Hinduism Nearly 1 billion practitionersNearly 1 billion practitioners Hindu means “Indian”Hindu means “Indian” Cannot be traced to a specific person or event – therefore, believers view it as existing foreverCannot be traced to a specific person or event – therefore, believers view it as existing forever Brahma, the creator, creates the earth and it lasts 2,160,000,000 years; it then falls to ruin and Brahma creates again.Brahma, the creator, creates the earth and it lasts 2,160,000,000 years; it then falls to ruin and Brahma creates again.

The AUM – the Hindu symbol of supreme reality

Hindu Gods The Hindu triad includes Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva Hinduism is polytheistic, but also considers itself monotheistic –I–I–I–It has many individual deities, but they all include aspects of Brahma, the supreme being

3 Central Ideas to Hinduism KarmaSamsara(Reincarnation)Moksha (nirvana or heaven)

Karma The belief that a person experiences the effects of every thought, action, and wordThe belief that a person experiences the effects of every thought, action, and word Hardships and inequalities in this life may be explained by actions and decisions taken in a previous lifeHardships and inequalities in this life may be explained by actions and decisions taken in a previous life It is not a reward/punishment system administered by a supreme force; it is simply a belief in cause and effect.It is not a reward/punishment system administered by a supreme force; it is simply a belief in cause and effect.

Samsara The soul continues to be reincarnated eternally until liberated The soul continues to be reincarnated eternally until liberated It is believed a person meets many of the same people in different lives, so therefore every interaction is meaningful. It is believed a person meets many of the same people in different lives, so therefore every interaction is meaningful. The only way to escape the cycle of samsara is to be completely purified in mind, speech, and action The only way to escape the cycle of samsara is to be completely purified in mind, speech, and action

Moksha A state of changeless bliss achieved by a life of religious devotion and moral integrity (with no regard for materialistic things)A state of changeless bliss achieved by a life of religious devotion and moral integrity (with no regard for materialistic things) In death, a believer is both grateful for the experience and hopeful for a chance at Moksha, the liberation from the cycleIn death, a believer is both grateful for the experience and hopeful for a chance at Moksha, the liberation from the cycle Moksha is the final union with the universal creative forceMoksha is the final union with the universal creative force