Hinduism Notes
Facts
 One of the world’s ________________________- ___________ years old
 ______________________ Hindus worldwide
 Approximately _______ of Indians are Hindu
General Points
 No _______________, ____________________, ____________________,
____________________, __________________, or ____________________
 _________________________ religion: a __________ of religious practices
 Hinduism is a ______________________; _________________ tied together
 Focuses on the __________________, rather than the __________________
 Stresses the __________________of all things
 _________________ is considered sacred
Greeting
 _________________ (Namaskar)- “_______________________________”
Writings
 ____________- oldest scripture which contains prayers, hymns and rituals
 ___________________- essays on interpretation of Vedas
 ___________________- epic poem which includes ____________________
 ________________________- Krishna’s advice to Arjuna which explains the
___________________________________
 ____________________- story of ___________, Sita and Hanuman which
exemplifies _____________
Holidays
 _______________ (Deepvali)-associated with __________, _____________
__________________ that celebrate the New Year (October/November)
 ______________________ (Dasara)-dedicated to the goddess Durga,
celebrates triumph of good over evil. (September/October)
 ___________-dedicated to ______________, _________________________
that celebrates creation and renewal. (Spring)
Worship
 ___________-worship that includes:
o purification
o an offering (fruit, money, sweets)
o receipt of god’s blessing (flowers, ashes)
 Puja is done _______________ at _________, _________and in _________
 ____________________ to holy sites are popular
 The ________________________ is considered sacred
 ____________ and other animals are considered sacred
Symbols
 _____: _______________________
 ______________: ______________
 Later used by the _______________
Hinduism Notes
Facts
 One of the world’s oldest religions- 4,000 years old
 900 million Hindus worldwide
 Approximately 80% of Indians are Hindu
General Points
 No founder, single leader, strict rules, uniform beliefs, prayers, or day of
worship
 Not a unified religion: a variety of religious practices
 Hinduism is a way of life; beliefs and life tied together
 Focuses on the spiritual, rather than the material
 Stresses the oneness of all things
 All life is considered sacred
Greeting
 Namaste (Namaskar)- “I bow to the god in you”
Writings
 Vedas- oldest scripture which contains prayers, hymns and rituals
 Upanishads- essays on interpretation of Vedas
 Mahabharata- epic poem which includes Bhagavad Gita
 Bhagavad Gita- Krishna’s advice to Arjuna which explains the basic ideas of
Hinduism
 Ramayana- story of Rama, Sita and Hanuman which exemplifies dharma
Holidays
 Diwali (Deepvali)-associated with Rama, festival of lights that celebrate the
New Year (October/November)
 Durga Puja (Dasara)-dedicated to the goddess Durga, celebrates triumph of
good over evil. (September/October)
 Holi-dedicated to Krishna, festival of colors that celebrates creation and
renewal. (Spring)
Worship
 Puja-worship that includes:
o purification
o an offering (fruit, money, sweets)
o receipt of god’s blessing (flowers, ashes)
 Puja is done individually at home, temples and in nature
 Pilgrimages to holy sites are popular
 The Ganges River is considered sacred
 Cows and other animals are considered sacred
Symbols
 Om: sound of the universe
 Swastika: good luck
 Later used by the Nazis