1. HINDUISM

2. Origins of Hinduism: The Indus Valley Civilization Hinduism, unlike most major religions, does not have one person who is considered a “founder.” Instead, its roots are with the people of the Indus River valley who lived 5000 years ago. Hinduism, unlike most major religions, does not have one person who is considered a “founder.” Instead, its roots are with the people of the Indus River valley who lived 5000 years ago.

3. Origins of Hinduism: The Indus Valley Civilization Many early Indus practices and beliefs shape Hinduism : Cleanliness & bathing Agriculture Water is sacred Many early Indus practices and beliefs shape Hinduism : Cleanliness & bathing Agriculture Water is sacred

4. Origins of Hinduism: The Aryan Invasion The Aryan tribes were powerful and conquered all they came into contact with. They had a very different belief system and way of life from the Indus people. The Aryan tribes were powerful and conquered all they came into contact with. They had a very different belief system and way of life from the Indus people.

5. Origins of Hinduism: The Aryan Invasion The Aryans were not agricultural –they were warlike They worshipped only male gods Over time, the Indus and Aryan religious beliefs and practices mixed together The Aryans were not agricultural –they were warlike They worshipped only male gods Over time, the Indus and Aryan religious beliefs and practices mixed together

6. Origins of Hinduism: The Vedas The Vedas are one of the sacred texts of Hinduism. For centuries, they were passed down orally until the Aryans transcribed them into Sanskrit, the sacred Hindu language. The Vedas are one of the sacred texts of Hinduism. For centuries, they were passed down orally until the Aryans transcribed them into Sanskrit, the sacred Hindu language.

7. Hindu Deities: The Hindu Trinity Hinduism is a polytheistic religion. What does that mean? Hinduism is a polytheistic religion. What does that mean?

8. Hindu Deities: The Hindu Trinity The Vedas introduce 3 main Hindu gods: Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva Although each deity has his own characteristics, many Hindus believe they represent three properties of one god. The Vedas introduce 3 main Hindu gods: Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva Although each deity has his own characteristics, many Hindus believe they represent three properties of one god.

9. Hindu Deities Brahma: The Creator Many Hindus believe that all other gods originate from Brahma. He has four faces that look to the four corners of the universe. He holds the Vedas, a jar of holy water from the Ganges River, and a necklace of prayer beads He sits on a lotus throne Many Hindus believe that all other gods originate from Brahma. He has four faces that look to the four corners of the universe. He holds the Vedas, a jar of holy water from the Ganges River, and a necklace of prayer beads He sits on a lotus throne

10. Hindu Deities Vishnu: The Preserver Vishnu’s role is to keep a balance between good and evil in the universe. To do this, he returns to earth in different forms, both animal and human, called avatars. Tradition says Vishnu has had 10 avatars, but the two most beloved are Rama and Krishna Vishnu’s role is to keep a balance between good and evil in the universe. To do this, he returns to earth in different forms, both animal and human, called avatars. Tradition says Vishnu has had 10 avatars, but the two most beloved are Rama and Krishna Rama Krishna

11. Hindu Deities Shiva: The Destroyer Shiva is worshipped as the destroyer or purifier. He dances in a halo of fire, representing the cycle of birth and death. He is crushing the demon of ignorance He holds a drum in one hand and the flame of destruction, purification, and renewal in the other Shiva wears snakes to symbolize his power over evil forces. Shiva is worshipped as the destroyer or purifier. He dances in a halo of fire, representing the cycle of birth and death. He is crushing the demon of ignorance He holds a drum in one hand and the flame of destruction, purification, and renewal in the other Shiva wears snakes to symbolize his power over evil forces.

12. Hindu Deities: Hindu Goddesses Lakshmi (goddess of wealth) Durga (universal mother) Sarasvati (goddess of learning and arts) Lakshmi (goddess of wealth) Durga (universal mother) Sarasvati (goddess of learning and arts)

13. Hindu Deities: Kali Durga, like many Hindu deities, takes many forms. One of her most popular and feared manifestations is Kali: Goddess of Destruction

14. Hindu Deities: The Ramayana The epic poem, Ramayana, tells the story of the life of Rama, a Prince and the 7th incarnation of Vishnu. It is one of the most celebrated stories in all of Hinduism. It is often retold and performed around the world. The epic poem, Ramayana, tells the story of the life of Rama, a Prince and the 7th incarnation of Vishnu. It is one of the most celebrated stories in all of Hinduism. It is often retold and performed around the world.

15. Hindu Beliefs: Dharma Dharma stands for the ultimate moral balance of all things. The universe has a divine order, but there is also order within one’s personal life. Each person has the responsibility to balance his or her own dharma. Dharma stands for the ultimate moral balance of all things. The universe has a divine order, but there is also order within one’s personal life. Each person has the responsibility to balance his or her own dharma.

16. Hindu Beliefs: Karma Karma is the belief that a person experiences the affects of his or her actions--that every act or thought has consequences.

17. Hindu Beliefs: Samsara Samsara is also known as reincarnation. It represents the cycle of life, death, and rebirth in which a person carries his or her own karma. Many Hindus believe that a person’s status depends upon actions in a past life. Good thoughts and actions can liberate a person. Samsara is also known as reincarnation. It represents the cycle of life, death, and rebirth in which a person carries his or her own karma. Many Hindus believe that a person’s status depends upon actions in a past life. Good thoughts and actions can liberate a person.

18. Hindu Beliefs: Moksha Hindus strive to reach moksha--a state of changeless bliss, or happiness. It is achieved by living a life of religious devotion and moral integrity without any interest in worldly things. It may be many lifetimes within the wheel of life before Moksha is achieved. Hindus strive to reach moksha--a state of changeless bliss, or happiness. It is achieved by living a life of religious devotion and moral integrity without any interest in worldly things. It may be many lifetimes within the wheel of life before Moksha is achieved.

19. Hindu Beliefs: The River Ganges To Hindus, water is both literally and symbolically a source of life, renewal, and hope. The river Ganges, which begins in the Himalayas, is the most sacred river in India. Many believe that contact with the river helps balance a person’s karma. To Hindus, water is both literally and symbolically a source of life, renewal, and hope. The river Ganges, which begins in the Himalayas, is the most sacred river in India. Many believe that contact with the river helps balance a person’s karma.

20. Hindu Holidays: Diwali Diwali, is the Festival of Lights. It celebrates the Hindu New Year. It usually falls in October or November (late Oct 2011!) People decorate their streets and doorways with small clay lamps, and their floors with colorful floor paintings made of rice flour. The celebrations last for five days. Diwali, is the Festival of Lights. It celebrates the Hindu New Year. It usually falls in October or November (late Oct 2011!) People decorate their streets and doorways with small clay lamps, and their floors with colorful floor paintings made of rice flour. The celebrations last for five days.

21. Hindu Holidays: Holi Holi is the Hindu spring festival. The holiday begins in the evening with bonfires that people sing and dance around. In the morning, the fires are put out. People throw colored powders and colored water at each other in a playful spirit. Holi is the Hindu spring festival. The holiday begins in the evening with bonfires that people sing and dance around. In the morning, the fires are put out. People throw colored powders and colored water at each other in a playful spirit.

22. Hindu Worship: The Mandir The Hindu mandir, or temple, is a holy place of gathering and worship. Each temple is dedicated to a particular god. Each morning, a priest decorates a shrine to the god or goddess with fresh flowers, fruit, incense, candles or lamps. The Hindu mandir, or temple, is a holy place of gathering and worship. Each temple is dedicated to a particular god. Each morning, a priest decorates a shrine to the god or goddess with fresh flowers, fruit, incense, candles or lamps.

23. Hindu Worship: Family Shrine Many Hindus keep a shrine in their home. These are dedicated to a particular god and can vary in size. Some common features of a family shrine are –A picture of the god –Fresh fruit and flowers –Incense or perfume –A bell, rung for prayers –An oil lamp –Scriptures from which prayers are read Many Hindus keep a shrine in their home. These are dedicated to a particular god and can vary in size. Some common features of a family shrine are –A picture of the god –Fresh fruit and flowers –Incense or perfume –A bell, rung for prayers –An oil lamp –Scriptures from which prayers are read

24. Hindu Symbols: Om The symbol Om, or Aum, is the main symbol of Hinduism. It is both a visual and oral representation of Brahmin, or God. This symbol is the most widely used in all Indian religions, appearing in both Buddhism and Sikhism. The symbol Om, or Aum, is the main symbol of Hinduism. It is both a visual and oral representation of Brahmin, or God. This symbol is the most widely used in all Indian religions, appearing in both Buddhism and Sikhism.

25. Hindu Symbols: Swastika The swastika is an ancient symbol of good fortune and protection. Besides being used as a symbol for Vishnu, it also represents the eternal wheel of life. In India, it is common to find swastikas marked on buildings and animals to protect them from evil spirits and natural disasters. The swastika is an ancient symbol of good fortune and protection. Besides being used as a symbol for Vishnu, it also represents the eternal wheel of life. In India, it is common to find swastikas marked on buildings and animals to protect them from evil spirits and natural disasters.

26. Hindu Symbols: The Lotus The lotus bud, which is born in water and unfolds itself into a beautiful flower, symbolizes the birth of the universe. Many deities are depicted sitting on a sacred lotus flower. The lotus bud, which is born in water and unfolds itself into a beautiful flower, symbolizes the birth of the universe. Many deities are depicted sitting on a sacred lotus flower.

27. Hindu Symbols: The Cow For ages, the cow has been held sacred by Hindus. One myth says that the cow was created by Krishna from his own body. For many Hindus the cow is a sacred animal, providing milk and butter, but not eaten for its meat! For ages, the cow has been held sacred by Hindus. One myth says that the cow was created by Krishna from his own body. For many Hindus the cow is a sacred animal, providing milk and butter, but not eaten for its meat!