Exploring the Religions
of Our World
Chapter 5 Hinduism
Chapter 5 Hinduism
The Basics
• 95% of Hindus live in India
• Hinduism emerged as a religion, it did not
begin with a founder or particular event
• Hinduism shares no doctrinal statements
• Hindus hold that no one religion can possibly
claim knowledge of absolute truth
Chapter 5 Hinduism
Periods of Hindu
History
Pages 184-185
Chapter 5 Hinduism
History (continued)
Major developments of:
The Indus Valley Period (3000-1500 BCE)
• emphasis on ritual purity
• focus on fertility and regeneration
• the practice of meditation
• emphasis on peacefulness
Chapter 5 Hinduism
History (continued)
Major developments of:
The Brahminical Period (1500-300 BCE)
• ritual sacrifices by the Brahmins (priests)
• home ritual sacrifices
• gurus (teachers) train disciples in personal
devotion to the gods
• the gods Shiva and Vishnu gain in prominence
• rise of ascetical practices
Chapter 5 Hinduism
History (continued)
Major developments of:
The Classical Period (300-1200 CE)
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•
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•
establishment of Hindu temples
growth of home-based rituals
the Vedas become the authoritative scripture
emphasis shifts from the transcendent to the
immanent
emphasis on personal transformation
the concepts of karma and reincarnation emerge
the evolution of the caste system
Chapter 5 Hinduism
History (continued)
Jainism:
• founded by Mahavira in the sixth century
BCE
• contains elements of Hinduism and Buddhism
• practice non-violence or non-injury
Chapter 5 Hinduism
Sacred Stories and Sacred Scriptures
Shruti Scriptures (the most sacred)
1. Rig Veda - hymns to various gods
The
The
Holy
Vedas
Vedasc
2. Soma Veda - hymns chanted at
sacrifices
3. Yajur Veda - instructions for priests
regarding sacrifices
4. Atharva Veda - hymns, charms, spells
and incantations for domestic use
Chapter 5 Hinduism
Sacred Stories and Sacred Scriptures (continued)
Shruti Scriptures – also…
The
The
Upanishads
Upanishads

concerned with the cycle of
rebirth

the mystical relationship
between Brahman (Ultimate
Reality) and atmon (soul)

often shared in a dialogue
between guru and student
Chapter 5 Hinduism
Sacred Stories and Sacred Scriptures (continued)
Smriti Scriptures
Mahabharata
Mahabharata
Puranas
Puranas
a Hindu epic poem
stories of the gods:
Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva
Chapter 5 Hinduism
Beliefs and Practices
Most Hindus hold these beliefs in common:
the caste
system
millions of
gods and
goddesses
the sacredness
of life
the cycle of
rebirth
the four stages
of life
Chapter 5 Hinduism
Beliefs and Practices (continued)
Brahman
= one Ultimate Reality or Absolute Reality which:
cannot be
grasped by
the five senses
is manifested
in gods and
goddesses
is
transcendent
includes everything material
and immaterial
has no
attributes
is the lifeforce of the
universe
Chapter 5 Hinduism
Beliefs and Practices (continued)
3 primary
forms of
Brahman
1. Brahma is the Creator god
2. Vishnu is the Preserving god
3. Shiva is the Destroying god
An avatar is the incarnation of a god or goddess
e.g. Krishna and Rama
Chapter 5 Hinduism
Beliefs and Practices (continued)
Atman:
• is the “real self” (mind, body, and emotions
are “maya” or illusions)
• Hindus strive for release from maya in order
to achieve union with Brahman/atman
• Moksha (liberation) is achieved through
rigorous physical and mental discipline
Chapter 5 Hinduism
Beliefs and Practices (continued)
Samsara - the cycle of rebirth
rebirth
breaking the cycle:
 knowledge
birth
karma
death
 good deeds
 devotion
Chapter 5 Hinduism
Moksha
Beliefs and Practices (continued)
The major pursuits of life:
Artha
Dharma
one’s duties in life,
especially as dictated
by caste
pursuit of both
material and
political wealth
pursuit of liberation
from the cycle of
rebirth through
actions, thoughts,
and devotions
Kama
pursuit of artistic,
recreational, and
sensual pleasure
Chapter 5 Hinduism
Sikhism
• a blending of Hinduism and Islam
• is monotheistic
• beliefs: karma, samsara, moksha, equality
• rejects: caste system, idol worship
• signs of devotion: unshorn hair, comb, short
pants, steel bracelet, short sword
• many have a desire to found and establish
their own homeland
Chapter 5 Hinduism
Sacred Places and Sacred Spaces
temples
home shrines
many images of
gods/goddesses
many images of
gods/goddesses
Ganges River
symbol of life w/o end
ritual bathing
puja
honoring the gods
Chapter 5 Hinduism
Hinduism through a Catholic Lens
Similarities:
• toleration of religious diversity
• pursuing social issues
• honoring Jesus and his teachings
• the tradition of depicting and venerating
religious images
Chapter 5 Hinduism
Hinduism through a Catholic Lens (continued)
Differences:
• karma
• reincarnation
• the caste system
• Jesus as the one and only incarnation of God
Chapter 5 Hinduism
Vocabulary
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Brahmins
shruti
gurus
bhakti
Sanskrit
karma
caste system
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mantra
Hare Krishnas
Avatar
Brahman
transcendent
Atman
maya
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samsara
yoga
satyagraha
puja
iconoclasm
devas