THE BEGINNINGS OF HINDUISM SECTION 2 TEXTBOOK PAGES

THE BEGINNINGS OF HINDUISM SECTION 2 TEXTBOOK PAGES 101 -105

How did Hinduism begin? RHinduism is a polytheist religion and the world’s oldest living religion. RHinduism developed over 3, 500 years and absorbed beliefs from other religions. RIt is still the religion of modern India.

What are the Hindu gods and goddesses like? RThe Hindu gods and goddesses stand for different parts of the single spirit. RThe gods can take different forms, both human & animal. RThe most important gods are Brahma, the Creator……. . .

Gods and Goddesses

Gods & goddesses cont’d. . R…. . Vishnu, the Preserver and Shiva, the Destroyer. REach god is part of an allpowerful force called brahman. Hindu gods also have their own families.

Who are the most important gods & goddesses? RBrahma is the creator. Created the earth and everything on it. RNot as widely worshipped as the other gods.

BRAHMATHE CREATOR

Gods & Goddesses cont’d. . RShiva is the Destroyer (The Universe). RDeveloped from the God, Rudra, the wielder of the Thunderbolt.

SHIVATHE DESTROYER

Gods & Goddesses con’t… RVishnu is the Preserver. RA kindly God concerned with human welfare. RVisits earth to protect humans from disaster or to guide them.

VISHNUTHE PERSERVER

What are the Basic Beliefs of Hinduism? RHindu beliefs are contained in religious writings or sacred texts. RThe Upanishads is in the form of questions by pupils and responses by teachers.

Basic beliefs continued…. RTeachers would explain brahman as a force too complicated for humans to understand.

What is the Upanishads? RUpanishad are Hindu religious texts. RIt means “Sitting Near A Teacher. ”

What is Reincarnation? RReincarnation is a belief in the Upanishads. RReincarnation is the rebirth of the soul. The Hindus believe that a person may die, but the soul is reborn in the body of another living thing.

What are the Hindu duties? RA person must obey his or her Dharma or the religious and moral duties of each person. RBy obeying Dharma, a person comes closer to Brahman.

What is Ahimsa? RAn important idea of Hinduism is Ahimsa or nonviolence. RAll things must be treated with respect (as not eating meat) RAll people are part of Brahman and should be treated with respect.

What are paths to truth? RFollowers worship in different ways. ROne Hindu may present gifts to a personal God. ROthers hope of Brahman by reading sacred writings.

THE END