The Worlds Oldest Religion Hinduism Symbol The Sacred

The World’s Oldest Religion Hinduism Symbol – The Sacred Om Used often in their prayers Consists of three sounds (ah-oo-m) These sounds represent the earth, air and heaven. They refer to the three main gods Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Finally the sounds represent the collections of the Vedas.

Hindu Fast Facts date founded Earliest forms date to 1500 BC or earlier place founded India founder none adherents 900 million size rank third largest in the world main location India, also United Kingdom and United States spiritual leader guru or sage place of worship temple or home shrine human nature in bondage to ignorance and illusion, but able to escape purpose of life to attain liberation (moksa) from the cycle of reincarnation how to live order life according to the dharma afterlife if karma unresolved, soul is born into a new body (reincarnation); if karma resolved, attain moksa (liberation)

Aum, or Om Seen as the sound of the universe Brahman: Brahman is the all-powerful spiritual force of Hinduism. Hindus believe that Brahman is too complex for people to understand so it is divided into the many different gods and goddesses of Hinduism to simplify it. Because of this Hinduism is often seen as Polytheistic, but some argue that it is not because all of the gods are part of the one universal god. Atman: The individual soul of a human being. Brahman: The world soul that contains and united all Atmans.

• Leadership – Guru, Holy Man, Brahmin priest • Sacred texts – Vedas – oldest of Hindu scriptures • Older than the sacred writings of any other major religion • Contain prayers and hymns • 3 Main Beliefs – The soul never dies, but is continually reborn (reincarnation) – Persons achieve happiness and enlightenment after they free themselves from their earthly desires – Freedom from earthly desires comes from a lifetime of worship, knowledge, and virtuous acts

• It spread by tradition (oral and written) • Never spreads out of India – evangelically – no attempts at conversion • Rituals - Ganges River – considered a sacred site, most Hindus make a pilgrimage to the Ganges to bathe and drink the water. They believe that it will cleanse and purify them. The sick and disabled believe that it will cure them. • Death – cremation and ashes thrown into the Ganges. Assures them an entry into paradise.

Three main Gods: Brahma – the Creator From the standpoint of an individual, Brahma symbolizes one's own mind and intellect. Since an individual is naturally gifted with the mind and intellect, he or she may be said to have already realized Brahma. For this reason the worship of Brahma is not very popular among all Hindus. He is, however, worshipped by seekers of knowledge, such as students, teachers, scholars and scientists.

Shiva – The Destroyer Shiva is one of the three main forms of Brahman, the Supreme Spirit or Power of the universe. In this role Shiva represents the power of destruction. But as the old has to be destroyed to give rise to the new, he is also seen by his followers as the lord of creation. The greatest of the Hindu deities. Shiva has over 100 names. Shiva is the destroyer of our illusion and ignorance that stands in the way of our perfect union and enlightenment.

Vishnu – The Protector It is believed that Vishnu pervades the universe by descending to earth in different forms when the forces of evil threaten to overcome the forces of good.

Moksha: The ultimate goal of Hinduism. To achieve Shanti, or ultimate peace. To be released from the cycle of death and rebirth. Karma All of the actions in this life that affect your next life. Has nothing to do with revenge or retribution Moksha Dharma Union with Brahman Your Duty - The rules you must follow to earn good Karma. Release from Samsara Being stuck in the cycle of death and rebirth. Suffering

Hindu Worship • Majority of the worship is done at home. Usually an area of the home has a shrine (puja) dedicated to an important god or goddess. • The image itself is not worshipped – Believe that the gods themselves inhabit the images

The Caste System is a system of social division in India. There is some debate as to its origins, but it is made up of four main castes and several sub-castes. You are born into a caste and may not change your caste within your lifetime. Brahmins The top caste, the priests. They are the closest to Brahman Kshatryias Second Caste, the warriors and princes Vaishya Merchants, artisans and landowners (Skilled workers) Under the Indian Constitution (1951) caste discrimination and the practice of untouchability were made a criminal offense. It is still in practice in India today. Shudra The workers, the lowest caste. (unskilled workers) Each caste has its own Dharma, or duty. You must obey the Dharma of your caste to earn good Karma and be able to be reincarnated at a higher caste in the next life.

Cow-Related Practices The cow remains a protected animal in Hinduism today, and Hindus do not eat beef. Most rural Indian families have at least one dairy cow, a gentle spirit who is often treated as a member of the family. The five products of the cow — milk, curds, ghee butter, urine and dung — are all used in worship as well as in rites of extreme penance. The milk of the family cow nourishes children as they grow up, and cow dung is a major source of energy for households throughout India. Cow dung is sometimes among the materials used for a tilak - a ritual mark on the forehead. Most Indians do not share the western revulsion at cow excrement, but instead consider it an earthy and useful natural product. Despite their sacred status, cows don't seem very appreciated in India. Visitors are often surprised to see them walking neglected around city streets, living on garbage from the gutters. But the cow is honored at least once a year, on Gopastami. On this "Cow Holiday, " cows are washed and decorated in the temple and given offerings in the hope that their gifts of life will continue.

Suttee (Sati) 1826 1951 Indian practice whereby a widow burns herself to death either on the funeral pyre of her husband or soon after his death. The custom may be rooted in ancient beliefs that a husband needed his companions in the afterlife, though opponents point to it as an indication of a value system deeply hostile to women. Developed by the 4 th century BC, it became widespread in the 17 th – 18 th centuries but was banned in British India in 1829. Frequent instances of suttee continued to occur for many years thereafter, and occasional instances in remote areas are still reported today.

Siddhartha Gautama The Buddha, began his life as a prince in India. Birth: Was born into the wealthy warrior caste. It is believed that before his birth his mother had a dream of an elephant piercing her side with its tusk. This was interpreted to mean that he would be a great leader or a wandering holy man. Childhood His mother died shortly after his birth. His father lavished him with wealth so he would never want to leave the palace. He was completely sheltered from the outside world.

Dominant religion of Asia

Buddhism Fast Facts Meaning of name "Buddhism": System taught by the Buddha Date founded: c. 520 BCE Place founded: Northeastern India Founder: Siddhartha Gautama ("the Buddha"), an Indian prince Adherents: 360 million Size rank: Fourth largest world religion Main locations: China, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia Major divisions: Theravada, Mahayana Sacred texts: Pali Canon Original language: Pali Spiritual leader: Monk (lama in Tibetan Buddhism) Place of ritual: Temple, meditation hall Theism: Varies: Theravada is atheistic; Mahayana is more polytheistic. Ultimate reality: None. Nothing is permanent. Human nature: There is no self or soul Purpose of life: Theravada - escape the cycle of rebirth, and attain nirvana. Mahayana - Become a boddhisatva then help others attain enlightenment. Afterlife: Rebirth or nirvana. Nirvana is seen simply as the cessation of suffering by some and as a heavenly paradise by others

The Three Visions Siddhartha grew up never knowing much about the outside world. He married young and had a son. When he was in his 20’s he went outside the palace and experienced three visions which changed his life. 1. He saw someone in advanced old age. 2. He saw a very sick person. 3. He saw a dead body. Siddhartha had never before been aware of human suffering. He felt his life was a lie and abandoned it to become an ascetic, or wandering holy man in an attempt to find a way to end human suffering.

Seeking Truth Siddhartha tried many different ways of achieving enlightenment. He tried meditation, fasting, physical discomfort, but none along worked for him. He almost starved himself to death at one point. After that he knew he needed to try something different. Enlightenment Siddhartha decided that he would meditate until he discovered the way to end human suffering. Bodhi Tree: He sat under a Bodhi tree and said that he would not get up until he had achieved enlightenment. He meditated for 40 days amidst temptation, and at the end said that he was “awake, ” he had achieved, Nirvana, or Enlightenment. This is when he became the Buddha, or “Enlightened One. ”

Teachings of the Buddha The Buddha gave his first sermon in the deer park where he taught the four main ideas of his teachings. Four Noble Truths 1. All life is full of suffering 2. We suffer because we desire things that are illusions. We want material possessions. 3. The way to not suffer is to overcome our desire 4. To do that one must follow the Eightfold path, or Middle Way

The Eightfold Path (The Middle Way) 1. Right view One must understand the four noble truths. 2. Right intention Know what you really want 3. Right speech Speak truth and speak well of others. 4. Right action Do not kill, steal, lie, be unchaste, or take drugs or alcohol. 5. Right livelihood Don’t do a job that harms others. 6. Right effort Do your best, always 7. Right mindfulness Keep control of yourself and your urges. 8. Right concentration One must meditate to understand the world.

Core beliefs of Buddhism, like most of the great religions of the world, is divided into a number of different traditions. However, most traditions share a common set of fundamental beliefs. One fundamental belief of Buddhism is often referred to as reincarnation -- the concept that people are reborn after dying. In fact, most individuals go through many cycles of birth, living, death and rebirth. A practicing Buddhist differentiates between the concepts of rebirth and reincarnation. In reincarnation, the individual may recur repeatedly. In rebirth, a person does not necessarily return to Earth as the same entity ever again. He compares it to a leaf growing on a tree. When the withering leaf falls off, a new leaf will eventually replace it. It is similar to the old leaf, but it is not identical to the original leaf. After many such cycles, if a person releases their attachment to desire and the self, they can attain Nirvana. This is a state of liberation and freedom from suffering.

Spread of Buddhism Convents and Monasteries: The Buddha had many followers, both men and women. He did not discriminate based on gender. Death of the Buddha: He died of food poisoning at the home of a friend. Scriptures: His teachings were collected in the Tripitika, or Three Baskets of Wisdom. Teachings Caste System: The Buddha rejected the caste system. He said all people were capable of achieving enlightenment in one lifetime. Although not everyone did, so Buddhism does believe in reincarnation. Ahinsa: Taught non-violence, same as Hinduism Meditation: Taught that one should meditate. Yoga and Martial arts are seen as a form of meditation.