1. Hinduism: A Way of Life

2. Hinduism Basics World’s oldest organized religion. World’s oldest organized religion. 1 billion followers. 1 billion followers. Does NOT have a specific founder, beginnings lie in the tradition of the Vedas. Does NOT have a specific founder, beginnings lie in the tradition of the Vedas. It appears polytheistic, but it is not…. It appears polytheistic, but it is not…. Gods are merely different forms of the supreme god Brahman. Gods are merely different forms of the supreme god Brahman. Hinduism is complex, sometimes contradictory, and reveals the nature of life. Hinduism is complex, sometimes contradictory, and reveals the nature of life.

3. Sacred Texts The Vedas ~ Contain eternal truths that were revealed to wise men during the Vedic Age. The Vedas ~ Contain eternal truths that were revealed to wise men during the Vedic Age. The Upanishads ~ Help to explain the ideas in the Vedas. The Upanishads ~ Help to explain the ideas in the Vedas. Ramayana Ramayana Mahabharata Mahabharata Epics used to explain moral laws of Hinduism as well as law codes.

4. Brahman The nameless, formless and unlimited basic divine essence that fills the world. The nameless, formless and unlimited basic divine essence that fills the world. All other Hindu gods and goddesses are forms of this one supreme god. All other Hindu gods and goddesses are forms of this one supreme god. Only a few people can truly understand Brahman. Only a few people can truly understand Brahman.

5. Overview of Hindu Gods/Goddesses There are thousands of Hindu gods/goddesses. There are thousands of Hindu gods/goddesses. We will focus on: We will focus on: 1. Brahma 2. Vishnu 3. Siva/Shiva 4. Ganesh 5. Hanuman The Hindu Trinity

6. Brahma The “Creator” God The “Creator” God Creates the cycle of light and dark throughout the day. Creates the cycle of light and dark throughout the day. Create the world and the human race by creating a goddess out of himself. Create the world and the human race by creating a goddess out of himself. Usually shown with four heads, (and sometimes) 4 faces and arms. Usually shown with four heads, (and sometimes) 4 faces and arms. Usually holds the 4 Vedas. Usually holds the 4 Vedas.

7. Vishnu Preserver and protector of creation. Preserver and protector of creation. Preserves the universe and maintains cosmic order. Embodiment of mercy and goodness. Embodiment of mercy and goodness. Vishnu is seen in many different manifestations Vishnu is seen in many different manifestations Forms of the same god

8. Siva (Shiva) The destroyer of the world. The destroyer of the world. The god of change, which can be good. The god of change, which can be good. Getting rid of bad habits. Getting rid of bad habits. Often represented in dance to represent the creation and destruction of universe Often represented in dance to represent the creation and destruction of universe Cycle of birth, death and re-birth Cycle of birth, death and re-birth Crushes the demon of ignorance. Final destruction of creation. Goddess Ganga is trapped In Shiva’s hair to prevent The Ganges River from Flooding the world.

9. Ganesh (Ganesha) Human form with the head of an Indian elephant Human form with the head of an Indian elephant Symbolizes perfection Symbolizes perfection Large head symbolizes wisdom and understanding. Large head symbolizes wisdom and understanding. Trunk = Strength Trunk = Strength Right Tusk = Wisdom Right Tusk = Wisdom Broken Left Tusk = Emotion Broken Left Tusk = Emotion Conquer emotion with wisdom to attain perfection. Conquer emotion with wisdom to attain perfection.

10. Atman The essence of an individual person The essence of an individual person Similar to the concept of a “soul.” Similar to the concept of a “soul.” Each person’s atman (soul) is part of a larger, universal soul. Each person’s atman (soul) is part of a larger, universal soul. All humans are part of the same soul. All humans are part of the same soul. Because of this, atman and brahman are one and cannot be divided. Because of this, atman and brahman are one and cannot be divided.

11. What is this a picture of?

12. Maya The world known to our senses is an illusion. The world known to our senses is an illusion. Our senses will deceive us Our senses will deceive us Will bring us sorrow and pain. Will bring us sorrow and pain. We can be delivered from suffering if we can identify maya. (The illusions.) We can be delivered from suffering if we can identify maya. (The illusions.) Unfortunately this can take lifetimes. Unfortunately this can take lifetimes. People suffer from pain and sorrow because they pursue false goals, material riches and personal pleasure. People suffer from pain and sorrow because they pursue false goals, material riches and personal pleasure.

13. Role of Animals in Hinduism Cows are seen as sacred Cows are seen as sacred They provide the power for the plow, food, fuel and fertilizer. They provide the power for the plow, food, fuel and fertilizer. 50% of Hindus are vegetarian. 50% of Hindus are vegetarian. Not a requirement for Hinduism Not a requirement for Hinduism Recommended as a “purifying lifestyle.” Recommended as a “purifying lifestyle.”

14. Role of Animals in Hinduism Other animals play a key role in Hinduism. Other animals play a key role in Hinduism. Elephant, Monkeys, Turtles, Tigers, Snakes, Crocodiles, Rats, etc Elephant, Monkeys, Turtles, Tigers, Snakes, Crocodiles, Rats, etc Hindus have a strong belief in the sacredness of all forms of life Hindus have a strong belief in the sacredness of all forms of life Many of their deities take the form of animals. Many of their deities take the form of animals.

15. Sacredness of all life...

16. Reincarnation Official name is “Samsara” Official name is “Samsara” Cycle of birth, death and re-birth. Cycle of birth, death and re-birth. Refers to the rebirth of the soul, or when the soul enters the body of another being Refers to the rebirth of the soul, or when the soul enters the body of another being Either human or animal Either human or animal This stresses the importance of respecting all life forms. This stresses the importance of respecting all life forms. The GOAL is to reach MOKSHA The GOAL is to reach MOKSHA Free the soul from the cycle of reincarnation & the soul can unite with Brahman. Free the soul from the cycle of reincarnation & the soul can unite with Brahman.

17. Dharma The fulfillment of one’s moral DUTY in this life so that the soul can make progress toward Moksha in the next life. The fulfillment of one’s moral DUTY in this life so that the soul can make progress toward Moksha in the next life. DUTIES & OBLIGATIONS refer to: DUTIES & OBLIGATIONS refer to: Obedience to caste rules and moral laws. Obedience to caste rules and moral laws. Offer hope of a better life in the future. Offer hope of a better life in the future. Encourage Hindus to behave morally. Encourage Hindus to behave morally.

18. Karma Comes from the Sanskrit word for “To do” Comes from the Sanskrit word for “To do” It is the positive or negative force generated by a person’s actions that will determine his/her status in the next life. It is the positive or negative force generated by a person’s actions that will determine his/her status in the next life. Good deeds bring you happiness; evil deeds will bring you sorrow. Good deeds bring you happiness; evil deeds will bring you sorrow. A person’s present situation is a result of deeds or misdeeds done in a past existence. A person’s present situation is a result of deeds or misdeeds done in a past existence.

19. How does KARMA work? People who fulfill their dharma are rewarded with good karma and are reborn into a higher social group. People who fulfill their dharma are rewarded with good karma and are reborn into a higher social group. If you don’t live a moral life, you will be reborn into a lower social group, or potentially animals or insects. If you don’t live a moral life, you will be reborn into a lower social group, or potentially animals or insects. Do we see any examples of this in U.S. society? Do we see any examples of this in U.S. society?

20. The Goals of a Good Hindu: 1. Fulfill your DHARMA. 2. Be rewarded with good KARMA. 3. End cycle of SAMSARA (Reincarnation). 4. Attain salvation (Be saved by Brahman). 5. Enable your soul to reunite with the universal spirit, Brahman. This would be MOKSHA.

21. Why is the Ganges sacred? Ganges is believed to be “life-giving” water. Ganges is believed to be “life-giving” water. Bathing in its water washes away sin. Bathing in its water washes away sin. To die along the banks assures eternal peace to the soul. To die along the banks assures eternal peace to the soul.

22. Funeral Rituals For married persons, cremation is the norm. For married persons, cremation is the norm. Usually cremated on the bank of a river and the ashes are deposited in the river. Usually cremated on the bank of a river and the ashes are deposited in the river. Family members remain in the home for 10 days (the length of time it takes for the soul of the deceased to acquire a new body). Family members remain in the home for 10 days (the length of time it takes for the soul of the deceased to acquire a new body).

23. Hindu Temples The interior is highly decorated and colorful. The interior is highly decorated and colorful. Idols to the Hindu gods are prominently displayed. Idols to the Hindu gods are prominently displayed. This is a house of worship, prayer and meditation. This is a house of worship, prayer and meditation.

24. Hinduism and the Swastika Holy symbol that represents the creator god, Brahma. Holy symbol that represents the creator god, Brahma. It points in all 4 cardinal directions: N,S,E,W It points in all 4 cardinal directions: N,S,E,W Represents stability and groundedness Used as a decoration for religious purposes. Used as a decoration for religious purposes.

25. Hinduism and the Swastika Used to decorate temples, signs, and altars. Used to decorate temples, signs, and altars. The use by Nazi went against the original intent. The use by Nazi went against the original intent. Ancient Hindus used it for almost 5,000 years before Nazism even existed. Ancient Hindus used it for almost 5,000 years before Nazism even existed.

26. The Bindi The bindi is a colored dot The bindi is a colored dot It symbolizes the “Third Eye” It symbolizes the “Third Eye” Focuses inward toward God. Generally worn by women Generally worn by women Black representing that you are single and Red that you are married. Nowadays, any color is accepted and is sometimes simply matched to clothing to be fashionable. Nowadays, any color is accepted and is sometimes simply matched to clothing to be fashionable.

27. YOGA! Physical and mental discipline to harmonize the body and the soul. Physical and mental discipline to harmonize the body and the soul. Goal is to shut out the illusionary world of maya and free the mind of bodily concerns. Goal is to shut out the illusionary world of maya and free the mind of bodily concerns.