Hinduism
Shama Mehta
June 5, 2014
What is Hinduism?
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More correctly called by its Sanskrit
name: Sanatana Dharma
the oldest living religion in the world
the world’s third largest religion;
with almost a billion followers
as no single founder, no one
scripture, no single set of teachings,
no unified code of conduct, no central
governing body.
2.5 Million Hindus in the US [according
to the PEW forum]
Hindu Beliefs
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Believe in a one, all-pervasive
Supreme Being who is both
immanent and transcendent, both
Creator and Unmanifest Reality.
Believe that the universe
undergoes endless cycles of
creation, preservation and
dissolution.
Believe in karma, the law of
cause and effect by which each
individual creates his own destiny
by his thoughts, words and deeds
Hindus respect the fact that each
has its own pathway to the one
God.
Beliefs : Ahimsa - Non-Violence
Ahimsa is abstaining from causing hurt or
harm; whether physical, mental or
emotional.
Condemn killing, but extended to harm
caused by one's thoughts, words and
deeds of all kinds--including injury to
the natural environment. Even the intent
to injure, even violence committed in a
dream, is a violation of the principle of
ahimsa.
Reason most Hindus are vegetarian or
vegan
Beliefs about Afterlife - Reincarnation
Hindus believe in reincarnation
Believe the soul is immortal and
takes birth time and time again.
Through this process, we have
experiences, learn lessons and
evolve spiritually.
Finally we graduate from physical
birth.
Beliefs about Afterlife - Karma
Hinduism believes that the soul is
immortal, that it never dies, but
inhabits one body after another on
the Earth during its evolutionary
journey.
The process of action and reaction on
all levels—physical, mental and
spiritual—is karma.
Like the caterpillar's transformation
into a butterfly, physical death is a
most natural transition for the soul,
which survives and, guided by
karma, continues its long
pilgrimage until it is one with God.
Other Beliefs affecting Health Care
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Cleanliness – bathing
Prayer ritual – at least 2 times a
day [sunrise and sunset]
Vegetarianism
Natural treatments – Ayurveda,
homeopathy
Death and Dying
Hindus regard death as a most
exalted human experience, the
migration of the soul from one
dimension of consciousness to
another, a transition we have all
experienced many times.
Death is not to be feared, neither
unnecessarily accelerated nor
relentlessly delayed.
The beliefs of Karma and
Reincarnation are amplified
during the time of death
When Death is Imminent
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Water from holy river Ganga should be
sprinkled on the body of the person
and/or poured into the mouth of the
person
Chant the names of God in or near the
right ear of the person, if possible
according to the family tradition or the
wish of the dying person.
One may also wish to read the 7th,12th
and 15th chapter of Bhagavad Gita.
An oil lamp is lit and is kept burning
until after death. In a hospital setting,
this could be a battery-operated candle.
Death and Dying
Hindus do not leave the
preparation of the body for
disposal to professionals who
are unconnected to the
deceased.
The family prepares the body for
cremation by bathing, putting
on new clothing for the
deceased. They also stays with
the loved one until the body is
cremated
The southern direction represents
mortality and death and so the
body is placed with its head
towards the south
Hindu Antyeshti Samskara
What follows after death are rites
and rituals that are carried out by
the immediate family members.
These rituals called Antyeshti
Samskara that last 13 days.
On the 13th day, the individual soul
of the deceased is believed to
have completely severed earthly
relationships.
Thank you!