Hinduism 101
Global Studies
Basic History
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One of the oldest recorded
religions (5000 or more
years old)
No true date of origin
No specific founder
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It is the third largest
religion with approximately
940 million followers
worldwide, 96% of whom
live in the Indian
subcontinent.
In the US alone, 3 million
people follow some form
of Hinduism
Where ? How?
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Hinduism emerged when
Indo-Aryan tribes attacked
and conquered the
Harappan people of the
Indus River valley (modern
day India.)
The Indo-Aryans created
a caste system that
controlled the original
people and both culture’s
religious beliefs merged to
create what is today
known as Hinduism.
The vast
majority of
Hindus live
in India and
Nepal
Hindu Beliefs
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believe in one God who is
infinite and believe that
God’s manifestations are
everywhere. (a
monotheistic religion?)
The most traditional form
of Avatar within Hinduism
is the incarnations of
Vishnu, the preserver or
sustainer aspect of God
within the Hindu Trinity.
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Because it is impossible
for people to comprehend
this, God has various
representations
(incarnations called
avatars) to help people to
visualize this.
The Hindu Trimurti( or Trinity)
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Brahma – The Creator
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Vishnu – The Sustainer or Preserver
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Shiva (Siva) – The Destroyer
Brahma
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Brahmā is traditionally depicted with four heads
and four faces and four arms.
Each head recites one of four Vedas (sacred texts
of Hinduism)
Four arms hold:
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Septor or spoon for oil (representing sacrifices)
Water pot or shell (representing life force of water)
String of beads (represents passing of time)
Vedas or lotus blossom
Vishnu
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Is always the color of the clouds (blue) with
four arms:
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One arm holds a chakra (disk like weapon with
sharp edges)
One arm holds a lotus blossom
One arm holds a conch shell
One arm holds a gada (mace)
Shiva
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Usually represented
as deep in meditation
Can change the world
for good or for bad
Carries a trident,
representing the three
Gunas (pleasure, pain,
and indifference)
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Most often shown with
snakes representing
his power over death
and poisons.
The Ganges River
Falling from
Its source of
Vishnu’s feet
onto Shiva’s
head and out
from his hair,
the water of
the Ganges is
sacred enough
to purify all
sins.
Holy Cow!
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Hindus have always
had great respect for
Mother Nature and its
creatures
Cow is especially
significant because it
symbolizes
gentleness
Cycles of Creation
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A continuous cycle
represented by Hindu
Gods Vishnu, Brahma,
and Siva and their
shaktis (wives.)
Creation
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At the beginning there
is nothing but a large
ocean.
Vishnu sleeps on a
serpent as he swims.
Vishnu’s wife
(lakshmi) strokes his
legs as he rests.
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Thus stimulates him to
dream the universe
into existence.
Views on life in Hinduism
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Karma – the
transmigration of the
soul. All people are
part of a cycle of birth
and rebirth, with no
end.
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The only way to
release the soul from
Karma is to achieve
moksha, or perfect
enlightenment.
People who have
achieved perfect
enlightenment are
known as yogis.
Samsara
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The belief that life forms evolve from
experiences in life. Good actions = good
experiences in rebirth. Bad actions = bad
experiences in rebirth.
Rebirth can be human or animal form.
Reincarnation
Samsara is the wheel of rebirth which means the soul is
reborn from one life form to another.
People may be reincarnated at a higher or lower level of
existence depending on their karma from their present life.
People may be reborn as plants or animals or they may be
elevated to a higher caste as a human.
Death is not final for Hindus as they expect to be reborn
many times.
Yoga
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Hinduism is practiced
through a variety of
spiritual practices
called Yogas
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Bhakti-loving devotion
and service
Karma- selfless
service
Raja- meditation and
exercise
Jnana (pronounced gyann) –
knowledge and
wisdom
Life under Hinduism- The Caste
System
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Prescribed in the
Vedas as an accurate
way to sort individuals
into different levels of
importance. It also
indicates one’s life
rank.
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Unofficially used to
abuse people of the
lowest status. This
group known as the
untouchables are to
be ignored by other
caste levels and do
the work that no one
else wants to do.
The Caste System Varnas (layers):
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Brahmin – Education and Knowledge
(Priests and Religious Teachers)
Kshatriya – Military and Defense (soldiers
and warrior kings)
Vaishya – Economics and Business
(merchants and farmers)
Shudras – workforce (laborers)
Harijahns – The Untouchables
Varna (Social Hierarchy)
Brahmins
Kshatriyas
Vaishyas
Shudras
Pariahs [Harijan]  Untouchables
The caste system is currently illegal in
India, but it is still practiced in the
shadows by people.
Temple Worship
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Temples provide an
atmosphere
conducive for spiritual
progress
Centers of social and
cultural activities
Provide a place for
collective worship and
prayers
Symbolism in Hinduism