1. Hinduism Polytheism in a society of a Billion people
Creating Unity in Diversity

2. Time and Place of Origin
Hinduism
Time and Place of Origin
Oldest Religion in the world Started in the Indus Valley around 5000 years ago
Fused with ideas from the Aryans to create what Hinduism is known as today

3. Hinduism
Religious Buildings
Temples

5. Hinduism
Symbols
Lotus The Ohm Swastika

6. Hinduism Religious Leaders Brahmin – The Priests Hinduism today
Were the top caste of Hindu society when the caste system was in affect
Kept power by being the only ones able to perform religious rituals
Hinduism today
Guru – more like a monk than a priest

7. Ancient poems, songs and instructions on how to perform rituals
Hinduism
Religious Texts
Vedas
Ancient poems, songs and instructions on how to perform rituals

9. Hinduism Beliefs -Samsara-
Everything is connected and in a continuous cycle
The world itself has been created and destroyed many times
-Moksha-
The way to escape samsara and get out of the pain and hardships of earthly life

10. Reincarnation

11. Hinduism Beliefs -Reincarnation-
When you die you are reborn as something new.
Depending on your karma you will return as something better or worse
-Karma-
The sum of all your good and bad deeds that you do in your life.

12. Hinduism Beliefs Gods and Avatars
Millions of gods which are all avatars of three main gods
In all the stories of gods and goddesses they are incarnations of the main gods
Rama, Matsya and Krishna are all avatars of Vishnu

13. Hinduism Beliefs Three main gods represent the cycle of the Earth
Brahma – the Creator
Recreates the earth after Shiva destroys it
The most powerful god and often seen as the one true god that all gods come from
Vishnu – the Protector
Comes to earth to protect it from evil
Stories depict him as the ultimate person when on Earth (Rama, Krishna)
Shiva – the Destroyer
Destroys the earth when it becomes corrupted
Also destroys evil of all kinds like temptation and bad thoughts of others

14. Hinduism Morals and Values Emulating Characters through Polytheism
Rama
Embodies loyalty, and is the ultimate son, husband and father
Emulating Characters through Polytheism
Each god or goddess embodies specific moral characteristics
Individuals get to choose which gods or goddess they follow
In a society of over a billion people there are millions of gods to choose from all unique
Krishna
Embodies tolerance, love and purity
Ganesh
Embodies power and incorruptibility as well as wealth

16. Hinduism Morals and Values Four stages of Life
Brahmacharga – Childhood
You are to study and learn
Grastha – Early Adulthood
Find Love and start a family
Vanaprastha – Late Adulthood
When your children start a family
Devote yourself to religion
Sanngas – Senior age
Give away all of your earthly possessions to those in need before you die

17. Hinduism
Practices
Daily and Weekly
Bindi
Meditation

19. Hinduism Traditions -Yearly- -Right of Passage-
Holi – Marks the beginning of Spring
-People throw paint on each other in a day of fun
-Strengths the value of Family and Community
-Right of Passage-
Bathing in the Ganges
Millions of people come each
year to bath in the sacred river
All kinds of different people
bath together strengthening the
bonds within the community