1. HINDUISM The truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth! The truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth!

2. Founder If Jesus founded Christianity, then who founded Hinduism? If Jesus founded Christianity, then who founded Hinduism? The truth is that there is no single founder. It is believed to have originated 3,500 years ago when the Aryans invaded India from Central Asia.

3. The Vedas and Epics

4. What are they? Oldest scriptures in the world Oldest scriptures in the world Teach about unending conflict Teach about unending conflict 128 hymns, 15 times longer than the Bible 128 hymns, 15 times longer than the Bible Tells stories of: Tells stories of: –Aryan warrior aristocracy and Indus Valley tradition –Ramayana and Mahabharata – mythological stories of the human condition

5. Ramayana

6. The Law of Karma “What goes around comes around.” “What goes around comes around.” Your future depends on what actions you take today. Your future depends on what actions you take today. Laws of cause and effect Laws of cause and effect All gods and people are subject to karma All gods and people are subject to karma

7. Reincarnation Human spirits are born again and again until they reach their spiritual goal Human spirits are born again and again until they reach their spiritual goal Sometimes, you are not born a human again… why? Sometimes, you are not born a human again… why?

8. Stages of Life A shrama – learning and education A shrama – learning and education A rtha – pursue wealth and power A rtha – pursue wealth and power K ama – pleasure K ama – pleasure … the big one… … the big one… M oksha – liberation from reincarnation (samsara) M oksha – liberation from reincarnation (samsara)

9. Moksha After all reincarnation is done, the soul is united with the Brahma After all reincarnation is done, the soul is united with the Brahma

10. How many gods? 330 million gods (Devas) 330 million gods (Devas) Both polytheistic and monotheistic Both polytheistic and monotheistic Worship in temples Worship in temples Sabbath isn’t a particular day – every day Sabbath isn’t a particular day – every day

11. Cycle of Life Brahma - (Creator) is everything (God is everything) Brahma - (Creator) is everything (God is everything) Vishnu - (Preserver) Vishnu - (Preserver) Shiva – (Destroyer) Shiva – (Destroyer) “Hindu Triad” “Hindu Triad” Initially rivals that reconciled Initially rivals that reconciled

12. Hindu Triad

13. About the gods Each god: Each god: – has a consort (shakti) that balances male and female –Has a creature to ride on (vahana) –Ganesha – most worshipped god – remover of obstacles

14. The Sacred Cow Killing a cow is equivalent to murdering a person Killing a cow is equivalent to murdering a person Cow is useful: Cow is useful: –Mostly economics – work, garbage disposal, dairy, fertilizer

15. By the way… Sacrifice to gods became less important Sacrifice to gods became less important May transfer belief in one god to another May transfer belief in one god to another Mantra – word or phrase repeated during meditation Mantra – word or phrase repeated during meditation