By Allyssa Robertson, Edwin Nguyen, Makayla Berndt, and Taylor Worsham Hinduism By Allyssa Robertson, Edwin Nguyen, Makayla Berndt, and Taylor Worsham

Introduction to Hinduism Hinduism is the oldest religion out in the world today. Hinduism is polytheistic and it is the third largest religion. The three most important gods of Hinduism are Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. The place of worship for Hindus is called Mandir. Hindu sacred texts are the Big Veda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda and Atharva Veda.

Hindu Festivals Holi- Color Festival Diwali- Festival of Lights

How Hinduism was originally practiced How Hinduism was originally practiced,the key beliefs and its scripture How Hinduism was originally practiced Key beliefs of Hinduism Hinduism scriptures Some practices of ancient hinduism was fire worship and fire sacrifices. Also some practices included meditation. 1.Truth is eternal. 2.Brahman is truth and reality. 3.The Vedas are the highest authority. 4.Everybody should strive to acquire dharma. 5.Individual souls are immortal. 6.The goal of the individual soul is moksha. The scriptures consist of the Vedas, Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita. Some regional texts are the Tantric Agamas, Bhagavata Purana and the Yajnavalkya Smriti.

Major Turning Points in Hinduism Major Turning points for hinduism What are some major decisions made by leaders/followers of Hinduism Indo-European Invasion New Hindu gods Transferred the Hindi language Rig Veda The oldest Hindu scripture that can be read Written in Sanskrit Sri Aurobindo Political independence Mahatma Ghandi Independence movement

The Spread of Hinduism Where Hinduism started Where Hinduism spread Diffusion of Hinduism Hinduism started on the Indian subcontinent. Had systems of philosophy, belief, and ritual. Hinduism is the oldest living religion on earth. Hinduism spread into southeast Asia where at times the gained control over parts of Indonesia and Cambodia. It is also a universal religion. The religion did not spread much. The majority of its believers are in India. In Hindu society there is a caste system which divides the society based on occupation and family lineage.

Where and how is Hinduism today Hinduism today is mainly practiced in India because of its orientation. However, Hinduism is also practiced in Nepal, Sri Lanka, most of North America, the Middle East, Australia, South Africa, Indonesia, and in parts of South America. How? Hindu’s practice meditation, yoga, sacrifices (mainly food), fast, and sing mantras to gods that have meaning to them. They also have to fulfill dharma of their position to obtain good karma. They also believe in rebirth. Where Hinduism is located? Mantra

Hinduism is the oldest standing religion in the world. Unlike most religions, Hinduism also has no founder or specific date of origin. Historians believe it may have started about 2,000 B.C.E. After all these years, it is still the third largest religion after Christianity and Islam with about 900 million followers.

Beliefs Hindus believe in karma, the law of cause and effect by which each individual creates his/her own destiny by their thoughts, words, and deeds. And they believe in dharma, the path of righteousness and living one’s life to the codes of conduct. Thirdly they believe in the divinity of the Vedas, the world’s most ancient scripture.These primordial hymns are God’s word and the bedrock of Sanatana Dharma, the eternal religion which has neither beginning nor end. Lastly they believe the soul reincarnates, evolving through many births until all karmas have been resolved, and moksha, spiritual knowledge and liberation from the cycle of rebirth is attained.

Brahma, Vishnu, And Shiva The Hindu Trinity consists of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. These are their main gods. Brahma - The Creator Vishnu - The Preserver Shiva - The Destroyer Despite being The Destroyer, Shiva is seen as a positive force

Saraswati, Lakshmi, and Parvati *Saraswati, Lakshmi, and Parvati are the female counterparts to the Hindu Trinity. They are called the Tridevi. Sri Saraswati is the goddess of learning, knowledge, and music Sri Lakshmi is the goddess of wealth. Sri Parvati is the goddess of power.

Lakshmi (left), Parvati (middle), Saraswati (right)

Hinduism and Politics In ancient India, priests (Brahmin) were at the top of the Caste System. They were more powerful than the kings and warriors. Kings would have spiritual leaders who would help them do their rituals and make sure they did them correctly Your karma also affected your position in the caste, if you make bad decisions you might be an untouchable, but if you were good you might rise to a king in your next life

Hinduism and Buddhism n Almost 1500 years ago, the Hindu tradition accepted the Buddha as an incarnation of Vishnu in a Hindu family Many supressed people, untouchables, went to Buddhism to escape their situations

Hinduism in India Hinduism is 84% of India’s population Hinduism remained much a religion of variety. It was less organized and concerned with heresy than Christianity As early as the 4th century the movement called Bhakti, meaning love and devotion of a personal or representational god by a devotee was forming That belief and many others formed inside the religion of Hinduism

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