HINDUISM

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HINDUISM
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What is Hinduism?

• A philosophy and a way of life focused both on
  this world and beyond
• One of the oldest religions of humanity dating
  back to 1500 BCE
• There are 950 million Hindus in the world
  today-the worlds third largest religion.

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What is Hinduism?

• No single founder
• The religion of the Indian people
• Gave rise to Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism
• Goal Escape the endless cycle of
  birth-death-rebirth. Achieve enlightenment called
  Nirvana.

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Location of Hindus
The vast majority of Hindus live in India and
Nepal
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Sacred Texts

• Vedas and Upanishads
• Rig Veda Hinduisms oldest text-
  nearly 4000 years old

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Karma

• Karma Total of good and bad actions a human soul
  carries with it from life to life.

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Reincarnation

• The cyclic return of a soul to live another life
  in a new body .
• Samsara constant cycle of rebirth.
• Death is not final for Hindus they expect to be
  reborn many times.

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Reincarnation

• People may be reincarnated at a higher or lower
  level of existence depending on their karma from
  their present and past lives.
• People may be reborn as plants or animals or they
  may be elevated to a higher caste as a human.

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Caste System Class Division of Society

• Brahmin priests
• Kshatriya warriors and administrators
• Vaishyas farmers, merchants, teachers, artisans
• Sudras servants, laborers
• Untouchables live outside the caste system.

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Brahmins
Kshatriyas
Vaishyas
Sudras
Untouchables
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Places of Worship

• Hindu temples exist but Hinduism is usually
  practiced in the home where there is usually a
  shrine dedicated to a favored deity (god).

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The Major Gods Of Hinduism
Brahma The creator god and supreme god from
which all other gods are made.
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The Major Gods Of Hinduism
Shiva God of destruction and transformation so
that new can be created.
Vishnu The preserver god.
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The Ganges River
Falling from its source of Vishnus feet onto
Shivas head and out from his hair, the water of
the Ganges is sacred enough to purify all sins.
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Sacred Cow of India

• Milk holds a central place in religious rituals.
• In honor of their exalted status, cows often roam
  free.
• A citizen can be sent to jail
  for killing or injuring a cow.

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Banaras - Hindus Holy City

• Pilgrims come from all over to bathe in the
  Ganges.
• Countless Hindus come to die near the Ganges
• 1500 temples in the city, most of them devoted to
  Shiva.
• It is a gathering place for the religiously
  learned and their disciples.

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Shrines
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Temples
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Ms Stewarts Rhyme

• If you follow dharma and you have good karma
  then maybe in one of your lives you will achieve
  nirvana!

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What do Hindus believe?

• One impersonal Ultimate Reality Brahman
• Manifest as many personal deities
• True essence of life Atman, the soul, is
  Brahman trapped in matter (That art thou)
• Reincarnation atman is continually born into
  this world lifetime after lifetime (Samsara)
• Karma spiritual impurity due to actions keeps
  us bound to this world (good and bad)
• Ultimate goal of life to release Atman and
  reunite with the divine, becoming as one with
  Brahman (Moksha)

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• Mono OR Polytheistic?
• http//www.religionfacts.com/hinduism/beliefs/thei
  sm.htm

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Origins The Aryans

• An Indo-European people.
• Migrated to India in about 1500 BCE from the
  Caucus Mountains.
• Brought the Vedas.
• No single founder-combination of beliefs

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Festivals and Holy Days

• No set day of the week is holy-each days has its
  possibilities
• Religious festivals may be solar or lunar-lunar
  is preferred
• There are 125 special days in the Hindu year with
  Diwali being an extra special celebration.

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Diwali-Festival of Lights
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Goal of Hinduism

• Moksha release or liberation from the endless
  cycle of rebirth (reincarnation).
• Infinite bliss and awareness
• United forever with
  the divine

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What are the spiritual practices of Hinduism?

• Yogas seeking union with the divine
• Guru a spiritual teacher