Pre-Class: Samskara
1. What are samskara?
2. Identify several samskara connected to
birth, marriage, and death?
3. Are there any similarities to the other
religions we have discussed in class?
Pre-Class: Ganges Article
Article 1:
1. Why do Hindus dispose of bodies in the Ganges
River? What city?
2. Why hasn’t the government fined or punished
those who deposit bodies, ashes or soap into the
Ganges?
3. List three clean-up projects of the Ganges Action
Plan.
Article 2:
1. Has the Ganges action Plan been successful?
Support with evidence Website Back to Ganges Slide
Hinduism
Religious Facts Website
Let’s Talk about World Religions: Hinduism
Let’s Talk about World Religions: Hinduism
Hinduism
 World’s most ancient living religion #14
 3rd largest religion – most live in India #3
 Sanatana Dharma, The Eternal Way,
referred to as Hinduism in the West #2
 Began in India, from the Aryan beliefs with
No Founder
Hinduism
 Developed over thousands of years.
 A philosophy of how to live your life.
 In general Hinduism means: #4
 People living near the Indus River
 Used by Europeans, 19th century, to describe the many
religious practices of India
 Polytheistic –
 Has millions of Gods that reflect the complexity of
life. #5
Brahman
 Other deities (Gods) represent aspects
of Brahman (they come from the One
Supreme Being) #6
 A universal soul, present everywhere. #6
 Universal soul, One Divine Being
 The Upanishads describe Brahman as "the eternal,
conscious, irreducible, infinite, omnipresent, spiritual
source of the universe of finiteness and change." Brahman
is the source of all things and is in all things.
 Atman: individual soul
The Trimurti of Hinduism #5
VISHNU
BRAHMA
SHIVA
The Preserver
The Creator
The Destroyer
Hindu Gods #5
 Brahma- is the creator.
 Vishnu- is the preserver or protector.
 Shiva- is the destroyer.
 These 3 Gods create and maintain the
world we live in.
 Trimurti- representation of the 3 main
Gods of Hinduism.
Gods
Mono or polytheistic?
God Chart
There are three main gods, a triumvirate,
which are believed to be all part of
Brahman
 Brahma = the creator
 Vishnu = the preserver
 Shiva = the destroyer
 All three are responsible
for the creation, upkeep
and destruction of the
world.
Brahma = the Creator





Has four heads and it is believed the four Vedas came from these heads.
Some believe the four varnas came from a different part of Brahma’s
body.
His consort (companion) is Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge.
Often holds a lotus – the symbol of creation.
Keeps track of time on a string of beads.
Vishnu = the Preserver
 Preserver and protector of the
universe.
 Role is to return to earth in
troubled times and restore the
balance of good and evil.
 Has been reincarnated nine
times.
 Believe he will be
reincarnated one last time
close to the end of the world.
 Associated with light,
especially the sun.
 Represented with a human
body, with blue skin and four
arms.
 Each hand holds an object he
is responsible for.
Vishnu Continued
In Vishnu’s hands:
 Conch shell (produces
the “om” sound, the
primeval sound of
creation)
 Discus: symbolizes the
mind
 Lotus flower: glorious
existence and liberation
 Mace: mental and
physical strength
Shiva = the Destroyer
 Role is to destroy the
universe and recreate it, paving the
way for beneficial
change.
 Destruction is not
arbitrary but
constructive.
 Seen as the source
of good and evil.
Shiva Continued
 Has a 3rd eye = represents
wisdom and insight
 Cobra necklace = power over
the dangerous creatures in
the world. Also presents
destruction and rebirth
(shedding its skin)
 Vibhuti (three white lines on
the face with white ash) =
represent his pervading
nature, superhuman power
and wealth. Cover his third
eye.
 Trident = represents the three
functions of the Hindu
triumvirate.
 Ganesh/Ganesha
 He is the Lord of
success and
destroyer of evils
and obstacles.
 He is also
worshipped as the
god of education,
knowledge, wisdom
and wealth
Ganges River #9
 Most sacred feature of the Indian
landscape.
 It’s believed that the river came down from
heaven to cleanse the earth from sin
 Purifies the soul
 It’s getting polluted, but people believe the
river will take care of itself because it’s
Holy. – reading questions link
 Website
Varanasi #8
 Most sacred city of Hindu, located
on the Ganges River
 According to Hinduism – founded by
Shiva
 Oldest, continuous center for Hindu
life
 Place of Pilgrimage –
 dying there ends the cycle of reincarnation
 National Geographic Ganges Video
IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF
HINDU BELIEFS
 Dharma
 duties and obligations, religious or social.
 Rules of a caste.
 Guide of conduct or proper path.
 Karma



Actions or deeds.
Your actions affect your future lives.
Your present life is a result of your past actions.
Reincarnated into a higher caste and close to moksha
 Your caste is a result of karma so it is inseparable from
Hinduism #15
“Big Idea” - Dharma
 The ultimate moral balance of all things. There
is a divine order to the universe and an
individual's life.
 The concept of dharma requires all people to
do their duty, depending on their status in
society. The higher the status, the higher the
expectations.
 Idea of duty above consequences. Promises
must be kept at all price.
 Dharma in all areas of life: family, social and
religious.
“Big Idea” - Karma
 Karma is the force generated by a person’s actions that
determines how the person will be reborn in the next
life. Every action has consequences. If you live a
balanced and moral life (and not disturb the Dharma)
you will be happy and move onto a higher level in your
next life.
 A person’s current status is a reflection of their past
lives. Therefore, higher status people are entitled to
more privileges because they have lived better past
lives.
 Ensures full accountability for every thought, action and
word.
“Big Idea” – Caste System
(Varnas)
 Varnas or castes - Social custom brought by the
Ayrans to India. Would become known as the caste
system (jati) – officially weren’t called castes until the
16th century by Portuguese traders
 Four main castes (although each caste is also subdivided)
 Based off the belief that hierarchy is natural and social
structure if part of the divine intention for natural order
 Also based largely on the idea of purity as related to
profession
Varnas (Castes)
 Each Varna has specific duties and rights
 Each Varna dictates professions – only
certain varnas can work in certain fields.
People cannot work outside of their
varna.
 Each Varna has its own dietary
restrictions based on the level of “purity”
of the food.
IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF
HINDU BELIEFS
 Samsara-
 reincarnation or rebirth of the soul in various
forms.
 Cycle of death and rebirth.
 What your soul is reborn into is governed by
karma.
 Moksha ending the cycle of reincarnation, Liberation
 The spiritual goal of all Hindu’s.
 Freeing the soul from the body so that the
soul can unite with Brahman.
 Samskaras rituals connected to Birth, Marriage, Death
“Big Idea” – Reincarnation
(Samsara)
 Represents the cycle of life, death and rebirth
in which a person carried his or her own
karma. Each life represents an opportunity for
balance.
 The ultimate goal in reincarnation is to be
united with Brahman (God). Hindus believe all
living beings seek to achieve this goal.
 Places an emphasis on individual spiritual
development to better attain the release from
the life and death cycle.
 Created a reverence for all forms of life.
“Big Idea” - Moksha
 Ultimate goal, state of changeless bliss.
 Achieved by living a life of complete
religious devotion and more integrity
without any interest in worldly things.
 When a person reaches Moksha, the
cycle of reincarnation ends.
Death Rituals at Varanasi
5:00 Death Rituals
How do Hindus worship? #10
 Worship Gods through their images
 Pray and give offerings at a home shrine or a
Temple
 Yoga - Meditation
 There are four different paths to achieve Moksha
which a Hindu can take.
How do Hindus worship? #10
 Yoga
 There are four different paths to achieve Moksha
which a Hindu can take.
 The Hindu can choose one or all four of the paths they are:
1. The path of knowledge - Jnana-Yoga
 Spiritual knowledge -leading to the knowledge of the relationship between the soul (atman) and
God (Brahman)
2. The path of meditation - Dhyana-yoga
 The idea is to concentrate so you can reach the real self within you and become one with
Brahman
3. The Path of Devotion - Bhakti-yoga
 Choosing a particular god or goddess and worshipping them throughout your life in actions,
words and deeds.
4. The path of good works - Karma-yoga
 This involves doing all your duties correctly throughout your life
Temple Worship
The Brihadeshwara temple, also
known as Rajarajeswaram, India's
largest temple
 Temples provide an
atmosphere
conducive for
spiritual progress
 Centers of social and
cultural activities
 Provide a place for
collective worship
and prayers
 Rat Temple Video
Galta Monkey Temple
“Big Idea” - Yoga
 Yoga means “union”
 Important part of Hindu’s
daily life as they strive
for their union with
Brahman
 Goal is to leave behind
earthy life and join
Brahman in your mind
Sacred Texts
 Hindu beliefs are recorded in the following
sacred texts and are all part of the Vedas
 Vedas – earliest Hindu scripture #7
 meaning Knowledge
 Upanishad- summation of the Vedas
 Introduced: karma, samsara and moksha.
 Focuses on the relationship between the
Brahman and atman.
 Other Sacred Texts
Sacred Texts
 Hindu beliefs are recorded in the following
sacred texts and are all part of the Vedas
 Ramayana-an epic poem, the hero is Rama.
 A scripture that offers a hero as a model
for the Hindu life.
 The moral code of conduct, social duty.
Rama with Sita on the throne, their
children Lava and Kusha on their laps.
Sacred Texts
 Hindu beliefs are recorded in the
following sacred texts and are all
part of the Vedas
 Mahabharata- the world’s longest Sanskrit
epic poem.
 Contains many basic Hindu ideas.
Its most important section is the
Bhagavad-Gita(the song of the Lord):
 conversation between Krishna and Arjuna as
Arjuna prepares to go into battle
 Dealing with struggle without concern
 Spiritual perfection
Sacred Texts Mahabharata
Manuscript illustration of the Battle of
Kurukshetra
Krishna, Arjuna at Kurukshetra,
18–19th century painting.
Sacred Texts Bhagavad-Gita
Bhagavad Gita, a 19th-century
manuscript
Illustration of the battle of Kurukshetra,
Arjuna (far right), with Krishna as the
charioteer, is battling the Kauravas as
the gods look down
Other aspects of Hindu beliefs
 Puja daily worship, offerings to the Gods.
 Guru a spiritual leader.
 Mandir a Hindu temple.
 All life is sacred The cow is considered sacred- it is the most
giving of all animals – gives more than it
takes #12
 Some Hindu’s are vegetarians Vedas: Rain is
like cow’s milk and the sun is its calf”
 Ragas sacred music to focus spiritual devotion
Om or Aum:
• most sacred syllable
• Prayers begin and end
with the sound
• Used in mediation
• Symbol on Temples
Basic values of a Hindu family #11
 Maintaining strong family ties
 Supporting members of the extended
family
 Seen as following your Dharma
Festivals/Holidays #13
 Dawali
 Festival of Lights
 Celebrates Hindu
New Year
 Lasts 5 days
 Light oil Lamps
 Website
 Holi
 spring festival of
colors
 It is primarily
observed in India and
Nepal.
 Website
Incompatibilities BETWEEN
ISLAM AND HINDUISM #16
Hinduism
Islam
 Polytheistic -worship
many gods,
 caste system
 born into the religionno idea of conversion
 Diet
 cow is sacred
 Monotheistic worship one God
 all people are seen as
equal under the eyes
of God
 dietary restrictions
 proselytizers-seek to
convert others
 Creedal – statement
of beliefs
SIKHISM #17
 is a religion that is a combination of Islam
and Hinduism.
 Monotheistic- One god, but all else more
like Hinduism.
 This new religion emerged and is an
example of cultural blending under the
Mughals/Muslims.
Sikh
 Started in 15
century, Punjab,
India
 monotheistic religion
founded by Guru
Nanak
 Three Requirements
 to live a life that
balances work,
worship and charity
Sikhs vs. Sheiks
Chic Le Freak
Website
symbol of a Sikh
soldier's
willingness to be
ready at a
moment's notice
for battle
Northwest Border
India/Pakistan
Turbans
from
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/news/nationworld/infocus/mideast/islam/turbans.html
The
Kaffiyeh
Sikh
Muslim
Leaders
Indian Men
Desert
Afghan
Iranian
Leaders
Closure: 2 Truths and a Lie
 Create two true statements about the
basic beliefs of Hinduism
AND
 Create one false statement about the
basic beliefs of Hinduism
 Place in Random order