Hindu is a religion with 1 billion of people. One of the oldest religion of all.

It is
also one of the most controversial religion because some says it is not a religion
and others say it is a way of life. Hinduism is the most oldest active religion.
Hindu and India almost came in the same word. Sanskrit is the ancient language of
the hindu’s. The India's river was Sindhu and someone tended to switch it and
became Hindu and the people living across the river became hindus. And some
greeks change the name hindu into India.
HINDU IS A DIVERSE GROUP. THEY DEDICATE THEIR LIFE ON
PRAYING.
CORE BELIEFS OF HINDU
1. BELIEF IN ONE UNIVERSAL SOUL
hindus belief in one universal known as BRAHMAN
BRAHMAN- a formless, gender less source of reality.
-the universe and the material that makes up the universe.
2. BELIEF IN AN IMMORTAL INDIVIDUAL SOUL
in hinduism, souls are also known as ATMAN
ATMAN- action of the soul while in the body affects that soul in the next life.
TRANSMIGRATION- when you die, your soul moves to another new body.
- the kind of body that inhabit next is determined by KARMA.
3. BELIEF IN KARMA
karma is the action, usually good or bad actions that affects the society.
For hindus, karma is action in past that affects us today. And our actions today,
affects our soul in the future.
4. BELIEF IN MOSHKA
The goal of hindu life is soon get back to brahman. If a hindu can do this, they will
be from the cycle of life and death. This is called MOSHKA.
You can achieved moshka by realizing your oneness with brahman.
HINDU’S PRAY
“ LEAD ME FROM THE UNREAL TO REAL”
5. BELIEF IN THE VEDAS
-the vedas are sacred book of knowledge. And there are four veda
6. BELIEF ON CYCLICAL TIME
-for them, there are no beginnings and endings. Time is a series of cycle.
Each cycle containing 4 ages/yuga
YUGA: AGES/EPOCH
KALI YUGA,DVAPARA YUGA,TRETA YUGA AND KRITA YUGA if added
together: 4.32 million years
7. BELIEF IN DHARMA
DHARMA- proper behavior
 contains balance in the universe (animals, plants and humans)
if this all have balance, then everything is ok but if the dharma breaks,
everything will not so fine.
HINDUISM IS NOT A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION. THERE IS NO JESUS
OR MOHAMMAD FOR HINDUS, THERE IS NO BIBLE OR QURAN. BUT
THEY HAVE A BUNCH OF SACRED TEXTBOOKS.
THE FOUR VEDA
1. THE RIG VEDA- collection of songs that praise and discuss ideas like
TRUTH, REALITY AND UNIVERSE
2. THE YAJUR VEDA- cover such as official rights and rituals.
3. THE SAMA VEDA- “SAMA” means “ sweet songs that destroys
sorrows” mostly songs that are dedicated for praising God’s.
4. THE ATHARVA VEDA- bunch of curses.
ISLAM- monotheistic religion teaching that there is ONLY ONE GOD (ALLAH)
and that PROPHET MUHAMMAD is the MESSENGER of GOD.
- islam teaches that God is merciful, all powerful and unique.
Islam means Surrender

MUSLIMS- people who follow or practice ISLAM

QURAN- a romanized quran is the central religious text of Islam w/c muslim
believes to be a revelation from God.
SACRED SCRIPTURE of Islam.

SACRED SCRIPTURE- the revealed texts or HOLY WRIT of the words religions.

BELIEVER- are also called as muslims

- they accept surrender to will of ALLAH
ALLAH- GOD
- viewed as the sole of God (creator, sustainer, and restorer of the world)

RELIGIOUS CONCEPTS AND PRACTICES includes:

5 PILLARS OF ISLAM- ritual obligation of muslims
1. 1st PILLAR- SHAHADAH (PROFESSION OF FAITH)
the assertion of muslim faith, combining the themes of unity and mercy that are
evident in the QURAN.
2 SHAHADAHS: “THERE IS NO GOD BUT GOD”, & “MUHAMMAD IS THE
MESSENGER OF GOD”
2. 2ND PILLAR- ZALAT (PRAYER)
these prayers are very specific type of prayer.
- done 5 times a day at set strict times with the individual facing the KAABA in
MECCA.
KAABA- a building at the center of Islam’s most important mosque
MECCA- city in HEJAZI region of saudi arabia
- muslims must wash before praying
WUDU- (PURIFICATION) washing before praying.
-Islam procedure for cleansing part of the body. Ritual purification.
Prayers by a series of set positions: BOWING WITH HANDS ON KNESS,
STANDING, PROSTRATING and in a special position.

MOSQUE- place of worship for muslims

MUSALLA- informal and open places worship
3. ZAKAT (ALMSGIVING)- muslims have to deduct a certain amount of their
income to support the Islamic community and it usually about 2.5% of individuals’
income.
5 PRINCIPLES THAT SHOULD BE FOLLOWED WHEN GIVING ZAKAT
 MUST DECLARE TO GOD HIS INTENTIONS
 MUST BE PAID ON THE DAY THAT IT IS DUE
 AFTER OFFERING, THE PAYER MUST NOT EXAGGERATE ON
SPENDING HIS MONEY MORE THAN USUAL MEANS.
 PAYMENT MUST BE IN KIND
 MUST BE DISTRIBUTED IN THE COMMUNITY FROM WHICH IT
WAS TAKEN
4. SAWN (FASTING)
 TAKES PLACE DURING RAMADAN
RAMADAN- holy month in the Islamic calendar (lunar calendar)
 occurs from dawn to sunset each day during which time believers are
expected to prohibit themselves from FOOD, DRINK, SEXUAL
INTERCOURSE OR SMOKING.
 RAMADAN FASTING ends with the “ID-UL-FITR”
 “ID-UL-FITR”- festival of breaking the fast” last for three days
5. HAJJ (PILGRIMAGE)- honored in the Muslim community.
- should be an expression of devotion to God, not a means to gain social standing.

FAMILY LIFE