1. The Origins of Hinduism
The Hindu Gods And Goddesses
Hinduism Basic Beliefs

2. The Hindu Gods And Goddesses
Considered the oldest religion and one of the three largest religions
Hinduism is a combination of Aryan and Indus Valley region beliefs
Hinduism has evolved over 3,500 years
Hinduism is polytheistic and worships both gods and goddesses

3. The Hindu Gods And Goddesses
Over 108 Hindu Gods
They can take the shape of humans and animals
Most powerful of Hindu gods are:
Brahma, the creator
Vishnu, the preserver
Shiva, the destroyer

4. The Hindu Gods And Goddesses
Brahma is believed to have been born of a golden egg
He created earth and everything on it
Vishnu protects and guides humans on earth
Sometimes he visits earth to help people through providing advice and guidance

5. The Hindu Gods And Goddesses
Shiva, is the creator and destroyer of life and earth
He is the most powerful and important of Hindu gods
Not concerned with human matters or concerns
He is married to Shakti who intervenes in human matters

6. Hinduism Basic Beliefs
All teachings of Hinduism are recorded in texts
Texts are written in sanskirt, a language specifically used for religious purposes
“Upanishads”, is a text in Sanskrit that has a dialogue between a students and teachers of Hinduism
Upanishads address the belief of reincarnation

7. Hinduism Basic Beliefs
Reincarnation (Samsara) is the belief that if you die your soul goes into another body
If you were a good person then you will be reborn in a higher class than you occupied
But if you were a bad person you may come back as a poor person or an animal
The lower your social rank the harder you tried to guarantee your position in life

8. Hinduism Basic Beliefs
If you were a pure person then your spirit goes to be with Brahman
All Hindu’s must obey their “dharma”
Dharma was a person’s religious duties
A person’s dharma was based on their age, class and occupation

9. Hinduism Basic Beliefs
If you obeyed your dharma you moved closer to Brahman
You also had to believe in being nonviolent or “ahimsa”
Hindus also do not eat meat because they won’t harm animals
Karma is the sum of all a person has done and will do

10. Hinduism Basic Beliefs
Hindus can worship at a temple or at home
Typically it is personal and involves a shrine at home were prayers and offerings are made (fruit, flowers, water or incense)
Families pray together three times a day
Pilgrimages are important to Hindus and they are made to where their god has appeared or originated