1. Hinduism I dont want to claim any religion is superior or inferior specially in comparison to Hinduism. I dont want to claim any religion is superior or inferior specially in comparison to Hinduism. I dont want to hurt anyones feelings or beliefs intentionally during my talk. However, if any of the contents of my talk is contrary to your beliefs or practices; please accept my apologies beforehand. I dont want to hurt anyones feelings or beliefs intentionally during my talk. However, if any of the contents of my talk is contrary to your beliefs or practices; please accept my apologies beforehand. Dr T Reddy

2. Origins Date ??? 2500 -5000 BC Date ??? 2500 -5000 BC Founder ????? Founder ????? Scriptures Scriptures Vedas Vedas Upanishads and Upanishads and Puranas (Ramayan, Mahabharat - Gita) Puranas (Ramayan, Mahabharat - Gita)

3. Hinduism Outside – Chaotic / disorganised Outside – Chaotic / disorganised Inside – runs smoothly and efficiently Inside – runs smoothly and efficiently Way of life Way of life Difficult to put in Black & White Difficult to put in Black & White

4. Hinduism

5. Gods and Goddesses Hinduism allows greater freedom to understand and express God in their own way. Hinduism allows greater freedom to understand and express God in their own way. Hindus can pray to God in any form that they find particularly helpful. Hindus can pray to God in any form that they find particularly helpful.

6. One God Vs Many Gods Brahman – the impersonal omnipotent, omnipresent and the source of all existence, incomprehensible (One God) Brahman – the impersonal omnipotent, omnipresent and the source of all existence, incomprehensible (One God) Gods and Goddesses are seen as symbols for describing Brahman (Many Gods) Gods and Goddesses are seen as symbols for describing Brahman (Many Gods) Common man to understand and easy to worship Common man to understand and easy to worship

7. TRINITY Brahma – Creator Brahma – Creator Vishnu – Preserver Vishnu – Preserver Shiva – Destroyer Shiva – Destroyer Cycle – no real end or beginning. Cycle – no real end or beginning. The beginning is an end and the end is a new beginning The beginning is an end and the end is a new beginning

8. Special Features Families Families Male & Female Male & Female Transport Transport Stories for common man to believe and worship Stories for common man to believe and worship Imagination (Scientific basis) Imagination (Scientific basis)

9. Goddess of Power (Shakti) - Durga

10. Lord Ganesha (Obstacle Remover)

11. Ramayan - Hanuman

12. God - Omnipresent Vedic Gods (Forces of Nature) Vedic Gods (Forces of Nature) Rain God (Indra or Varun) Rain God (Indra or Varun) Wind God Wind God Fire (Agni) Fire (Agni) Sun Sun Worship all living things Worship all living things God is depicted in animal form God is depicted in animal form

13. Way of Life (Hinduism) Freedom Vs Conditioning – Thinking / Expression Freedom Vs Conditioning – Thinking / Expression Descriptive Vs Prescriptive Descriptive Vs Prescriptive Democratic Vs Dictatorial Democratic Vs Dictatorial Non-Contractual (Open-Ended) Vs Contractual (Covenant) Non-Contractual (Open-Ended) Vs Contractual (Covenant) Tolerance (Equality / Secular) Vs Intolerance Tolerance (Equality / Secular) Vs Intolerance

14. Hinduism No Conversion (Conflict / Terror / Persecution / War / Invasion) No Conversion (Conflict / Terror / Persecution / War / Invasion) Non-violence (Peace) Vs Violence Non-violence (Peace) Vs Violence Loka Samastha Sukino Bhavanthu Loka Samastha Sukino Bhavanthu Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti Unity in Diversity Unity in Diversity

15. How to reach God (Moksha)? Eternal Truth (Sanathan Dharma) Eternal Truth (Sanathan Dharma) Oh Lord, Oh Lord, lead us from untruth to truth, lead us from untruth to truth, From darkness to light, From darkness to light, from mortality to immortality from mortality to immortality (Brihadanayaka Upanishad) (Brihadanayaka Upanishad) Reincarnation (Birth – Death- Re-birth) Reincarnation (Birth – Death- Re-birth) Ways of reaching God :– Many different Ways (Solo or Combination = 100%) Ways of reaching God :– Many different Ways (Solo or Combination = 100%) Karma (good works) Karma (good works) Bhakti (Prayer) Bhakti (Prayer) Ghyana (Knowledge /Spiritual) Ghyana (Knowledge /Spiritual)

16. Hinduism Ordinary citizen of India – village life – born into a Hindu family, grows in secular / diverse culture, understand, accept and respect (tolerance) others beliefs & festivals, feel part of community (Unity in Diversity) Ordinary citizen of India – village life – born into a Hindu family, grows in secular / diverse culture, understand, accept and respect (tolerance) others beliefs & festivals, feel part of community (Unity in Diversity)

17. Hinduness (Black hole phenomenon) The average Hindu you meet in a million villages possesses simple, innate spirituality and accepts your diversity, whether you are Christian or Muslim, Jain or Arab, French or Chinese. It is this Hinduness that makes the Indian Christian different from, say, a French Christian, or the Indian Muslim unlike a Saudi Muslim. ( Francois Gautier-Editor-in-chief of the Paris-based La Revue de l'Inde) The average Hindu you meet in a million villages possesses simple, innate spirituality and accepts your diversity, whether you are Christian or Muslim, Jain or Arab, French or Chinese. It is this Hinduness that makes the Indian Christian different from, say, a French Christian, or the Indian Muslim unlike a Saudi Muslim. ( Francois Gautier-Editor-in-chief of the Paris-based La Revue de l'Inde)

18. Hinduism (Prayer) Gayathri Mantra OM Bhur-Bhuvah-Svah. Tat savitur varenyam bhargo devasva dhimahi. Dhiyo yo nah pracodayat. (Click sound icon to listen to Gayathri Mantra) Gayathri Mantra) What it means? What it means? We meditate on the glory of the Creator; Who has created the Universe; Who is worthy of worship; Who is the embodiment of Knowledge and Light; Who is the remover of all Sin and Ignorance; May He enlighten our Intellect.