HINDUI

INDIA
“Land of
Complexity and
Diversity”.
INDIA
People, Customs,
Practices, Culture,
and Traditions.
HINDUISM
Third largest
religion in the world
HINDU
ADHERENTS
In India comprise the
major volume of the
population.
Comprising 80%.
 Nepal, Bangladesh,
Indonesia
Specifically in Bali
Bhutan, Sri Lanka,
Mauritius, Suriname,
Guyana, Fiji, Trinidad,
and Tobago
HINDUISM
Was never a
missionary religion
HINDU BELIEF
May have flourished around
the third millennium B.C.E.
It had no one identifiable
FOUNDER
HINDU
Originated from the
Persian word hindu
In Sanskrit Sindhu which
means “river”
The name was accorded in 19th Century
to describe the wide assemblage of
BELIEF SYSTEMS in INDIA
It was originally known as “Arya
Dharma” or the “Aryan Way”.
HINDUISM
As early as 300 B.C.E.
The starting point of HINDUISM may
have originated from the customs of
the early people of the Indus Valley
around 2500 B.C.E. to 1500 B.C.E.
Elements of HINDUISM may have
taken shape from the practices of pre-
Aryan people who were already civilized
city dwellers between 1750 B.C.E. and
1200 B.C.E. the Aryan conquerors
transferred to the INDUS VALLEY
CLASSICAL
HINDUISM
Resulted in the blending of their faiths
Aryan brought with them their set of
beliefs based on the oral texts known as
VEDAS.
Authentically pre-Aryan
Aryan influence
CLASSICAL
HINDUISM
Definite fundamental assumptions about the
Aryan religion can be stated
They also brought with them a POLYTHEISTIC
RELIGION similar to that of other Indo-
European peoples
The Principal form of worship to the Aryan gods
is in the form of SACRIFICE
SUBDIVISIO
NS
SHAIVISM
Shiva is their god, value
discipline and philosophy,
worship in temples and
practice yoga.
SHAKTISM
Shakti is their supreme god, the
divine mother and assumes many
forms, be it a gentle one or fierce
deity, they use chants, magic, and
yoga to summon cosmic forces
VAISHNAVISM
Vishnu is their god, they
have multitudes of saints,
temples, and sacred texts
SMARTISM
Left to choose their own deity in
one of six manifestations, namely:
Ganesha, Siva, Shakti, Vishnu,
Surva, and Skanda, liberals as they
embrace all major Hindu gods
 SACRED
SCRIPTURES
The sacred text of Hinduism have been
principally passed down throughout
generation by way of dance, drama,
music, and recitation. Sanskrit has been
the language of the earliest writings.
SHRUTI AND
SMRITI
Shruti means “that which is heard”. They are
regarded as the eternal truths that were handed
down orally until the beginning of the present
age wherein there came the need to write them
down.
Smriti means “which has been remembered” and
these are writings that serve to reinforce shruti.
VEDAS
The four basic Vedic books, which are sacrificial hymns
compiled from an earlier oral tradition, are composed of
RigVeda, Sama-Veda, Yajur-Veda and Atharva-Veda.
The word Veda means “knowledge” or “sacred love”.
It is the earliest known Sanskrit literature from the
Brahmanic period and also regarded as the oldest
scripture of Hinduism.
UPANISHAD
Forming the fourth part of the Vedas, the
term Upanishad literally translated as
“sitting down near” or “sitting close to” as
it implies listening intently to the mystic
teachings of a spiritual teacher who has
fully understood the universal truths
RAMAYANA
Translated as the ‘Story of Rama” or
“Rama’s Journey” is a Sanskrit epic poem
written by the poet Valmiki consisting of
24,000 verses in seven books and 500
cantos written between 200 B.C.E. and
200 C.E.
MAHABHARAT
A
Written around 500 B.C.E.
this magnificent work is
attributed to the authority
Vyasa who is also regarded to
be the scribe of the Vedas
BHAGAVAD
GITA
A celebrated episode within
the Mahabharata is the
Bhagavad Gita or simply Gita
which is rendered as “the
Lord’s Song”.
BELIEF AND
DOCTRINES
The Hindu faith offers its
followers numerous paths to
salvation.
They may acquire liberation from
the cycle of life by means of
devotion to one or more gods.
BELIEF AND
DOCTRINES
Gods and Goddesses can be worshipped at their
temples.
The devotees can pray and offer sacrifices so that
they can gain favor from deities and assist them in
their struggle for salvation in temples.
Bhakti stands for the soul’s longing for and
clinging to god.
DEVOTION TO THE
TRIMURTI
Hindu Gods and Goddesses
The main core of Hindu faith is the Brahman who
is regarded as the ultimate reality, one, and
undivided.
The Brahman is often seen in three forms or
functions. Trimurti these are creation, preservation,
and destruction.
DEVOTION TO THE
TRIMURTI
These functions are expressed in god
forms, namely:
Brahma, the creator
Vishnu, the preserver
Shiva, the destroyer
THE AVATARS OF
VISHNU
Incarnation-Matsya
Forms-fish
Attributes-Saved humanity and
the sacred Veda text from flood
THE AVATARS OF
VISHNU
Incarnation-Kurma
Forms-turtle
Attributes-Helped create the
world by supporting it on his back
THE AVATARS OF
VISHNU
Incarnation-Varaha
Forms-boar
Attributes-Raised the earth out of
water with his tusks
THE AVATARS OF
VISHNU
Incarnation-Narasimha
Forms-Half-man, half-lion
Attributes-Destroyed the warrior
class
THE AVATARS OF
VISHNU
Incarnation-Vamana
Forms-dwarf
Attributes-Subdued King Bali, a
powerful demon
THE AVATARS OF
VISHNU
Incarnation-Parshurama
Forms-Brahmin
Attributes-Destroyed the warrior
class
THE AVATARS OF
VISHNU
Incarnation-Rama
Forms-man
Attributes-Rescued his wife Sita
and killed the demon Ravana
THE AVATARS OF
VISHNU
Incarnation-Krishna
Forms-man
Attributes-Told the epic poem
Bhagavad Gita to the warrior
Arjuna
THE AVATARS OF
VISHNU
Incarnation-Buddha
Forms-man
Attributes-The enlightened man
THE AVATARS OF
VISHNU
Incarnation-Kalki
Forms-horse
Attributes-Yet to come to the
earth
ROUTES TO
MOKSHA
From the Upanishads one may find the three
principal and inter-related doctrines within the
Indian religion.
First, every soul dies and is reborn anew in new
form (this cycle is called samsara). Second, one’s
deeds have an effect in this or a future life. Lastly,
one may escape the weary round of death and birth.
ROUTES TO
MOKSHA
Within every human is an eternal soul
or atman that is being reborn many
times and in various forms in
accordance to the moral law or karma.
A soul may escape the cycle of rebirth
and attain moksha
THE FOUR YOGAS
AND THEIR
CORRESPONDING
PRACTICES
Four Yogas-Jnana Yoga (The way of
Knowledge Bhakti Yoga
Practices-The path of knowledge,
wisdom, introspection, and
contemplation
THE FOUR YOGAS
AND THEIR
CORRESPONDING
PRACTICES
Four Yogas-Bhakti Yoga (The Way of
Love)
Practices-The path of devotion,
emotion, love, compassion, and service
to God and others.
THE FOUR YOGAS
AND THEIR
CORRESPONDING
PRACTICES
Four Yogas-Karma Yoga (The Way of
Work)
Practices-The path of action, service to
others, mindfulness, and remembering
the levels of our being while fulfilling
our actions of karma in the world.
THE FOUR YOGAS
AND THEIR
CORRESPONDING
PRACTICES
Four Yogas-Raja Yoga (The Way of
Meditation
Practices-The path of meditation that
directly deals with the encountering
and trabscending thoughts of the mind.
WORSHIP AND
OBSERVANCES
Hindu scriptures affirms that there are
330 million gods or devas.
Hindu worship or puja entails images
(murtis), prayers (mantras), and
diagrams of universe (yantras).
WORSHIP AND
OBSERVANCES
Most Hindus worship individually
involving mantras or vibrating sounds
that summon the deity and the Prasad
or gift offerings. Vital to Hindu
worship is darshan that pertaining to
seeing and being in the presence of
deity.
WORSHIP AND
OBSERVANCES
In temples, ceremonies may be in the form
of offering a flames, milk, or honey, and
even reciting chants and music.
While worship maybe undertaken any day
of the week Thursday is considered to be
the most opportune day.
SEVERAL FESTIVALS
CELEBRATED BY
HINDUS IN A YEAR
Month-January
Name of Festival-Lohri
Significance-celebrated in the
Punjab and marks the end of
winter
SEVERAL FESTIVALS
CELEBRATED BY
HINDUS IN A YEAR
Month-February
Name of Festival-Pongal-
Sankranti
Significance-feast held to
celebrate the rice harvest
SEVERAL FESTIVALS
CELEBRATED BY
HINDUS IN A YEAR
Month-March
Name of Festival-Holi
Significance-national celebration
of spring and New Year in
Southern India
SEVERAL FESTIVALS
CELEBRATED BY
HINDUS IN A YEAR
Month-March
Name of Festival-Shivaratri
Significance-national honoring of
Shiva, worshippers fast during the day,
and an all-night vigil is held in Shiva
temple
SEVERAL FESTIVALS
CELEBRATED BY
HINDUS IN A YEAR
Month-April
Name of Festival-Sri-Vaishnavas
Significance-honoring of Vishnu and his
consort Sri, celebrated in Madras at the
beginning of the hot season; images of Vishnu
are taken from the temples to the seashore.
SEVERAL FESTIVALS
CELEBRATED BY
HINDUS IN A YEAR
Month-May
Name of Festival-Rathyatra
Significance-birth of Lord Jagannath,
celebrated with chariots in Puri
SEVERAL FESTIVALS
CELEBRATED BY
HINDUS IN A YEAR
Month-August
Name of Festival-Janmshtami
Significance-birthday of Khrishna, celebrated
nationally; worshippers fast during the day and
break the fast in the evening, following a
special puja, or worship.
SEVERAL FESTIVALS
CELEBRATED BY
HINDUS IN A YEAR
Month-September
Name of Festival-Dusserah
Significance-celebration of the triumph of God
over evil, in honor of Durga or Rama
SEVERAL FESTIVALS
CELEBRATED BY
HINDUS IN A YEAR
Month-September
Name of Festival-Ganesh Chaturthi
Significance-birthday of Ganesh, celebrated
nationally throughout India; huge Images of
Ganesh are paraded
SEVERAL FESTIVALS
CELEBRATED BY
HINDUS IN A YEAR
Month-October
Name of Festival-Diwali
Significance-national celebration in honor of
Rama and his consort
SELECTED
ISSUES
HINDUISM AND WOMEN
Even though Manusmriti or the “Laws
of Manu” states that women should be
honored in Hindu society. Women have
been always been regarded as
subservient to men in almost all
aspects of life.
POVERTY
The swiftly industrialization in India is mainly
affecting village economy and the rural way of
life. While family pattern may have been
disrupted by outside forces, tradition still
continues in the local setting as evidenced by
the fatalistic nature of village people.
CASTE SYSTEM
It is one major distinct feature of Indian culture that
still affects the contemporary society. A social class
comprised of the Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas,
and Shudras, opportunities are based upon family
origin. One person belongs to a caste by being born
to parents of that particular caste. However, the
most dishonorable group are those individuals that
do not belong to any group.
KEY POINTS
Hinduism is oftentimes considered as the
oldest and most complex religions.
Hinduism has no single founder; no specific
theological system, and no single scared text.
The concept of dharma is closely linked to
Hindu religion.
KEY POINTS
The sacred writings of Hinduism are categorized
into shruti and smriti.
Fundamental to Hindu teachings are the doctrines of
samsara and karma.
Hindus believe in the trimuri, sacred images and
temples believe to house and represent the deities.
CHECKPO
INT!
CHECK POINT
1. It is regarded as eternal truths that were
passed orally until the beginning of the
present age wherein there came the
need to write them down.
2. A. Dharma B. Shmriti C. Shruti D.
Sidhu
CHECK POINT
2. It is an epic poem written by the poet
Valmiki consisting of 24,000 verses in
seven books and 500 cantos.
A. Bhagavad Gita B. Mahabharata
C. Ramayan D. Vedas
CHECK POINT
3. India’s biggest and most important
holiday of the year held in October or
November that is similar to the Christmas
holiday of the Christian.
A. Diwali B. Dusserah C. Holi D. Lohri
CHECK POINT
4. Literally translates as “sitting down near” or
“sitting close to” as it implies listening intently
to the mystic teachings of a spiritual teacher
who has fully understood the universal truths.
A. Brahmas B. Samhitas C. Sutras D.
Upanishads
CHECK POINT
5. The earliest known Sanskrit
literature from Brahmanic period
and oldest scriptures of Hinduism.
A. Benares B. Manusmriti C.
Vedas D. Yoga
CORRECT ANSWERS:
1. C
2. C
3. A
4. D
5. C