Hinduism
One God, or Many?
The Origins
The Clashing of Cultures
• From 2 groups of
people emerged
ONE DIVERSE
RELIGION
The Clashing of Cultures
• Indus Valley:
• Written language
• Agriculture, industry
& trade
• Planned cities
• Underground sewage system
The Clashing of Cultures
• Indo-Aryan:
• Male dominated nomadic tribes
• Herded animals
• Warriors
• No cities
• No written language
From the CLASH of THESE
TWO CULTURES CAME:
• Religious Writings
• Distinct Social
Structure; the
CASTE system
• Hinduism
Religious
Texts
Religious Writings
• The VEDAS:
• “Books of
Knowledge”
• Oral Tradition;
songs & prayers of the IndoAryans
Religious Writings
• The Mahabharata:
• The story of a great war; includes
Hindu mythology & philosophy
• Focuses on Hindu culture &
society
Religious Writings
• The Ramayana:
• Story of a prince;
wife abducted by a
demon
• Allegorical &
religious meaning
• Dharma
Many Gods – Or One?
• Brahman:
• The allpowerful
spiritual
force
Hindu Gods
Many Gods – Or One?
• Hindus believed that Brahman
was too complex a concept for
humans to understand;
worshipped gods & goddesses
who served as links to Brahman
Many Gods – Or One?
• 3 MAIN GODS:
• Brahma
• Vishnu
• Shiva
Hindu
Gods
Brahman
One Divine
Essence
Unity
+ millions
of other
gods
Gods - Many manifestations of
Brahman
Brahma
The
Creator
Shiva
The
Destroyer
Vishnu
The
Preserver
Hindu Beliefs
Major Hindu Beliefs
• Reincarnation:
• The cycle of rebirth
• Atman:
• The spirit that travels from birth
to rebirth
Major Hindu Beliefs
• Karma:
• Every action is punished or
rewarded
• Dharma:
• One’s moral duty in life; varies
according to caste, gender, etc.
Major Hindu Beliefs
• Ahimsa:
• Non-violence & respect for life
• Moksha:
• Release from the pain & suffering
associated with rebirth
Major Hindu Beliefs
• Ultimate goal
of Hinduism;
escape the cycle
of rebirth &
achieve UNION
with Brahman