Hinduism

Hinduism
Hinduism is one of the most ancient and diverse religions
in the world. It encompasses a rich tapestry of beliefs,
traditions, and cultural practices that have evolved over
thousands of years. The foundational concept in Hinduism
is dharma, which encompasses the moral and ethical
duties of an individual. This religion has no single founder
and is best understood as a way of life that has been
shaped by diverse cultural influences.
Hindus call their religion , which
mean “eternal religion” or “eternal truth”, or
, meaning “religion of the vedas.”

The word Hinduism was coined by the

British administration in India during
colonial times. It is suspected that the
word is derived from the Persian word
, meaning river “river”, or a Persian
corruption of the word , which
means “the river Indus”

Hinduism roughly means “of the Indus

Valley” or simply “Indian” in modern
times.
Founder and Origins of Hinduism
vHinduism is a Collection of religious belief that developed
slowly over a long period of time.

vUnlike other major religions like Buddhism, Islam, Christianity,

and Judaism, It cannot be traced back to a single founder.

vMost scholars believe Hinduism started somewhere between

2300 B.C. and 1500 B.C. in the Indus Valley, near modern-day
Pakistan.
 History of Hinduism
1 Vedic Period Hinduism's roots can be traced back to the
Vedic period, from 1500 BCE to 500 BCE,
characterized by the composition of the
Vedas and the emergence of early Vedic
rituals and practices.

2 Classical Period During the classical period, from 500 BCE to

500 CE, Hinduism saw the rise of major
philosophical and religious texts, the
establishment of major deities, and the
development of complex rituals and social
structures.

3
Medieval and The medieval and modern periods saw the
emergence of diverse sects and schools of
Modern Period thought, the impact of Islamic and European
influences, and the reformation movements
led by various spiritual leaders.
 What is Hinduism?
v Hinduism is a of religious, philosophical,
and cultural ideas and practices that
originatinated in India. It is based heavily upon
the caste system which governs India's people

v It is characterized by the common belief in

reincarnation, one absulote being capable of
multiple manifestations, the law of “cause and
effect”, following the path of righteousness, and
the desire for liberation from the cycle of births
and deaths.
The main symbol of Hinduism is called
v Unlike other religion, Hinduism is open to a Om (or Aum). It represents the spirit of
variety of beliefs, including those involving God all things in the world. the name “Om”
and the universe. represents the sound that was made
when the universe was created.
 What is Hinduism?
v Although Hinduism is considered polytheistic, all
Hinduism believe that there is a single Ulitimate
Reality known as . also known as “the
one”, Brahman is credited towards the creation of
all things

v Regardless of beliefs, all Hindus wish to obtain

Moksha, or release from , the cycle of
rebirth. by breaking this cycle, the individuals
becomes one the God.

v The system of Karma is universal. actions during a

person's lifetime result in which will affect
that individual's reincarnation and journey
towards moksha.
 What is Hinduism?
v Hindus believe that the creation of the universe
was started by Brahman. the universe itself is
viewed as a sphere, with India at its center.

v Brahman has multiple manifestations as a variety of

deities.

v The world is believe to be cyclic, and goes through

periods of destruction, afterwards resulting in a
golden age. this ties in with the rebirth system, as
well as the Karma of the universe.

v As a result, Hinduism comes to the conclusion

that the universe is never-ending, and continues
this cycle of rebirth.
Beliefs and Core Concepts in Hinduism
1 Dharma
Hindus follow the concept of
dharma, which includes moral,
ethical, and social duties.
3 Samsara
Hindus believe in the cycle of
birth, death, and rebirth governed
by karma.
2 Karma
Belief in karma, the law of cause
and effect, is central to Hindu
philosophy.
4 Moksha
Attainment of moksha, liberation
from the cycle of rebirth, is the
ultimate goal for Hindus.
 Samsara (Reincarnation) The Soul is
eternal &
vThis is the concept that the soul is immortal, and all life forms indestructible
are reborn into new entity after death. the key word is entity:
you do not have a guarantee of being reborn as a human being.

vSamsara is the wheel of rebirth which means the soul is reborn

from one life form to another.
vPeople may be reincarnated at a higher or lower level of
existence depending on their karma from their present life.
vPeople may be reborn as plants or animals or they may be
elevated to a higher caste as a human.
vDeath is not final for Hindus as they expect to be reborn many The body is
Temporary: it
times. dies.
 Karma (Action)
vKarma: “action” or “deeds”

vEvery action produces a Justified effect based on its

moral worthiness.

vKarma determines all the particular circumstances

and Situations of one’s life.

vKarma is a concept that if you do good deeds, good

things will happen in your life. If you do bad deeds,
bad things will happen to your life.
 Moksha (Nirvana)
vMoksha is when your soul becomes free from the
cycle of rebirth, and is no longer reincarnated.

vThis happens after you reached the highest level of

rebirth, and you can't be reborn into a higher form.

vwhen you reached moksha, it means you have had

all of life's experiences, learned of all of life's lessons,
and reached a perfect understanding of the universe.

vInstead of being reincarnated, your soul becomes

one with god.
Four Goals of Life in Hinduism

1. Dharma - be a good, virtuous, moral person

2. Artha - earn material prosperity such as money. this allows

you and your family to a live a secure life.

3. Kama - seek happiness, pleasure, emotional fulfillment.

4. Moksha - seek freedom from ignorance, spirituality and

self-knowledge.
 Brahman
vHinduism is famous for having thousands of
deities, both gods and goddesses, but most
Hindus believe that all of the deities are
manifestations of Brahman.

vBrahman is “the unchanging reality a midst and

beyond the world”, which “cannot be exactly
defined”, but is Sat~Chit~Ananda (being-
consciousness-bliss) and the highest reality.

vthe various gods and goddesses are viewed

strictly as embodiments of the Divine Brahman.
Hindu Gods and Goddesses
1 Trimurti
The Trimurti,means “three consisting of Brahma, Vishnu,
and Shiva, represents the cosmic functions of creation,
preservation, and destruction.

2 Goddesses
Hinduism also reveres various goddesses, such as Lakshmi,
Durga, and Saraswati, symbolizing strength, prosperity, and
wisdom.

3 Regional Deities
Each region in India has its own unique deities
worshipped with fervor and devotion.
Trimurti
1. Brahma “The Creator”

Brahma is said to have created the universe. Brahma has

four heads and four arms. His four heads represent the four
Vedas, the religious writings of Hinduism. He is the giver of
all knowledge

2. Vishnu “The Preserver”

He is the central and most important god of the trimurti.

Vishnu’s main job is sustainer. This means he supports and
maintains everything that exists. Vishnu is said to protect the
universe from harm.

3. Shiva “The destroyer”

Shiva is said to destroy evil and sins and eventually the

universe. Shiva has three eyes. His middle eye sees the truth.
THE TWO MOST POPULAR GODS

SHIVA VISHNU
 Avatars of Vishnu
vavatar, In Hinduism, the incarnation of a
deity in human or animal form to counteract
an evil in the world.

vThe term usually refers to the 10

appearances of Vishnu: Matsya (fish), Kurma
(tortoise), Varaha (boar), Narasimha (half
man, half lion), Vamana (dwarf),
Parashurama (Rama with the axe), Rama
(hero of the Ramayana epic), Krishna (the
divine cowherd), Buddha, and Kalkin (the
incarnation yet to come).
Krishna Rama
 Goddesses

Saraswati
Lakshmi
v wife of Shiva
vblack in color & wearing a necklace of
skulls.
vShe is a bloodthirsty goddess.
vA violent destroyer of her enemies
vaffectionate and caring for her devotees.
.
Hindu Scriptures and Sacred Texts

Vedas
The Vedas, ancient scriptures,
form the foundation of Hindu
religious knowledge and
rituals.
Upanishads
Upanishads delve into the
philosophical aspects of
existence, consciousness, and
the nature of reality.

Epics
Epics such as the Ramayana and the Mahabharata play a crucial
role in shaping Hindu ethics and values.
v The system which divides
Hindus into rigid hierarchical
groups based on their karma
(work) and dharma (duty)

v The caste system has existed in

some form in India for at least
3,000 years. It is a social
hierarchy passed down through
families, and it can dictate the
professions a person can work in
as well as aspects of their social
lives, including whom they can
marry.
Culture and Traditions in Hinduism
Hindu culture is steeped in a rich tapestry of traditions, customs, and social
practices that have been passed down through generations. It encompasses
diverse art forms, music, dance, festivals, and culinary traditions that reflect
the multifaceted nature of Hindu society.

The cultural heritage of Hinduism includes classical Indian art, architecture,

literature, and performing arts, all of which have flourished under the
influence of Hindu religious and philosophical themes.
Festivals and Celebrations in Hinduism
1 Diwali
Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a major Hindu festival
celebrated with great fervor and enthusiasm. It symbolizes the triumph of
light over darkness and is marked by lamp lighting, fireworks, and family
gatherings.

2 Holi
Holi is a vibrant and colorful festival that signifies the arrival of spring
and the victory of good over evil. It is known for its exuberant
celebrations with colored powders, music, and dance.

3 Navaratri
Navaratri is a nine-night festival dedicated to the worship of the divine
feminine energy, celebrated through traditional dance, music, and
elaborate rituals across different regions of India.
 Festival: Diwali “Row of light”

vTakes place in Oct. or Nov.

vIt is a series of five festivals
vLights are floated on small rafts
vIf the candle remains lit, good luck
will follow.
vPilgrims come from all over
to bathe in the Ganges.

vCountless Hindus come to

Banaras to die.

vIt has 1500 temples, most of

them devoted to Shiva.

vIt is a gathering place for the

religiously learned and their
disciples.
v Falling from Its source of
Vishnu’s feet onto
Shiva’s head and out
from his hair, the water
of the Ganges is sacred
enough to purify all sins.
 Sacred Cow of India
v in Hinduism, the belief that the cow is
representative of divine and natural
beneficence and should therefore be
protected and venerated.

v The cow has also been associated with

various deities, notably Shiva (whose steed
is Nandi, a bull), Indra (closely associated
with Kamadhenu, the wish-granting cow),
Krishna (a cowherd in his youth), and
goddesses in general.