1. Hindu Beliefs

2. Hinduism is often described as a non- dogmatic religion. People are free to worship any set of doctrines or rules they like. It does not believe in conversion, and does not impose its beliefs on others.

3. Hindu Beliefs However, Hindus are expected to follow specific rules in their personal conduct and daily duties. There is a vast body of rules and rituals for almost every station and stage of a Hindu’s life.

4. Hindu Concept of God Some describe Hinduism as polytheistic, others as monotheistic. Most state it is monistic – which means that all reality is ultimately one. Hinduism reconciles these three different concepts of God, which makes it tolerant of various beliefs.

5. What Is Brahman? Brahman is: –The supreme being, an entity without form and quality. –The soul of the universe, from which all existing things arise, and into which they all return. –Everywhere and everything. The essence of Brahman is divine, invisible, unlimited, and indescribable.

6. Brahman Hindus are free to imagine Brahman in any way that is meaningful to them. They worship different deities that they consider manifestations, or expressions, of Brahman. Page 121 (text) has a description of Brahman from the Upanishads.

7. Atman The Atman is the human soul or spirit. It is the part of our innermost self that is identical to Brahman. A Hindu’s goal is to reunite the Atman with the Brahman. Atman = Brahman Brahman = Atman

8. “Tat Twan Asi” The famous Sanskrit saying means “you are that”, expresses the idea that the Atman and Brahman are inseparable.

9. Reincarnation The Atman is: –Eternal and immortal. –Lives on, shedding the lifeless body for a new one. For Hindus, most aspects of the personality are generally not thought to be transmitted into the next life form. Individuals usually cannot remember past lives.

10. Samsara The endless cycle of rebirth or reincarnation is called samsara. The Hindu term for salvation, for liberation from samsara, is moksha.

11. Moksha This is the liberation from the endless cycle of birth, death, and rebirth into this world. With moksha, the atman is united with the Brahman.