1. Comparative Religion: Hinduism

2. Hindusim World’s third largest religion
Behind Christianity and Islam
Possibly world’s oldest organized religion
Roughly 3000 years old
Began in the Indus River valley (India)

3. Beliefs
Hindus recognize one god, Brahma, as the origin and creator of all things
There are many gods in Hinduism, but they are all Brahma
Three major gods
Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva

4. Beliefs Brahma is not worshipped, because his job as creator is done
Hindus are classified according to which Brahman (god) they worship
Worshippers of Vishnu
Worshippers of Shiva
Worshippers of the Mother Goddess (Mahadevi)

5. Vishnu Considered by his worshippers to be the greatest of gods
Preserves and protects the universe
Has appeared on earth many times to protect it from disaster
Avatar: Incarnation of gods on earth
Among these avatars is Siddartha (The Buddha)

6. Shiva Is considered everything by his worshippers
Creator, sustainer, and destroyer
Without destruction, there can be no creation
Source of both good and evil in the world

7. The Mother Goddess Consort (Spouse) of the male deities
Encompasses thousands of goddesses
Symbol of fertility and female energy
Counteracts Shiva’s masculinity

8. The Cycle of Life Souls pass through a series of lives
Each incarnation depends on how you lived your previous life
Karma

9. Karma People build up good and bad karma in life
Karma affects their future lives
Death is the last cycle of each life
Must be treated with respect
The goal is to overcome desire and ignorance
The cycle will end

10. The Vedas Vedas: Hindu scriptures
Define the rites and beliefs of the religion

11. The Caste System There are four major castes
You are born into your social group, and cannot escape it
India has sought to outlaw the caste, but it still exists in many parts of the country