HINDUISM Definition The term Hindu itself probably does

HINDUISM

Definition • The term 'Hindu' itself probably does not go back before the 15 th and 16 th centuries when it was used by people to differentiate themselves from followers of other traditions. The 'ism' was added to 'Hindu' only in the 19 th century in the context of British colonialism and missionary activity.

• Hinduism is the religion of the majority of people in India and Nepal. It also exists among significant populations outside of the sub continent and has over 900 million adherents worldwide which makes it the world's third largest religion

• Unlike most other religions, Hinduism has no single founder, no single scripture, and no commonly agreed set of teachings. Throughout its extensive history, there have been many key figures teaching different philosophies and writing numerous holy books. Hindu devotees participate in a candlelight prayer during the ritual known as Aarti , within the Navratri Festival , in the city of Ahmedabad in western India.

• Although it is not easy to define Hinduism, we can say that it is rooted in India, most Hindus revere a body of texts as sacred scripture known as the Veda, and most Hindus draw on a common system of values known as dharma.

Hindu scriptures • The Two types of sacred writings comprise the Hindu scriptures: "Shruti" (heard) and "Smriti" (memorized). They were passed on from generation to generation orally for centuries before they were written down mostly in the Sanskrit language.

Sacred texts • The primary sacred texts of Hinduism are the Vedas: the Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda and Atharva Veda. • Hindus believe that the Vedas texts were received by scholars direct from God and passed on to the next generations by word of mouth.

• The Samhitas are the most ancient part of the Vedas, consisting of hymns of praise to God. • The Brahmanas are rituals and prayers to guide the priests in their duties. • The Aranyakas concern worship and meditation. • The Upanishads consist of the mystical and philosophical teachings of Hinduism.

Deities • The most fundamental of Hindu deities is the Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva - creator, preserver and destroyer respectively. Hindus also worship spirits, trees, animals and even planets.

Brahma • Is the first god in the Hindu triumvirate, his job was the creation of the world and all creatures. His name should not be confused with Brahman, who is the supreme God force present within all things. Brahma has four heads and it is believed that from these heads came the four Vedas

Shiva • Is the third god in the Hindu triumvirate, his role is to destroy the universe in order to re-create it. Shiva is known to have untamed passion, which leads him to extremes in behaviour

Vishnu • Is the second god in the Hindu triumvirate, he is the preserver and protector of the universe. His role is to return to the earth in troubled times and restore the balance of good and evil.

STORY • In a corner of the infinite spiritual universe there is a ocean of material cause. There is the largest of the forms or avatars of Vishnu god: Maha Vishnu, who is lying on that ocean. His immense body releases each material universe. Each spherical universe is filled with liquid halfway.

STORY • On the ocean is another form of Vishnu , Garbhodaka -Sai Vishnu lying on the uterine ocean desing, and above Ananta Shesha. a lake forms in her navel, and above it a lotus flower grows, from it god Brahma is born with four heads. Brahma with his mind creates the world : the earth and all places, planets, stars, visible and invisible in heaven, where the gods and other beings live.

Hinduism differs from Christianity and other monotheistic religions in that it does not have: • • • A single founder An specific theological system A single concept of deity A single holy text A single system of morality A central religious authority

• http: //www. innovationslearning. co. uk/subjects/re/information/creatio n/hindu_creation. htm • http: //www. bbc. co. uk/religions/hinduism/ • http: //hinduism. about. com/od/basics/p/hinduismbasics. htm