Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Region III
Schools Division of Bulacan
BANGA HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT

Name: Subject Teacher: Jaymee M, Dayao

Parent Name and Signature: Grade 12/Strand/Section:

INTRODUCTION TO WORLD RELIGION AND BELIEF SYSTEMS

QUARTER 2- MODULE 1

Content- Analyze the brief history, core teachings, fundamental beliefs, practices, and
related issues of Hinduism.

ESSENTIAL UNDERSTANDING H induism is the world‟s third

1. Theravada Buddhism is a major
Buddhist sect that adheres
to the original practices
and doctrines preached by
Siddhartha Gautama.
2. Attainment of salvation for
any Buddhist is by way of
one’s own action without the
assistance of any supreme or
supernatural being.
ESSENTIAL QUESTION
1. How is the life-story of
Siddhartha Gautama
incorporated into the teachings
of Buddhism?
2. How is one’s salvation attained
in Buddhism?
in Hinduism. Around sixth century B.C.E., Jainism and Buddhism appeared to challenge traditional Indian beliefs and
practices. In the fifteenth century C.E., Sikhism arose that featured Hindu and Islamic influences.
largest religion with round 15%
of the entire population
practicing the Hindu faith. Hindu
followers in India comprise the
major bulk with almost 80% of
the country‟s population adhering
to the religion. Other Asian
countries with considerable
Hindu faithfuls include Nepal (23
million), Bangladesh (15
million), and Indonesia (3.9 Ramakrishna Paramhansa was an
million in Bali). There are also Indian mystic and yogi during the
substantial number of Hindus in 19th-century. He was was one of the
Mauritius, Guyana, Fiji, Bhutan, foremost Hindu spiritual leaders of
Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, India.
and Sri Lanka. Hinduism was never a missionary religion unlike
Christianity or Islam (Brown 1975). With the changing times, however,
there have been proselytizing activities by Hindu missionaries in some
Western cities. Three other religions that sprung in India have their origins

BACKGROUND

Hinduism is oftentimes considered as the oldest and most complex of all world religions. While the most
active religions of the modern times may have started around the sixth century B.C.E. onward, elements and themes of
Hindu belief may have begun around the third millennium B.C.E. In addition,
unlike other major religions, Hinduism had no one identifiable founder (Hopfe TRIVIA
1983). The term Hindu originated from the Persian word hindu (in Sanskrit Did you know that the term “aryan”
sindhu) which means “river.” It also refers to the people of the Indus Valley— has had a history filled with
the Indians (Bowker 1997). The name Hinduism was given in the nineteenth controversy? In the 19th century, it
century to describe the wide array of belief systems in India. Hinduism was was used as a synonym for “Indo-
originally known as “Arya Dharma” or the “Aryan Way.” European,” later to mean “white
race.” The concept of Aryanism as
Aryans brought with them their set of beliefs based on oral texts known translated into the superiority of
as Vedas. This Vedic literature, however, was chiefly composed at the time the Nordic and Germanic peoples was
Aryans had already settled in India and blended with the natives. Admittedly, seized by Adolf Hitler and the Nazis
that led to the extermination of non-
Aryan people, including the Jews.
there is much difficulty in identifying elements in the Vedas that are genuinely pre-Aryan or Aryan influenced.
However, certain fundamental assumptions about the Aryan religion can be stated here. Firstly, the Aryans brought
with them a polytheistic religion similar to that of other Indo-European peoples. The sun, the moon and storms, are
personified in reference to the pantheon of gods and goddesses worshipped by the Aryans. Secondly, sacrifice was the
principal form of worship to the Aryan gods. Offerings to gods include animals and dairy products performed on altars
in open spaces. Since Aryans were nomadic, they had no temples (Hopfe 1983). In general, Hinduism has pre-Aryan
and Aryan elements that date back to ancient times.

SACRED SCRIPTURES
The sacred texts of Hinduism have been principally passed down throughout generations by way of music,
recitation, dance, and drama. Sanskrit has been the language of the earliest writings (Coogan 2005). The sacred
writings of the Hindus are categorized into two classes, the

SHRUTI
Shruti literally means “that which is heard.” They are regarded as eternal truths that were passed orally until
the beginning of the present age wherein there came the need to write them down (Bowker 1997). The four collections
of texts of the Vedas form the shruti and are considered primary sources and the most authoritative texts of the Hindu
faith. Other writings that form part of shruti include the Samhitas, Brahmanas, Upanishads, and a few Sutras.

Vedas
The four basic Vedic books, which are sacrificial hymns compiled from an earlier oral tradition, are composed
of Rig-veda, Sama-veda, Yajur-veda, and Atharva-veda. The word Veda means “knowledge” or “sacred lore.”
The Vedas are the earliest known Sanskrit literature from the Brahmanic period and oldest scriptures of Hinduism.
Scholars disagree as to when the Vedas were first written. The earliest hymns may have been written around 2000
B.C.E. or before the arrival of the Aryans in the Indus Valley area. They may also have been written down between
1500 B.C.E. to 400 B.C.E. Ascertaining the exact period is difficult because these books may have been composed
and passed orally for so many generations before they were first written down and eventually completed. In the great
epic Mahabharata, Brahma was said to have created the Vedas.
Among the four Vedas, the Rig-Veda is the most important and oldest book that dates back to around 1500
B.C.E. to 1200 B.C.E. Apart from being the oldest work of literature in an Indo-European language, it is also the
oldest living religious literature of the world (Parrinder 1971). The book is a collection of over a thousand hymns and
more than thousand verses dedicated to the Aryan pantheon of gods.

Names of Indian Gods and Goddesses

Yajur-Veda or the “knowledge of rites” is
the second book. Composed between 1200
B.C.E. to 1000 B.C.E., this book is a
compilation of materials recited during
rituals and sacrifices to deities. The third
book is Sama-Veda or the “knowledge of
chants.” Dating back almost the same time
as the Yajur-Veda, this book is a collection
of verses from the basic hymns recited by
priests during sacrifices. TABLE 8.1 Names
of Indian Gods and Goddesses TRIVIA The
Hymn of Creation, the 129th hymn of the
tenth mandala of the Rig-Veda, concerns
itself with the origin of the universe. To
know more about Hindu cosmology, read
this particular hymn by accessing. Lastly,
the fourth book is Atharva-Veda or
“knowledge given by the sage Atharva” that
date back around 1500 B.C.E. to 1000
B.C.E. This book contains rituals used in
homes and popular prayers to gods. Seldom
used in solemn ceremonies unlike the other three Vedas, the Atharva-Veda contains numerous spells and incantations
for medicinal purposes and magical aids to victory in battle among others (Parrinder 1971).
 DEVOTION TO THE TRIMURTI
Central to Hinduism is the Brahman who is
the ultimate reality, one and undivided
(Hopfe 1983). The Brahman is often seen in
three forms or functions. Called the
Trimurti, these are creation, preservation,
and destruction. These functions are
expressed in god forms, namely, Brahma,
the creator; Vishnu, the preserver; and
Shiva, the destroyer. The 3 main Hindu
Gods are together called the TRIMURTI. They are all different
aspects of BRAHMAN and work together in a never ending way.

Though widely respected and recognized as the creator of the universe, Brahma receives the least attention
among the trimurti. In fact, only two 126 Dharmic Religions temples are dedicated to him in India and he has no cult
of devotees (Hopfe 1983). He is not worshiped in the same way as other gods because he has done his task and will
not come into his own until the next creation of the universe (Bowker 1997). When depicted, Brahma has four heads
and eight hands. His chief consort is Saraswati, the goddess of science and wisdom. Brahma‟s vehicle is a swan or
goose which symbolizes knowledge. Known as a god of love, benevolence, and forgiveness, Vishnu‟s primary
concern is humanity itself. As the preserver, the creation is withdrawn to a seed whenever he sleeps but rises again as
he wakes up. He is worshiped in various forms of his incarnations or avatars. Based on mythology, Vishnu has
appeared on earth in nine different forms and will come a tenth time to end the present era or kalpa, to bring the world
to an end, and then recreate it. These manifestations of Vishnu are intended to help humanity with his preserving,
restoring, and protecting powers.
The Incarnations or Avatars of Vishnu

SUBDIVISIONS
Followers of Hinduism vary in their set of beliefs and practices, including reverence to a particular god.
Presently, there are four principal denominations within the Hindu faith. These are Shaivism, Shaktism, Vaishavism,
and Smartism. It is important to note, however, that while these gods have different names, Hindus all worship one
supreme being.
Each sect has its own religious leaders, sacred texts, schools, and temples. While there is indeed variety and
key differences among sects, adherents of these denominations share the pervading beliefs concerning karma, dharma,
reincarnation, and other key Hindu concepts and philosophy.
Shaivism Lord Shiva, the Compassionate One, is God for the Saivites. Followers of Shaivism value self-
discipline and philosophy. They worship in temples and practice yoga.
Shaktism The Goddess Shakti is supreme for Shaktas. She is the divine mother and assumes many forms,
be it a gentle one or a fierce deity. Believers use chants, magic, and yoga to summon cosmic forces.
Vaishnavism Lord Vishnu is God for the Vaishnavites, especially in his incarnations Krishna and Rama.
Adherents have multitudes of saints, temples, and sacred texts.
Smartism For the Smartas, devotees are left to choose their own deity in one of six manifestations, namely,
Ganesha, Siva, Shakti, Vishnu, Surya, and Skanda. Smartas are known as liberals as they embrace all major Hindu
gods.
 Summary
• Hinduism is oftentimes considered as the oldest and most complex of all world religions. Hinduism has no single
founder, no specific theological system, and no single sacred text.
• The concept of dharma is closely linked to the Hindu religion. It is the power that preserves the society.
• The sacred writings of the Hindus are categorized into shruti and smriti. Shruti literally means “that which is heard”
and are regarded as eternal truths that were passed orally. The four books of Vedas are part of the shruti. Meanwhile,
smriti literally means “that which has been remembered” and these are writings that serve to reinforce shruti.
• Fundamental to Hindu teachings are the doctrines of samsara (the cycle of rebirth) and karma (the universal law of
causality).
• Apart from recognizing a vast assortment of Indian deities, the Hindus believe in the trimurti (trinity) composed of
Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. Integral to Hindu worship are the sacred images and temples believed to house and
represent the deities.

Assessment

A. True or False. Write T if the statement is true and F if the statement is false.

1. In Hinduism, one may skip the cycle of rebirth or incarnation.

2. There are over 500 million devas or gods in Hinduism.
3. The Ramayana contains 24000 verses in 6 books.
4. Vishnu is the god of love, benevolence, and forgiveness.
5. Kocherii R. Narayanan is a dalit who became the tenth president of India from 1997 to 2002.
6. Brahma is the founder of Hinduism.
7. The „Festival of Lights‟ is held annually around August or September. 132 Dharmic Religions
8. Those who practice Shaivism value self-discipline and philosophy.
9. The Vedas were passed down through written texts.
10. Bhagavad Gita is also known as “the Lord‟s Song.”

B. Fill in the blanks with the correct answer.

1. The Upanishads include fundamental teachings in Hinduism such as karma (action),
(reincarnation), moksha (nirvana), atman (soul), and Brahman (Absolute Almighty).
2. Hinduism is the world‟s third largest religion with around % of the entire population
practicing the Hindu faith.
3. is also known as the “layman‟s Upanishad”.
4. Brahma‟s chief consort is , the goddess of science and wisdom.
5. The word yoga is derived from the root word which translates as “to yoke” or
“to join”.
6. city is the most sacred pilgrimage site in India which is considered the home of Shiva.
7. teaches to choose one‟s own deity and embrace all Hindu gods.
8. Hinduism was originally known as “ ” or the “Aryan Way”.
9. Among the four Vedas, the is the most important and oldest book that dates
back to around 1500 B.C.E. to 1200 B.C.E
10. For all Hindus, there are four desirable goals of life or .

C.ESSAY. Write an essay about one of the four yogas. Grade using the rubric below.

Topic: Hinduism
• What was the context of Hinduism‟s development in India?
• How is the caste system related to one‟s dharma and karma according to Hinduism?
• Why is union of Atman with the Brahman important in attaining moksha?
• How will the Four Yogas help in attaining liberation in the identification of Atman and Brahman?