1. Introduction to HINDUISM

2. The Meaning, Definition and Origin of the word “HINDU” It is amusing when westerners mispronounces our simple names. The word HINDU is not a Sanskrit word. Interestingly the word HINDU came into existence because Persians mispronounced a Sanskrit word. (3000-4000 years)

3. Persians + Europeans and HINDU Persians referred Indus River as SINDHU. The letter “S” was mispronounced to “H” Hence SINDHU became HINDU. Originally HINDU was referred to the people living near river Indus but not the religion. Further Europeans used HINDU for vast majority of non – Muslim population of India.

4. Who are Hindus any person of IndAbrahamic ian origin who neither practiced religions nor non-Vedic Indian religions, such as Jainism, Sikhism or BuddhismIndAbrahamic ian originreligionsJainismSikhismBuddhism

5. Hinduism = Sanātana DharmaSanātana Dharma Meaning ETERNAL LAW

6. What does HINDU Belief in? GOD is the only method for MUKTI VEDA : Mother of all sastras Rig, Sama, Yajur and Atharva DO Buddhists and Jains belief in this?

7. Are Buddhist and Jain considered as HINDUS NO!

8. Why? Tirthankar of Jains and Buddha have taught that to achieve MOKSHA, one did not have to accept the authority of the Vedas or the caste system. Buddha went a step further and claimed that the existence of a Self/soul or God was unnecessary Hence they are not considered as HINDUS nor do they.

9. More on HINDUISM now! How old is Hinduism? Undoubtedly the oldest of all living religions. Westerners don belief this Cos they think history began in Greece. However its very difficult to measure the antiquity of HINDUISM.

10. Evidence RAMA Bridge or Ram Setu 17.7 million years

11. Sanjivani Mountains and Sugriva cave

12. The 4 main Division of Hinduism Vaishnavism … Vishnu as Supreme GOD Shaivism … Shiva as the Supreme Shaktism … Mataji or Shakti Smartism … Panchdeva Shiv Vishnu Devi Surya Ganesha

13. Varnas BrahminsBrahmins: teachers and priests; KshatriyasKshatriyas: warriors, nobles, and kings; the Vaishyas: farmers, merchants, and businessmen; andVaishyas the Shudras: servants and labourersShudras

14. The Ashram System Brahmacharya student life 5-24 Grihasthahousehold life25-49 Vanaprastha retired life 50-74 Sannyasarenounced life 75-100

15. Conclusion Are you proud to be a HINDU. yes you should be! If anyone is interested in research contact your group manager. Research topics –Of your choice –Hinduism –Swaminarayan sastras and many more