An Introduction...

Show an understanding of the Hindu life cycle Show an understanding of the Hindu life cycle. This includes the following terms and being able to connect them all! Brahman Atman Maya Reincarnation Samsara Moksha Karma

This video quickly sums up Hinduism This video quickly sums up Hinduism! It would be beneficial to go back and watch this video before your unit test. It acts as a basis for the unit, but it is also a wonderful recap of everything you will learn throughout this unit! PLEASE CLICK HERE!

Hinduism is often described as a non-dogmatic religion. People are free to worship any set of doctrines or rules they like. It does not believe in conversion, and does not impose its beliefs on others. However, Hindus are expected to follow specific rules in their personal conduct and daily duties. There is a vast body of rules and rituals for almost every station and stage of a Hindu’s life.

Some describe Hinduism as polytheistic, others as monotheistic. Most state it is monistic — which means that all reality is ultimately one. There are 330 million gods in the Hindu tradition but Hindus reconcile them: “Bhagwan Ek Hai” (“God is One”) Hinduism reconciles these three different concepts of God, which makes it tolerant of various beliefs. The challenge for Hindus is to live the experience of God everywhere

Brahman is: The Supreme Being, an entity without form and quality. The soul of the universe, from which all existing things arise, and into which they all return. Everywhere and everything. The essence of Brahman is divine, invisible, unlimited, and indescribable. Hindus are free to imagine Brahman in any way that is meaningful to them. They worship different deities that they consider manifestations, or expressions, of Brahman.

The Atman is the human soul or spirit. It is the part of our innermost self that is identical to Brahman. A Hindu’s goal is to reunite the Atman with the Brahman. Atman = Brahman Brahman = Atman

People fail to see that they are essentially Brahman because they live through their senses They see everything as separate from one another which is an illusion called maya They do not perceive the divine oneness (Brahman) that surges through all things To live in Maya is to be imprisoned in ignorance and distraction Realizing that Brahman or Atman is present in all things sets us free If this is not realized, we are reborn and do not achieve moksha

…is an illusion Essentially, Maya can be understood as the everyday world and this, our everyday world…

Individuals usually cannot remember past lives. The Atman is: Eternal and immortal. Lives on, shedding the lifeless body for a new one. For Hindus, most aspects of the personality are generally not thought to be transmitted into the next life form. Individuals usually cannot remember past lives.

The endless cycle of rebirth or reincarnation is called samsara The physical world is temporary, ever- changing, artificial The imperfect world is known as MAYA The Hindu term for salvation, for liberation from samsara, is moksha

This is the liberation from the endless cycle of birth, death, and rebirth into this world. With moksha, the atman is united with the Brahman

Lets Chat! How do you think we can escape the cycle of samsara? What is it in us that reincarnates? What do you know about karma?

It is the totality of one’s actions in life It determines the form a person will take when they are reborn BAD KARMA - leads to rebirth at a lower form of life (ie. Animal) GOOD KARMA - leads to rebirth at a higher station in life- this is closer to attaining salvation Hindus must work their way up the ladder of existence This is evident in the Hindu CASTE SYSTEM

Summing Up the Cycle of Samsara A quick video

The Eternal Cycle of Life Assignment #1 Make sure to bring your notes, and your creativity!