Hinduism

1
Hinduism

• Bridget Luly
• Allison Metzger
• Aly Eberheart
• Period 5
• World Religions

2
The Religious Basics

• No known founder
• Polytheistic
• Origins go back further than any major religion
• Believe in reincarnation
• Often called a family of religions
• Born into a certain class
• Meditation
• India is their holy land- many places named after
  gods and goddesses
• Arranged marriages
• The role of women ranges from fair to intolerant,
  depending on the religious scripture
• Male dominated society, womens role is important
  in keeping house and peace keeping of marriage
• Not only based on worship and rituals, much of
  Hinduism has to do with the way one lives his life

3
A Day in the Life of a Hindu

• Rise at dawn, and utter the name of the deity of
  his choice before speaking to anyone.
• He is to think of the agenda for his day and try
  to achieve righteousness and wealth.
• Daily bath is a ritual-very specific process
  clarified in the scriptures.
• While bathing in the river, man is to scoop up
  water and while releasing it back into the water,
  recite mantras to please deities and the
  deceased.
• Morning prayer-readings from sacred scriptures,
  burning of incense, etc. (most have a room or
  spot specifically for worship).
• Worship throughout the day (morning, noon and
  evening. This pays debt to the deities).

4
Hindu Values and Ideals

• Many different religious scriptures which discuss
  theology, philosophy and mythology- Vedas and
  Upanishads.
• Karma (effects of actions in past life) and
  Dharma (ones righteous duty).
• Reincarnation.
• Moksha- like nirvana- release from cycle of being
  reborn.
• Strongly oppose abortion.
• Remarriage and divorce are not acceptable in
  society.
• The caste system is strictly followed. It has
  been outlawed in India, but they still practice
  it.
• Strive for success.
• Meditation, prayer and yoga are extremely
  important.
• Food is very sacred and considered a gift from
  the gods
• Prasada, or an offering to deities is very
  important
• Violence is unacceptable. They do not kill
  animals for food.
• Cows are sacred animals
• Temples are a sacred place, but are not visited
  regularly.
• Life is very involved with nature and the elements

5
Gods and Goddesses

• Shiva- the goddess of destruction.
• Brahman- the creator.
• Vishnu- the preserver.
• These are the three main gods they worship daily,
  but there are other gods such as Ganesh, the lord
  of success.

6
Gods and Goddesses cont.

• In temples, and around temples, you can find all
  kinds of soils to incorporate the gods
• White Soil Brahmin
• Red Soil Kshatriya (warrior caste)
• Yellow Soil Vaishya
• Black Soil Shudra
• Smell and tastes also signify gods
• Sweet Brahmin
• Sour Kshatriya
• Bitter Vaishya
• Astringent Shudra
• Festivals are held for gods throughout the year.
• Gods are to be kept in mind throughout the day.
• Worshiping is very important, but does not have
  to be done in a temple.

Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple is one of the most
popular Hindu temples.
7
Four Stages of Life

• Entire life is divided into four stages.
• Dharma-the practice of righteousness
• Artha-retaining material wealth
• Kama-the enjoyment of sensual pleasure
• Moksa-final liberation/release
• 1. Student- A time of total freedom with no
  obligations.
• 2. Householder-Starts with marriage. The man is
  supposed to devote his life to increase his
  wealth.
• 3.Forrest Dweller- With his wife, he moves out of
  the village. He is to devote himself to
  non-worldly activities.
• 4.Renouncer- Last years of his life. Spent
  homeless and without possessions, wandering to
  holy places until death. The pursuit of Moska.

8
The Caste System

• http//www.youtube.com/watch?vWBxy1R0jitM (stop
  at 308)
• Varnas- social classes
• Most of the rules that govern Hindu life apply to
  males of the higher caste only
• The four castes came from the sacrifice of a
  cosmic, humanlike being, the purusa.
• Brahmins came from the head, from its arms came
  the Ksatriyas, from its thighs the Vaisyas and
  from its legs the Sudras.
• Everyone born outside of the caste system are
  considered the Untouchables. They have recently
  chosen to call themselves dalits which means
  opressed.
• Brahmins were to be the people of the sacred word
  and rituals required for the good of society.
• Ksatriyas were to be warriors and rulers. They
  possessed a lot of physical strength and courage.
• Vaisyas were meant to be the backbone of the
  economy and business people.
• Sudras were to be servants and formed the base of
  the Hindu society. They were to serve the three
  higher castes.
• People were born into their varnas on based on
  the karma they had accumulated in their previous
  lives.

9
Marriage

• Arranged marriages.
• Not allowed to get remarried. Its considered
  unacceptable.
• If a womans husband becomes a social outcast, is
  evil or is missing for a number of years, the
  woman can get a divorce.
• The halves (man and woman) together create
  divinity.
• If a man and woman of different castes married,
  their children belonged to the lower caste.
• Weddings are very colorful. Different colors
  represent different things. The color red
  represents auspiciousness.
• There are many elaborate rituals which the bride,
  groom and the brides father perform throughout
  the ceremony.
• Bride typically gets a red Bendi dot on their
  forehead. Everyone used to wear Bendi dots, but
  now it is typically only for married women. Some
  men still wear them. This signifies a third eye,
  where mind is focused for meditation.

The art of henna is a bridal tradition.
10
Thaipusam Festival

• They believe the piercings will leave no scars
  and they will feel no pain, protected from bodily
  harm by the strict regime of abstinence, piety
  and vegetarianism they follow for a month before
  the festival
• This Festival honored Shivas youngest son, Lord
  Murugan.
• The people with piercings carry wooden kavadis,
  or portable altars, for three miles to Sri
  Thendayuthapani Temple where the festival ends.
• The festival ends with offerings and pouring of
  milk over the statue of Murudan.
• Body piercing is not restricted to Hindus, many
  Buddhists practice these sorts of festivals too.
• Hindus have multiple festivals throughout the
  year, dedicated to different gods, this is just
  one example.

11
Religious Practices

• Most worship all or some gods. These main gods
  are Brahman, Shiva, Vishnu.
• Some ignore gods all together and focus on
  realization of ones self through meditation.
• Most follow the three paths (margas) to
  liberation bhaktimarga (the path of devotion),
  jnanamarga (the path of knowledge or philosophy),
  and karmamarga (the path of works and action).
• Many only attend temples during religious
  festivals.
• Try to find a divine balance everyday between
  internal peace and worship with the gods.
• Mantras (prayer), yoga and meditation are
  practiced daily. This connects the people with
  the gods and ones self.
• Faith is also expressed in art

Meditation On Lord ShivaShaantam padmaasanastham
shashadharamakutam panchavaktram
trinetram,Shoolam vajram cha khadgam
parashumabhayadam dakshinaange vahantamNaagam
paasham cha ghantaam damaruka sahitam chaankusham
vaamabhaage,Naanaalankaara deeptam sphatika
maninibham paarvateesham namaami. MEANING I
prostrate myself before the five-faced Lord of
Parvati, who is adorned with various ornaments,
who shines like the crystal jewel, who is seated
peacefully in the lotus pose, with moon-crested
crown, with three eyes, wearing trident,
thunderbolt, sword and axe on the right side, who
holds the serpent, noose, bell, damaru and spear
on the left side, and who gives protection from
all fear to His devotees
12
Hindu Family

• Families are very close. It is important to work
  together and show kindness.
• They have specific names for family members, and
  are close to extended family as well.
• Paternal grandfatherDada Paternal
  grandmother.Dadi Maternal grandfather.Nana
  Maternal grandmother Nani
  Father... Bap, Pita Mother.. Ma, Mata
  Brother.. Bhai, Bhaya Sister. Didi,
  Bhen Father's brother Chacha Father's
  brother's wife...Chachi Mother's brother.. Mama
  Mother's brother's wife. Mami Mother's
  sister Mausi, Massi Mother's sister's
  husband.. Mausa Father's sister. Phuphi
  Father's sister's husband. Phua, Bhua

13
Hindu Dress

• Hindu dress is supposed to be simple and elegant.
  Women are dressed to look modest.
• Married men wear a white dhoti and a hat called a
  kurta
• Women typically wear a sari, which can be worn in
  many styles, but the most popular is that nivi
  style.
• Women sometimes wear a tunic with pants. This is
  called a salwarkameez.
• Hindu clothing is loose and does not require
  tailoring. Tight clothes are promiscuous and not
  acceptable.
• The clothes are there to serve their purpose of
  covering up, not to make a fashion statement.
• In Britain and other places, men can typically be
  found in Western clothes. Women stick more to
  traditional dress.

14
The Philosophy of Yoga

• http//www.youtube.com/watch?vp-Qhjlfoga4
• Hatha yoga is the yoga we are most familiar
• with today, which consists of bodily exercises.
  It is also known as Raja Yoga, which means the
  Royal Path.
• The word yoga is derived from the root yuj( to
  yoke, to join, to combine) It is used in India as
  religious practice, but is central to Hinduism.
• A contemplation of one reality.
• This form of yoga helps people free themselves
  from suffering.

15
Works Cited

• http//www.religionfacts.com/hinduism/practices.ht
  m
• http//hinduism.about.com/od/prayersmantras/a/5pra
  yers.htm
• http//hinduism.iskcon.com/lifestyle/807.htm
• http//www.brides.com/weddingstyle/cakes/feature/a
  rticle/113952
• http//www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/cultural/religion/hind
  uism/hinduism.html
• Klostermaier, K. Klaus. Hinduism. Oxford.
  Oneworld Publications, 1998