1. HINDUISM

2. HINDUISM World’s oldest religion ”Santana Dharma” – Eternal Religion
3000 BC
Indus Valley
1000 BC – “Aryans” (nobles from Europe and Asia) migrated to India and culturally diffused with Indians
3rd largest religion
+/- 900 million followers
“All Roads lead to God”
AUM – holy sign (represents god)
Goal  recognize/reunite your soul (Atman) with god

3. SACRED BOOKS 1)VEDAS ancient scriptures
provide knowledge into the divine
provides info into early Aryan civilization
emphasizes sacrifice
can be difficult for most people to understand
2)Upanishads (“sitting down beside”)
fundamental teachings of Hinduism
introduces concepts of Karma, Samsara, Moksha, Atman, Brahman, Yogas, and Meditation
emphasizes meditation

4. SACRED BOOKS 3)MAHABARHATA longest epic poem
details a “family war” that probably happened
illustrates how “good” Hindus should live
illustrates that choosing God over individual
strengths and temptations is right decision
4)BHAGAVAD GITA (“Song of God”)
part of Mahabarhata
discussion between Arjuna (warrior) and Krishna (god) about war
Krishna (8th avatar of Vishnu) 2 reasons to fight:
1)it is your Dharma to fight
2)good must defeat evil

5. excerpt from the Chandogya Upanishad on the “presence of Brahman”
Source: Philip Novak, The World’s Wisdom: Sacred Texts of the World’s Religions. San Francisco: Harper, pp

6. SALTWATER TEST
Trying to relay idea that god is present, but not seen
Father says to his son, place this salt in a glass of water and come to me tomorrow morning.”
His son did as he was commanded and in the morning his father said to him: “Bring me the salt you put into the water last night.”
His son looked into the water, but could not find it, for it had dissolved.
His father then said, “Taste the water from this side. How is it?”

7. “It is salt.”
“Taste it from the middle. How is it?”
Taste it from that side. How is it?”
“Look for the salt and come again to me.”

8. The son did so, saying: “I cannot see the salt. I only see water.”
His father then said: “In the same way, O my son, you cannot see the Spirit, but in truth he is here. An invisible but subtle essence is the Spirit of the whole universe. That is Reality. That is Truth. THOU ART THAT.”

9. SACRED BOOKS 1)Brahmins – priests (EYES)
5) LAW OF MANU – code of behavior
created “Caste System”
“All men are created UNEQUAL”
Unless “unequals” are separated, the weak must compete against the strong and stand no chance of being successful
1)Brahmins – priests (EYES)
2)Kshatriyas – chiefs / warriors (HEAD)
3)Vaishyas – commoners / merchants (ARMS)
4)Shudras – unskilled workers (LEGS)
5)(Dalits) UNTOUCHABLES
TODAY
CASTE SYSTEM IS ILLEGAL IN HINDUISM,
BUT IS STILL PRESENT IN HINDU CULTURE

10. HINDU BELIEFS
Reincarnation – soul (Atman) is reborn based on your Karma and Dharma
Samsara – continuous rebirths until achieve Moksha
Atman – inner soul that is god
Moksha – when soul re-unites with god, no longer in cycle of reincarnation
After death, the soul goes to the next world, bearing in mind the subtle impressions of its deeds, and after reaping their harvest returns again to this world of action. Thus, he who has desires continues subject to rebirth. Yajur Veda, Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 4.4.6

11. THESE CONCEPTS DETERMINE YOUR POSITION IN YOUR NEXT LIFE
HINDU BELIEFS
A person’s personal “Karma” is also affected by ”Group Karma” – karma created by a group/country/etc…
DHARMA – your job/duty
KARMA – Reap what you sow
According as one acts, so does he become. One becomes virtuous by virtuous action, bad by bad action. Yajur Veda, Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 4.4.5
THESE CONCEPTS DETERMINE YOUR POSITION IN YOUR NEXT LIFE

12. HINDU BELIEFS Ahimsa – non-violence NO Satan
a)God cannot have a rival / there is no place God isn’t
b)”Avidya” (Ignorance) is root of evil
c)”Maya” (Illusion) leads to Avidya
Sets you back in next life – longer to reach Moksha
Ahimsa – non-violence
Pottu – 3rd Eye – spiritual awakening

13. things everyone should do
Ten Commitments
YAMAS
things no one should do
Ahimsa – no harm
Satya – no lies
Asteya – no stealing
Brahmacharya – no overindulging
Aparigraha – no greed
NIYAMAS
things everyone should do
Saucha – keep clean
Santosha – be content
Tapas – self-discipline
Svadhyaya – study wisdom of Hinduism
Ishvara Pranidhana – surrender to God

14. 4 PATHS TO MOKSHA PEOPLE ARE DIFFERENT 1)Karma Yoga – path of work
Do daily life duties (dharma) without hope of reward – dedicate acts to god
Do our best because that is the work God has put in front of us
–> FORM OF WORSHIP
2)Jnana Yoga – path of knowledge
Spiritual knowledge
Study and learn lessons of the masters

15. 4 PATHS TO MOKSHA 3)Raja Yoga – meditation
Concentrate so you can reach the “self” within you and become one with Brahman
4)Bhakti Yoga – path of love
Devoted to loving a god
If you truly love Me, you’ll love everyone
Surrender to God – “hang out with God”