1. Hinduism

2. Hinduism  World’s most ancient living religion #2  3 rd largest  Began in India, from the Aryan beliefs.  Developed over thousands of years.  A philosophy of how to live your life.  Polytheistic- Has millions of Gods that reflect the complexity of life. #3

3. Brahman  The One Supreme Being, universal soul  Atman: individual soul  A universal soul, present everywhere. #4  Other deities (Gods) represent aspects of Brahman (they come from the One Supreme Being) #4

4. Hindu Gods #5  Brahma- is the creator.  Vishnu- is the preserver or protector.  Siva- is the destroyer.  These 3 Gods create and maintain the world we live in.  Trimurti- representation of the 3 main Gods of Hinduism.

5. Who do Hindus worship? – the major gods of the Hindu Pantheon Brahma, the creator god Avatar: an incarnation of a Hindu deity in human or animal form, especially one of the incarnations of Vishnu such as Rama and Krishna

6. Avatars  an incarnation of a Hindu deity in human or animal form, especially one of the incarnations of Vishnu such as Rama and Krishna

7. Who do Hindus worship? – the major gods of the Hindu Pantheon Vishnu, the preserver god Incarnates as ten avatars (descents) including: Rama (featured in the Ramayana) Krishna (featured in the Mahabharata) (Each shown with his consort, Sita and Radha, respectively)

8. Who do Hindus worship? – the major gods of the Hindu Pantheon Shiva, god of constructive destruction (the transformer) Appears as Shiva Nataraj, lord of the dance of creation… and with his wife, Parvati, and son Ganesha (the elephant headed remover of obstacles)

9. What about the goddesses? Devi – the feminine divine Lakshmi, goddess of good fortune, consort of Vishnu

10. Gods Mono or polytheistic?

11. There are three main gods, a triumvirate, which are believed to be all part of Brahman  Brahma = the creator  Vishnu = the preserver  Shiva = the destroyer  All three are responsible for the creation, upkeep and destruction of the world.

12. Brahma = the Creator  Has four heads and it is believed the four Vedas came from these heads.  Some believe the four varnas came from a different part of Brahma’s body.  His consort (companion) is Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge.  Often holds a lotus – the symbol of creation.  Keeps track of time on a string of beads.

13. Vishnu = the Preserver  Preserver and protector of the universe.  Role is to return to earth in troubled times and restore the balance of good and evil.  Has been reincarnated nine times.  Believe he will be reincarnated one last time close to the end of the world.  Associated with light, especially the sun.  Represented with a human body, with blue skin and four arms.  Each hand holds an object he is responsible for.

14. Vishnu Continued In Vishnu’s hands:  Conch shell (produces the “om” sound, the primeval sound of creation)  Discus: symbolizes the mind  Locus flower: glorious existence and liberation  Mace: mental and physical strength

15. Shiva = the Destroyer  Role is to destroy the universe and re- create it, paving the way for beneficial change.  Destruction is not arbitrary but constructive.  Seen as the source of good and evil.

16. Shiva Continued  Has a 3 rd eye = represents wisdom and insight  Cobra necklace = power over the dangerous creatures in the world. Also presents destruction and rebirth (shedding its skin)  Vibhuti (three white lines on the face with white ash) = represent his pervading nature, superhuman power and wealth. Cover his third eye.  Trident = represents the three functions of the Hindu triumvirate.

17.  Ganesh/Ganesha Ganesh  He is the Lord of success and destroyer of evils and obstacles.  He is also worshipped as the god of education, knowledge, wisdom and wealth

18. Ganges River #6  Most sacred feature of the Indian landscape.  It’s believed that the river came down from heaven to cleans the earth from sin  It’s getting polluted, but people believe the river will take care of itself because it’s Holy.

19. Varanasi #7  Most sacred city of Hindu, located on the Ganges River.  Oldest, continuous center for Hindu life.

20. IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF HINDU BELIEFS #8  Dharma  duties and obligations, religious or social.  Rules of a caste.  Guide of conduct or proper path.  Karma-  Actions or deeds.  Your actions affect your future lives.  Your present life is a result of your past actions.  Reincarnated into a higher caste and close to moksha  Caste system- 4 classes of society, determined by birth.  Your caste is a result of karma so it is inseparable from Hinduism #12

21. “Big Idea” - Dharma  The ultimate moral balance of all things. There is a divine order to the universe and an individual's life.  The concept of dharma requires all people to do their duty, depending on their status in society. The higher the status, the higher the expectations.  Idea of duty above consequences. Promises must be kept at all price.  Dharma in all areas of life: family, social and religious.

22. “Big Idea” - Karma  Karma is the force generated by a person’s actions that determines how the person will be reborn in the next life. Every action has consequences. If you live a balanced and moral life (and not disturb the Dharma) you will be happy and move onto a higher level in your next life.  A person’s current status is a reflection of their past lives. Therefore, higher status people are entitled to more privileges because they have lived better past lives.  Ensures full accountability for every thought, action and word.

23. “Big Idea” – Caste System (Varnas)  Varnas or castes - Social custom brought by the Ayrans to India. Would become known as the caste system (jati) – officially weren’t called castes until the 16 th century by Portuguese traders  Four main castes (although each caste is also sub- divided)  Based off the belief that hierarchy is natural and social structure if part of the divine intention for natural order  Also based largely on the idea of purity as related to profession

25. Varnas (Castes)  Each Varna has specific duties and rights  Each Varna dictates professions – only certain varnas can work in certain fields. People cannot work outside of their varna.  Each Varna has its own dietary restrictions based on the level of “purity” of the food.

26.  Samsara-  reincarnation or rebirth of the soul in various forms.  Cycle of death and rebirth.  What your soul is reborn into is governed by karma.  Moksha-  ending the cycle of reincarnation, Hindu goal  The spiritual goal of all Hindu’s.  Freeing the soul from the body so that the soul can unite with Brahman.  When your atman (individual soul, essential self) achieves union with Brahman (universal soul) and the reincarnation cycle stops.  Samskaras-  rituals connected to Birth, Marriage, Death IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF HINDU BELIEFS

27. “Big Idea” – Reincarnation (Samsara)  Represents the cycle of life, death and rebirth in which a person carried his or her own karma. Each life represents an opportunity for balance.  The ultimate goal in reincarnation is to be united with Brahman (God). Hindus believe all living beings seek to achieve this goal.  Places an emphasis on individual spiritual development to better attain the release from the life and death cycle.  Created a reverence for all forms of life.

28. “Big Idea” - Moksha  Ultimate goal, state of changeless bliss.  Achieved by living a life of complete religious devotion and more integrity without any interest in worldly things.  When a person reaches Moksha, the cycle of reincarnation ends.

29. Sacred Texts  Hindu beliefs are recorded in the following sacred texts and are all part of the Vedas  Upanishad- summation of the Vedas  Introduced: karma, samsara and moksha.  Focuses on the relationship between the Brahman and atman.  Other Sacred Texts

30. Sacred Texts  Hindu beliefs are recorded in the following sacred texts and are all part of the Vedas  Ramayana-an epic poem, the hero is Rama.  A scripture that offers a hero as a model for the Hindu life.  The moral code of conduct, social duty.  Gives the model for the ideal Hindu life.  Mahabharata- the world’s longest epic poem.  Contains many basic Hindu ideas. Its most important section is the Bhagavad-Gita- (the song of the Lord.)  conversation between Krishna and Arjuna as Arjuna prepares to go into battle  Dealing with struggle without concern

31. Hindu Religious Text (s)  The Vedas  Most ancient religious text in the world  Most present form developed between 1200 – 200 BCE and introduced by the Aryans

32. Other aspects of Hindu beliefs  Puja-  daily worship, offerings to the Gods.  Guru-  a spiritual leader.  Mandir-  a Hindu temple.  All life is sacred-  The cow is considered sacred- it is the most giving of all animals. Hindu’s are vegetarians – and do not eat meat. #9  Ragas-  sacred music to focus spiritual devotion.  Aum:  most sacred word in Hinduism, symbol on temple, used in meditation

33. Temple Worship  Temples provide an atmosphere conducive for spiritual progress  Centers of social and cultural activities  Provide a place for collective worship and prayers

34. “Big Idea” - Yoga  Yoga means “union”  Important part of Hindu’s daily life as they strive for their union with Brahman  Goal is to leave behind earthy life and join Brahman in your mind

35. DIFFERENCES BETWEEN ISLAM AND HINDUISM #10  Hinduism- Polytheistic, worship many gods, caste system, born into the religion- no idea of conversion, diet, and the cow is sacred, no founder  Islam- Monotheistic, worship one God, all people are seen as equal under the eyes of God, dietary restrictions proselytizers-seek to convert others.

36. SIKHISM #11  is a religion that is a combination of Islam and Hinduism.  Monotheistic- One god, but all else more like Hinduism.  This new religion emerged and is an example of cultural blending under the Mughals/Muslims.

37. Sikh  Started in 15 century, Punjab, India  Three Requirements  Meditate on the holy name  Work diligently and honestly  Share your fruits