Introductory Questions Hinduism Where did Hinduism originate Hinduism

Introductory Questions: Hinduism • Where did Hinduism originate? • Hinduism is considered a major world religion. Why do you think this is? • Is Hinduism polytheistic or monotheistic?

Basics of Hinduism • Originated in India • Dates back to 1500 BCE • • • and many consider it the oldest religion in the world Third largest religion (# of adherents) Practiced by 80% of India’s inhabitants Derivative of word Hindu is the geographical term (Sindu River or Indus Valley)

Aryans Indus Valley • 1500 BCE • 4000 – 2200 BCE • Poems and ritual • Built houses for texts called VEDAS worship (early sacred • Stone sculptures writings) and charms to • Rig Veda – the oldest ward off evil of the Sacred Texts • Fire altars & animal • Agni - worshipped sacrifices forces of nature as gods • Atman - human soul

VEDAS • Composed in Sanskrit • Vedas literally means “knowledge“ • Vedas called “Shruti” by the Hindus • RIG VEDA • Upanishads – mystical texts on human existence EPICS • Ramayana – Hindu Epic of about 24000 verses including hero story of Rama • Mahabharata and Bhagavad Gita Legal Codes • Laws of Manu

Hindu Beliefs & Deities Categorizing the religion of Hinduism is somewhat confusing: • POLYTHEISTIC= worships multiple deities: gods and goddesses • MONOTHEISTIC = it recognizes only one supreme God: the panentheistic principle of Brahman, that all reality is a unity. The entire universe is seen as one divine entity who is simultaneously at one with the universe and who transcends it as well • TRINITARIAN= Brahman is simultaneously visualized as a triad -one God with three persons: Brahma (the Creator) Vishnu (the Preserver, Shiva (the Destroyer) • HENOTHEISTIC= recognize a single deity, and recognizes other gods and goddesses as facets, forms, manifestations, or aspects of that supreme God

Brahman -is the supreme being -entity without form or quality -soul of universe -divine, invisible, unlimited Preserver Destroyer Creator Brahma (Saraswati) Shiva (Parvati) Vishnu (Lakshmi)

• Son of Shiva and Parvati • Human body and an • • elephant’s head with only one short tusk Worshipped as the remover of all obstacles Milk Miracle – Sept. 25, 1995

Vishnu has many AVATARS (incarnations)who appear on earth as humans or animals to conquer evil and establish righteousness 7 th- Rama 8 th- Krishna 9 th- Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha)

v The ultimate aim of all Hindu thoughts is to attain the universal soul or divine wisdom called Brahman v. Hindu’s believe in the freedom to individually worship and guide own spiritual experience. v. The goals of Hinduism consist of personal conduct and righteous living which equals to dharma v. Goal to achieve moksha, (liberation) from endless cycle of rebirths called Samsara and reunite atman with Brahman

• MAYA= all forms of existence are temporary and • • illusionary SAMSARA = endless cycle of reincarnation KARMA = Basic belief of cause and effect (all actions have a consequence) DHARMA =personal conduct and righteous living MOKSHA= the liberation from samsara and the uniting of ATMAN (human soul) with Brahman (ultimate soul)

– ॐ । असत म सदगमय । तमस म जय त रगमय । मतय रम मत गमय ।। – OM Asato mā sadgamaya, tamaso mā jyotirgamaya, mrityormāmritam gamaya – "OM (Lead me) from falsehood to truth, from darkness to light, from death to immortality. " • Aum (also Om, �) is the most sacred syllable in • • • Hinduism and Vedas Used in meditation and prayer as sound gives supernatural power Represents the original sound of creation To chant “om” will steady and elevate the mind

• Good luck symbol • • • representing “well being” Usually illustrated in red Used on wedding invitations, drawings Used in rituals to bring good luck and protect against evil

• 4 Paths to Salvation • 4 Stages of Life • 4 Goals of Life • Caste System • Puja • Upanayana • Vegetarianism “holy cow” • Arranged Marriages • Diwali – Festival of Lights • Ahimsa – non-violence • Yoga – philosophy and exercise together – very spiritual

• Best known Hindu in world • Fought to end discrimination • • • against Indians in South Africa Tolerant of all religions Religious ideals on duty, truth, non-violence (ahimsa) and spiritual liberation (moksha) Negotiated independence of India in 1947 Opposed social injustice of Hindu society (ie. untouchables) Assassinated in 1948