HINDUISM
BACKGROUND
• Third-largest religion after Christianity and
Islam
• Originated in India
• Main religion in India
• Sacred texts: the Four Vedas (contain
hymns, incantations, and rituals from
ancient India)
• Myths and epics: Ramayana and
Mahabharata
Hinduism: polytheistic or
monotheistic?
- Worships many gods and goddesses
- One supreme God: Brahma (other gods
and goddesses as facets, forms,
manifestations, or aspects of that supreme
God => henotheistic)
BELIEFS
• reincarnation (samsara): endless cycle of
birth (Brahma), death (Vishnu), rebirth
(Shiva) (the cycle is repeated over and
over again until one reaches moksha)
• karma: material actions resulting from the
consequences of previous actions
=> religious justification for the caste system
• personal duty (dharma)
HINDU WAY OF LIFE
• Moksha - the release of the soul (Atman) from the cycle
of rebirth.
The individual soul (Atman) unites with Brahman the
universal soul. There are different ways to Moksha.
spiritual - involves acquiring spiritual knowledge through
yoga and meditation. devotion to god
working selflessly for the good of society.
How a person is reincarnated is determined by karma.
• Dharma - the code for leading one's life.
Respect for elders is considered important and many
consider marriage as a son's religious duty.
• Artha - the pursuit of material gain by lawful means.
• Karma- through pure acts, knowledge and devotion, you
can reincarnate to a higher level. The opposite achieves
the contrary result.
THE SYMBOL OF “AUM”/ “OM”
- Intonation that transcends barriers of age,
race, culture and even species
- The basic sound of the world containing all
other sounds
- The mantra (prayer) in itself
- Can penetrate to the center of one’s being,
the atman (soul)
"The goal which all the Vedas
declare, which all austerities
aim at, and which men desire
when they lead the life of
continence … is Om. This
syllable Om is indeed
Brahman. Whosoever knows
this syllable obtains all that he
desires. This is the best
support; this is the highest
support. Whosoever knows
this support is adored in the
world of Brahma."
~ Katha Upanishad I
PRACTICES
- seek awareness of God
- Puja (worship/veneration) at home or in a
temple
- Yoga (methods to reach Samsara)
- Diwali (festivals of lights/ celebrate the
New Year)
DIWALI
HINDU GODS
Brahma: the Creator
Vishnu: the Preserver
Shiva : the Destroyer
Saraswathi: wife of
Brahma/ Goddess of
music, knowledge
and art
Laksmi: Wife of Vishnu,
Goddess of light,
beauty, good fortune
and wealth
Ganesha: son of Shiva
and Parvati
Hindu home shrine
THE CASTE SYSTEM