Basic%20Beliefs%20of%20Hinduism

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Basic Beliefs of Hinduism
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Hinduism Complex Religion

• No Founder always existed
• No SINGLE sacred Text
• Vedas
• Upanishads

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Brahman

• All-powerful, spiritual force
• God is one, but wise people know it by many
  names
• Brahman is not separate from the entire universe
  and all things within the universe

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Polytheistic or Monotheistic?

• Hinduism belief in god does not fit neatly into
  the framework of monotheism or polytheism
• Brahman takes on many forms
• Hindus worship many different gods they believe
  they are all just forms of Brahman.
• Brahman is all existence

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3 main forms of Brahman1) Brahma Creator
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2. Vishnu Preserver
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Shiva Destroyer
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Atman

• Hindus believe that all people have a soul or
  Atman. They believe that this Atman is part of
  Brahman

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Moksha

• The ultimate goal is to reach Moksha
• Moksha means salvation or oneness with Brahman
• Union of your soul with Brahman
• Free yourself of selfish desires
• Ends cycle of Reincarnation

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Reincarnation

• Rebirth of soul in another body
• SAMSARA the cycle of reincarnation
• It is the ultimate goal to be released from
  Samsara
• The only way to be released is to achieve Moksha

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• A view of Samsara

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Dharma

• Religious and moral duties of an individual.
• Each individual in society is expected to follow
  their Dharma

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Ashramas

• Dharma instructs people about responsibilities in
  each stage of life
• These stages are called Ashramas
• Student
• Householder
• Forest Dweller
• Renouncer

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Karma

• Karma is based on the belief that every action
  has an effect
• Good deeds leave a positive imprint and bad deeds
  leave a negative one
• When a person gives off a lot good Karma during
  life they can be reborn at a higher point and
  move closer to Moksha.