Introductory Questions: Hinduism Where did Hinduism originate? Where did Hinduism originate? Hinduism is considered a major world religion. Why do you think this is? Hinduism is considered a major world religion. Why do you think this is? Is Hinduism polytheistic or monotheistic? Is Hinduism polytheistic or monotheistic?

Basics of Hinduism Originated in India Originated in India Dates back to 1500 BCE and many consider it the oldest religion in the world Dates back to 1500 BCE and many consider it the oldest religion in the world Third largest religion (# of adherents) Third largest religion (# of adherents) Practiced by 80% of India’s inhabitants Practiced by 80% of India’s inhabitants Derivative of word Hindu is the geographical term (Sindu River or Indus Valley) Derivative of word Hindu is the geographical term (Sindu River or Indus Valley)

Indus Valley 4000 – 2200 BCE 4000 – 2200 BCE Built houses for worship Built houses for worship Stone sculptures and charms to ward off evil Stone sculptures and charms to ward off evil Fire altars & animal sacrifices Fire altars & animal sacrifices Aryans 1500 BCE 1500 BCE Poems and ritual texts called VEDAS (early sacred writings) Poems and ritual texts called VEDAS (early sacred writings) Rig Veda – the oldest of the Sacred Texts Rig Veda – the oldest of the Sacred Texts Agni - worshipped forces of nature as gods Agni - worshipped forces of nature as gods Atman - human soul Atman - human soul

VEDAS Composed in Sanskrit Composed in Sanskrit Vedas literally means “knowledge“ Vedas literally means “knowledge“ Vedas Vedas called “Shruti” by the Hindus Vedas called “Shruti” by the Hindus RIG VEDA RIG VEDA Upanishads – mystical texts on human existence Upanishads – mystical texts on human existenceEPICS Ramayana – Hindu Epic of about verses including hero story of Rama Ramayana – Hindu Epic of about verses including hero story of Rama Mahabharata and Bhagavad Gita Mahabharata and Bhagavad Gita Legal Codes Laws of Manu Laws of Manu

Hindu Beliefs & Deities Categorizing the religion of Hinduism is somewhat confusing: POLYTHEISTIC= worships multiple deities: gods and goddesses POLYTHEISTIC= worships multiple deities: gods and goddesses MONOTHEISTIC = it recognizes only one supreme God: the panentheistic principle of Brahman, that all reality is a unity. The entire universe is seen as one divine entity who is simultaneously at one with the universe and who transcends it as well MONOTHEISTIC = it recognizes only one supreme God: the panentheistic principle of Brahman, that all reality is a unity. The entire universe is seen as one divine entity who is simultaneously at one with the universe and who transcends it as well TRINITARIAN= Brahman is simultaneously visualized as a triad -- one God with three persons: Brahma (the Creator) Vishnu (the Preserver, Shiva (the Destroyer) TRINITARIAN= Brahman is simultaneously visualized as a triad -- one God with three persons: Brahma (the Creator) Vishnu (the Preserver, Shiva (the Destroyer) HENOTHEISTIC= recognize a single deity, and recognizes other gods and goddesses as facets, forms, manifestations, or aspects of that supreme God HENOTHEISTIC= recognize a single deity, and recognizes other gods and goddesses as facets, forms, manifestations, or aspects of that supreme God

Brahman Brahma (Saraswati) Shiva (Parvati) Vishnu (Lakshmi) Creator Destroyer Preserver -is the supreme being -entity without form or quality -soul of universe -divine, invisible, unlimited

Son of Shiva and Parvati Son of Shiva and Parvati Human body and an elephant’s head with only one short tusk Human body and an elephant’s head with only one short tusk Worshipped as the remover of all obstacles Worshipped as the remover of all obstacles Milk Miracle – Sept. 25, 1995 Milk Miracle – Sept. 25, 1995

Vishnu has many AVATARS (incarnations)who appear on earth as humans or animals to conquer evil and establish righteousness 7 th - Rama 8 th - Krishna 9 th - Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha)

 The ultimate aim of all Hindu thoughts is to attain the universal soul or divine wisdom called Brahman  Hindu’s believe in the freedom to individually worship and guide own spiritual experience.  The goals of Hinduism consist of personal conduct and righteous living which equals to dharma  Goal to achieve moksha, (liberation) from endless cycle of rebirths called Samsara and reunite atman with Brahman

MAYA= all forms of existence are temporary and illusionary MAYA= all forms of existence are temporary and illusionary SAMSARA = endless cycle of reincarnation SAMSARA = endless cycle of reincarnation KARMA = Basic belief of cause and effect (all actions have a consequence) KARMA = Basic belief of cause and effect (all actions have a consequence) DHARMA =personal conduct and righteous living DHARMA =personal conduct and righteous living MOKSHA= the liberation from samsara and the uniting of ATMAN (human soul) with Brahman (ultimate soul) MOKSHA= the liberation from samsara and the uniting of ATMAN (human soul) with Brahman (ultimate soul)

– ॐ । असतो मा सद्गमय । तमसो मा ज्योतिर्गमय । मृत्योर्मामृतं गमय ।। –OM Asato mā sadgamaya, tamaso mā jyotirgamaya, mrityormāmritam gamaya –"OM (Lead me) from falsehood to truth, from darkness to light, from death to immortality." Aum (also Om, ॐ ) is the most sacred syllable in Hinduism and Vedas Aum (also Om, ॐ ) is the most sacred syllable in Hinduism and Vedas Used in meditation and prayer as sound gives supernatural power Used in meditation and prayer as sound gives supernatural power Represents the original sound of creation Represents the original sound of creation To chant “om” will steady and elevate the mind To chant “om” will steady and elevate the mind

Good luck symbol representing “well being” Good luck symbol representing “well being” Usually illustrated in red Usually illustrated in red Used on wedding invitations, drawings Used on wedding invitations, drawings Used in rituals to bring good luck and protect against evil Used in rituals to bring good luck and protect against evil

4 Paths to Salvation 4 Paths to Salvation 4 Stages of Life 4 Stages of Life 4 Goals of Life 4 Goals of Life Caste System Caste System Puja Puja Upanayana Upanayana Vegetarianism “holy cow” Vegetarianism “holy cow” Arranged Marriages Arranged Marriages Diwali – Festival of Lights Diwali – Festival of Lights Ahimsa – non-violence Ahimsa – non-violence Yoga – philosophy and exercise together – very spiritual Yoga – philosophy and exercise together – very spiritual

Best known Hindu in world Best known Hindu in world Fought to end discrimination against Indians in South Africa Fought to end discrimination against Indians in South Africa Tolerant of all religions Tolerant of all religions Religious ideals on duty, truth, non-violence (ahimsa) and spiritual liberation (moksha) Religious ideals on duty, truth, non-violence (ahimsa) and spiritual liberation (moksha) Negotiated independence of India in 1947 Negotiated independence of India in 1947 Opposed social injustice of Hindu society (ie. untouchables) Opposed social injustice of Hindu society (ie. untouchables) Assassinated in 1948 Assassinated in 1948