death to immortality."
Aum (also Om, ॐ) is the most sacred syllable in Hinduism and Vedas
Used in meditation and prayer as sound gives supernatural power
Represents the original sound of creation
To chant “om” will steady and elevate the mind

14. Swastika Good luck symbol representing “well being”
Usually illustrated in red
Used on wedding invitations, drawings
Used in rituals to bring good luck and protect against evil
Swastika

15. HINDU PRACTICES
4 Paths to Salvation
4 Stages of Life
4 Goals of Life
Caste System
Puja
Upanayana
Vegetarianism “holy cow”
Arranged Marriages
Diwali – Festival of Lights
Ahimsa – non-violence
Yoga – philosophy and exercise together – very spiritual

16. Mahatma Gandhi Best known Hindu in world
Fought to end discrimination against Indians in South Africa
Tolerant of all religions
Religious ideals on duty, truth, non-violence (ahimsa) and spiritual liberation (moksha)
Negotiated independence of India in 1947
Opposed social injustice of Hindu society (ie. untouchables)
Assassinated in 1948