Hinduism

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The Basics

• Worlds oldest religion
• Dominant religion in India
• Origins
• Began in 3000 BCE
• Roots are in Vedic religion
• Vedic teachings blended with religious beliefs
  and practices of early Indian villagers

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Hindu God(s)

• No central figure such as
• Jesus Christianity
• Buddha Buddhism
• Belief that a god can appear on earth in various
  forms called incarnations. They are usually
  animals.
• Brahma
• Is the god first represented in the Hindu Triad.
  He is the creator of the universe and all living
  beings are said to have evolved from him
• Has no form
• Is eternal
• Is creator of everything
• Appears in human spirit as Atman or the soul

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More about the Gods

• Hindus believe that Brahman (the one God) has
  three functions and these are shown by the three
  gods, Shiva, Brahma and Vishnu.
• These three are sometimes shown as three heads
  merging into one and are known as the Trimurti.
• Brahma is the Creator and source of all creation.
• Vishnu is the Preserver and responsible for
  keeping all good things on earth.
• Shiva is the Destroyer and is needed because some
  things are harmful and because change is
  necessary for the creation of new things.
• The sacred sound aum is believed to be the first
  sound at the start of creation.

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Brahma
Vishnu
Shiva
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Scripture The Vedas

• The Vedas is the book of scripture used by the
  Hindus.
• Can be compared to the Bible in Christianity

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Hinduism Worship

• The purpose of worship is getting closer to God.
• No rules about when or how to pray
• There are only some guidelines. A lot of Hindus
  find the best times to worship are at dawn (when
  the sun is just coming up) and at dusk (when the
  sun is just setting). These are times when
  everything seems so peaceful.

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Hindu Worship

• Worship is called Puja
•  Shrine is the place in the home where God is
  worshipped.
• The Deity is the form of God being worshipped. A
  picture or statue of the deity is placed on a
  raised and decorated platform.
•  A lamp is lit to show that we want to go from
  darkness to light.  It shows that we want to find
  God.
•  Water may be sprinkled around the shrine for
  purity.
•  Flowers may be offered to show that we are
  offering our heart to God.
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• Fruit and food may be offered to God to offer
  thanks. At the end of the worship, the food
  becomes holy.  This food is then called Prashad.
  It is shared and eaten by worshippers. 
• Incense may be burnt. The sweet scent goes
  everywhere to remind us that God is everywhere. 
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• Bell may be rung to awaken the deity. The sound
  of the bell can be used blocks out other sounds
  disturbing the puja. 
• Tilak is a mark made on the forehead when doing
  the worship ceremony. Hindus concentrate on this
  spot when they meditate. This mark is made using
  red powder. 
• Prayers and Sacred Scriptures may be read or
  sung during the Puja ceremony 
• Arti is the welcoming ceremony of God. Lamps are
  waved gently in front of the image and holy songs
  are sung.

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Temple Worship

• Worship in the temple Hindus say that temples
  are the homes of God on earth. There are no hard
  and fast rules about when to go to the temple.
  Hindus go to the temple to get darshan of God.
  This means they wish to catch sight of God. They
  may take flowers and fruits, or other items to
  offer to God. When they arrive at the temple,
  they remove their shoes before entering the
  temple as a mark of respect.
•  At the entrance to the temple people ring a bell
  to announce their presence to God. The main deity
  of the temple is placed in the inner shrine. The
  outer walls of the temples may have smaller
  shrines housing other deities. The worship
  ceremony is similar to the worship at home. The
  congregation sings glories of God. These songs
  are called bhajans.  The priest performs the arti
  ceremony by gently waving a tray with oil-lamps
  in front of the deity. The arti-tray is then
  passed around, people cup their hands over the
  lamps to receive blessings. Some people go around
  the deity in the inner shrine to pay their
  respects. Prashad, the food and fruit that was
  offered to God is offered to everyone to eat.

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Hinduism and Yoga

• Most people think that Yoga means doing physical
  exercises. The word yoga means to join together
  with God. Physical exercises help us to stay
  healthy, but it is not the real yoga.
• The real yoga is called Raja yoga and is the way
  to find God by meditation. It is very difficult.
  Real meditation comes when people become even
  more awake than they are now. How can this be
  possible? Hindus say that when we are successful
  in making their mind very quiet, they become even
  more awake. In meditation people can experience
  God.

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Caste System

• Castes are determined before birth and cannot be
  changed in ones normal lifetime.
• Castes determined ones
• occupation (job)
• diet
• marriage partner
• Four main castes
• Brahmins (priests)
• Kshatriyas (warriors, nobles)
• Vaisyas (merchants, artisans)
• Sudras (unskilled workers, peasants)
• Untouchables not part of caste system because
  they were considered outsiders

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Reincarnation and Karma

• Reincarnation is a major belief of Hinduism
• Karma determines where your soul will go in the
  next life
• Stepping up to a higher caste is not easy.
• For your soul to advance
• Must be a good citizen and family member
• Must carry out your caste duties to the fullest

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Lifes Four Stages

• Only Hindu males of the three upper classes are
  allowed to read the Vedas.
• Once they undertake this sacred study, theyre
  called twice born.
• Their lives are divided into Four Stages

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Lifes Four Stages Continued

• Stage 1
• A young boy studies the Vedas with a guru, or
  spiritual teacher

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• Stage 2
• A young man marries and becomes a householder
• Stage 3
• Many householders choose to put aside their
  possessions and live in a forest. Here they
  meditate and draw closer to their god. Women can
  take part in this stage. Until this time they
  have been caring for the home and children.
• Stage 4
• A man or woman gives up everything, including
  caste membership to become a wandering holy
  person.

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Hindu Worship Clip

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