Hinduism
Approximately 4000 years old,
Hinduism is considered one of
the oldest religions in the world
The World’s Hindu population
lives mostly in India
Hinduism is an entire way of life
It effects what you do, how you
dress, what you eat, what job you
hold, etc.
 There is no holy book
 Multiple writings and stories
provide its ethics and
beliefs
There is no dogma (a set code of
beliefs and ethics)
No weekly day of worship
(Sabbath)
All life is sacred. As a result, many
Hindu people are vegetarians
The cow is sacred
Water is sacred
The Universal Spirit
All living things have a spirit or
energy, called atman, which are
part of Brahmin (Universal Spirit(.
These energies are all part of
Brahmin, or the Universal Spirit.
There are numerous gods and
goddesses which are all part of
one Universal Spirit
Cycles
 Everything is cyclic (a circle)
 Creation, maintenance, and
destruction
 Reincarnation – rebirth of the
soul into a new living body (not
necessarily human)
Hindu people cremate their
deceased in a funeral pyre to
release the spirit
Dharma
Dharma determines all processes
in the universe, including the
individual. It is your duty (what
you are supposed to do) during
this lifetime and is the basis of
human morality and ethics.
Karma
Karma is the
physical or
spiritual action,
or lack of action,
which causes an
impact on your
next life.
Fate
Hinduism
believes that
the course of
one’s life is
predetermined.
What’s up with this?
The Swastika
symbolizes Peace and
Harmony
 “Swastika" comes from
the Sanskrit svastika "su" meaning "good,"
"asti" meaning "to be,"
and "ka" as a suffix.
 four dots inside each of the four
arms. always drawn with the four
inner arms like a “t”
 Until the Nazis used this symbol, the
swastika was used by many cultures
throughout the past 3,000 years to
represent life, sun, power, strength, and
good luck.