1. Global History I: Adamiak
Hinduism
Global History I: Adamiak

2. Origins
Developed over thousands of years combining the beliefs of the Aryans & Indus peoples
NO single founder
The word Hindu is derived from the river Sindhu or Indus

3. The Universal Spirit
Hindus believe in one unifying spirit called Brahman
Brahman is too complex for humans to understand
Hindus worship many gods to give a more concrete form to Brahman

4. The Three Main Hindu Gods
Brahman The creator
Vishnu The preserver
Shiva The destroyer

5. Ātman Ātman our innermost and true selves
It is unchanging (unlike our bodies and minds)
We lose sight and awareness of our ātman in our search for material things and “true happiness.”
We cannot find true happiness this universe
We must achieve moksha

6. Moksha The main goal of life is to achieve union with Brahman (moksha)
Moksha can only occur when you free yourself from all your selfish desires
Most people cannot achieve moksha in one lifetime

7. Reincarnation Reincarnation  the soul is reborn in a new body
Each new lifetime allows you to get closer to moksha
Hindus get closer to this union by being born into higher levels of existence

8. Karma & Dharma
Karma  the deeds & actions (both good & bad) of a person’s life that affects his/her existence in the next life
Dharma  The moral & religious duties that are expected by of an individual
A persons gender, class/caste, age, & occupation can affect his/her dharma

9. The Caste System Caste/Varnas
Social groups into which people are born in & out of
You cannot move into a different caste during your life time

10. The Caste System

11. Other Facts The Ganges River is sacred Sacred Texts
Bathing in it can purify, cleanse, and cure the sick
Upon death many Hindus are cremated & have some of their ashes spread in the Ganges
Sacred Texts
Bhagavad-Gita  most important text; it is a dialogue between a prince and the Vishnu in disguise.
Vedas Book of hymns, prayers, and philosophies

12. Other Facts Reverence towards the cow (“The Sacred Cow”)
Seen as a symbol of life and nourishment
Cow Dung
Used for energy, tilaks (religious markings), & fertilizer

13. Other Facts
The Bindi
Forehead decoration that symbolizes the relationship status of a Hindu women
Red = Married
Black = Single
Black can also ward off evil spirits

14. The Prophecy
The Prophecy: At Siddhartha’s birth it was predicted that he had the signs of a great man. If Siddhartha stayed at home, he was destined to become a world ruler. If he left home, he was destined to become a universal spiritual leader (a Buddha).
Siddhartha’s father isolated him in his palace
This made Siddhartha curious about the outside world
At age 29, Siddhartha left the palace walls 4 times with a guide as per his father’s request
Siddhartha realized that every person experiences:
Old age  Sickness  Death

15. The Englightenment The Enlightenment
Siddhartha decided to search for religious truth & an end to suffering
The search lasted 6 years
In his sixth year, after 49 days of meditation Siddhartha came to a realization about suffering…

16. Beliefs The Four Noble Truths All life is suffering
Suffering is caused by desire for things that bring temporary pleasures
The way to eliminate suffering is to eliminate desire
The way to eliminate suffering is to follow the Eightfold Path

17. Beliefs Eightfold Path Right Occupation Right Effort
Right Understanding
Right Belief/Intention
Right Speech
Right Behavior/Conduct
Right Occupation
Right Effort
Right Contemplation
Right Meditation

18. Beliefs
Nirvana
A state of enlightenment in which one has freed himself from selfishness and desire
Releasing from the cycle of death and rebirth
Similar to what concept in Hinduism?

19. Mahayana
The “Greater Vehicle”
Worship Buddha as a deity
Have many religious rituals
Venerate saints known as Bodhisattvas
Nirvana is achieved with others and could be given up for
Salvation through good works
Theravada
The “Lesser Vehicle”
Believe Buddhism is for monks; for individuals it’s a philosophy
View Buddha as a teacher
Avoid rituals
Achieving nirvana is individualistic through meditation

20. Difference between Buddhism
Denies existence of atman
Does not believe there is a caste system
Despite Mayhana beliefs, no deities in Buddhism
Buddha refused followers to worship him as a god