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 Pre se nt e d by Group 8

LESSON 8:
HINDUISM
Int ruduc t i on Worl d a nd
Re l i gi on Be l ie f Syst e m
 MEET THE TEAM

YSANNY NIELHANA JOHARTO OMAR HALED

A. Da t uc a l i S. Di ndo B. Al i U. Abo
Hinduism • Hinduism is the world's third largest
religion with around 15% of the
entire population practicing the Hindu
faith. Hindu followers in India
comprise the major bulk with almost
80% o the country's population
adhering to the religion.
Hinduism

• Hinduism was never a missionary religion unlike Christianity

or Islam. With the changing times, nowever, there nave been
proselyazing actvides by findu missionaries in some Western
cities.
Hinduism

•• Three other religions that sprung in India have their origins in

Hinduism. Around sixth century B.C.E., Jainism and Buddhism
appeared to challenge traditional Indian belies and practices. In
the fifteenth centur C.B.. Sikhism arose that reatured Hindu and
Islamic Influences.
 • According to Hopfe (1983),
Hinduism is oftentimes considered
Historical as the oldest and most complex of
Background all world religions.

• The term "Hindu" comes from the

Persian word for "River" and refers
to the people of the Indus Valley the
Indians. Hinduism was originally
known as “Arya Dharma” or “The
Aryan Way”.
Historical
Background
• The civilization in the ancient cities of Harappa and Mohenjo-
Daro revealed early advanced societies, but their written language
remains undeciphered.

• Aryan conquerors, around 1750 to 1200 B.C.E., brought their

beliefs and Vedas, contributing to the formation of classical
Hinduism.
Historical
Background
• The religion is characterized by polytheism, with gods
personifying natural elements, and sacrificial worship, originally
performed in open spaces due to the nomadic nature of the Aryans.
The roots of Hinduism involve a blend of pre-Aryan and Aryan
influences.
 Sacred Scriptures
The sacred writings of the Hindus are categorized into two classes,

the Shruti and Smriti.

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).
 Shruti
• Vedas
-The Vedas are the earliest known Sanskrit literature from the Brahmanic
period and oldest scriptures of Hinduism.

-In the great epic Mahabharata, Brahma was said to have Created the
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."
 • Vedas
• Rig-Veda-is the most important and oldest book that dates back to
around 1500 B.C.E. to 1200 B.O.E, it is also the oldest living religious
literature of the world. The book is a collection of over a thousand
hymns and more than thousand verses dedicated to the Aryan pantheon
o gods. (Ex. Indra, Leader of the devas or gods; the lord of heaven in
Hinduism; god of rain and thunderstorms.)

• 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.
 • Vedas
• Sama-Veda or the "knowledge of chants”- is almost the same time as
the Yajur-Veda, this book is a collection of verses from the basic
hymns recited by priests during sacrifice.

• Atharva Veda or “knowledge given by the Atharva"- developed around

1500 B.CE. to 1000 B.C.E. This book contains rituals used in homes
and popular prayers to gods. The Atharva Veda contains numerous
spells and incantations for medicinal purposes and magical aids to
victory in battle among others.
 • Vedas
-Each Vedas consists of four main parts the Mantras, Brahmanas, Aranyakas, and
Upanishads.

1. Mantras- are hymns and chants for praising god.

2. Brahmanas- are explanations to the Mantras with detailed descriptions of the

sacrificial ceremonies related to them.

3. Aranyakas- are meditations that explicate their meaning.

4. Upanishads or secret teachings transcend rituals to elucidate the nature of the

universe and human's connectedness to it. The many teachings embedded in the
Upanishads are called Vedanta, and these are teeming with spiritual truths.
 UPANISHADS
Upanishads literally translates as "sitting down near" or "sitting

close" as it implies listening intently to the mystic teachings of a

spiritual teacher who has fully understood the universal truths. It also

mean "brahma-knowledge". The great indian nationalist and

philosopher Sri Aurobino describe the upanishads as the " supreme

work of the indian mind.

 UPANISHADS
Hinduism are found in these profound treatises, such as

karma(action), samsara( reincarnation), moksha(Nirvana),

atman(soul), and brahman(Absolute Almighty). The earlier of the

upanishads may have originated in the ninth century B.C.E. while the

most recent around the sixth century B.C.E. (Hope 1983).

 -Smriti literally means "that which has been

remembered." These writings serve to

SMRITI reinforce shruti and are interpreted by sages

and scholars alike. Most of these texts are

sectarian in natre and considered or lesser

importance compared to shruti, such as

stories and legends, codes of conduct for the

society, and guidebooks for worship.

 SMRITI
-The Ramayana “Story of Rama's Journey"- is a Sanskrit epic poem by
Valmiki, with 24,000 verses in seven books and 500 cantos. Written between
200 BCE and 200 CE, it revolves around Rama, a prince portrayed as an
incarnation of the Hindu god Vishnu, born in Ayodhya. The central plot
involves Rama's exile on the eve of his coronation. This epic is performed in
dance and drama across Southeast Asia, particularly in Indonesia, Thailand,
and Cambodia, reflecting Hindu influence in the region.
 SMRITI
-The Mahabharata- another major Sanskrit literature of India, which is composed of

around one hundred thousand (100,00) verses making it the world’s longest poem.

Written around 500 B.C.E., this magnificent work is attributed to the author Vyasa who

is also considered to be the scribe of the Vedas. Mahabharata ranks in importance

among the sacred writings of various world religions. The Mahabharata tells of a great

struggle among the descendants of a king called Bharata, a name used by many Indians

to mean "India". It is an epic vision of the human condition, such as intrigue, romance,

duplicity, moral collapse, dishonour, and lamentations.

 SMRITI
-Bhagavad Gita (or simply Gita) which is translated as "the Lord's Song"-
is a celebrated episode within the Mahabharata. Written between the
second century B.C.E. and third century C.E. Considered as one of the

holiest books by the Hindus, the Gita is a 700-verse narrative of a dialogue

between the Pandava prince Arjuna and his guide-cousin Krishna.
 -The Hindu faith offers its followers many paths

to salvation. They may find liberation from the

cycle of life through devotion to one or more

Beliefs and gods. Gods and goddesses can be worshipped at

Doctrines their temples. In temples, devotees can pray and

offer sacrifices so that they can gain favor from

deities and assist them in their struggle for

salvation. Bhakti stands for the soul's longing for

and clinging to god.

Devotion to the Trimurti

-Central to Hinduism is the Brahman who is the ultimate reality, one and
undivided. Trimurti, (or Trinity) these are creation, preservation, and
destruction. These functions are expressed in god forms, namely, Brahma,
the creator Vishnu, the preserver, and Shiva, the destroyer.
Brahma (the creator)
Though widely respected and recognized
as the creator of the universe, Brahma
receives the least attention among the
trimurti. 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.
Vishnu (the preserver)
Known as a god of love, benevolence, and
forgiveness, Vishnu's primary concern is
humanity itself. Vishnu is depicted as having
four arms and with a dark complexion. His most
popular manifestation is Krishna who is blue, the
color of infinity and plays the flute.
Vishnu's consort is Lakshmi, the goddess of
fortune. Vishnu’s vehicle is the eagle mount or
kite Garuda, the symbol of the sky and the sun.
The snake in Garuda's claws represents water.
10 avatars of Vishnu
Shiva (the destroyer)
As the destroyer and the god of death,
destruction, and disease, Shiva is the third in
the Trimurti. His functions are many. He is
also god o dance, vegetable, animal, and
human reproduction. In Hindu belief, death is
but a prelude to birth, hence, the god of death
is also the god often revered through the ranks
lingam, the male energy surrounded by the
yoni, the female source of energy.
 Routes to Moksha
From the Upanishads, one may find the three principal and inter-related doctrines within the Indian
religion. These are the following:
• Every soul dies and is reborn anew in new form (this cycle is called samsara)
• One's deeds have an effect in this or a future life
• One may escape the weary round of death and birth.
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 o rebirth and attain moksha.
This liberation can be achieved through the four yogas, each with practices aimed at attaining spiritual
enlightenment.
The Four Yogas
Purushartha.
-For all Hindus, there are four desirable goals or areas of life or
purushartha. These are the following:

• Darma (appropriate behavior)

• Artha (the pursuit of legitimate worldly success)
• Kama the pursuit of legitimate pleasure: and
• Moksha (release from rebirth).
 Worship and Observances

Hindu scriptures state that there are 330 million gods

or devas. These include manifestations of natural
phenomena, evil forces, and even illnesses. Others
are venerated humans or town deities. Hindu
worship or Puja involves images (murtis), prayers
(mantras), and diagrams of the universe (yantras).
Puja
• The most common way to express worship for deities is the

puja.
• Pujas may be made in home altars or in temples.
• The puja is an important dimension of the religious life of the

most Hindus.
• The goal of the puja is darshan, where the devotee "exchange

glances" with the god or goddess.

Puja
Integral to Hindu worship are the sacred images and temples believed to house and
represent the deities. The rise of Islam in the seventh century led to significant
changes in the political landscape, notably the influence of Islamic empires. The
Mughal Empire, ruling India from 1526 to 1858, left an enduring impact with
architectural marvels like the Taj Mahal. Hindu worship involves individual
practices, emphasizing mantras and prasad. Worship is flexible but often considered
most auspicious on Thursdays. Hindu festivals, such as Holi, Diwali, and Dussehra,
are tied to the Hindu calendar, with Diwali or "Festival of Lights" being a major
festival symbolizing inner light protecting against evil forces.
Darshan
The darshan is an

intimate encounter between the two, and the

deity responds by sanctitying food ritually

offered by a devotee, which becomes prasad,

a sanctified food that the

devotee receives as a git from the god or

goddess.
Local and Regional
Festivals
SUBDIVISION
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, Vaishauism, and
Smartism.
 Four Principal Hindu Faith
A. Shaivism - The lord Shiva, the compassionate one, is god for the saivities.
Followers of Shaivism value self-discipline and philosophy. They worship in
temples and practice yoga.

B. Shaktism - The goddess Shakti is supreme for Shaktas. She is the divine
mother and assumes many forms, be it gentle one or a fierce deity. Believers use
chants, magic and yoga to summon cosmic forces.
 Four Principal Hindu Faith
C. Vaishavism - The lord Vishnu is god for the Vaishnavites, especially in his
incarnation Krishna and Rama. Adherents have multitudes ot saints, temples,
and sacred texts.

D. Smartism - Samrtas are known as liberals as they embrace all major Mindu
gods. Devotees are left to choose their own deity in one of six manifestations,
namely:

a. Ganesha d. Vishnu
b. Siva e. Surya
c. Shakti f. Skanda
SELECTED
ISSUES A. HINDUISM
AND WOMEN
India is a secular state that remains
neutral in issues involving B. CASTE
religious convictions and practices SYSTEM
of its citizenry.
 A. Hinduism and Women
The Manusmriti, or "Laws of Manu," advocates honoring women in Hindu
society; however, historically, women were often considered inferior and their
lives centered around male figures. Traditional expectations include a woman
being cared for by her father, husband, and sons in different life stages. Sati, a
practice where widowed women jumped on their husband's funeral pyre, was
prevalent in the past, aiming to demonstrate loyalty and save the husband's soul.
Though the British abolished sati in India, isolated cases have been reported in
modern times.
 B. Caste System
The case system is one of the major distinguishing features
of Indian culture that still aftects modern-day society. A
case system of social class composed 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 caste.
Thank You!
D o y o u h a v e a n y q u e s tio n ?
 ANY
QUESTIONS?
Do you have any questions regarding our

topic?
 Aum (or Om)

-is a symbol made up of three Sanskrit letters, A, U, and M. It is

the most important symbol in Hinduism as it represents Brahman or
god and is believed to be the sound heard at the time of the creation of
the universe. All of the major mantras start with aum/om.