The Origins of Hinduism The Hindu Gods And Goddesses Hinduism Basic Beliefs

The Hindu Gods And Goddesses Considered the oldest religion and one of the three largest religions Hinduism is a combination of Aryan and Indus Valley region beliefs Hinduism has evolved over 3,500 years Hinduism is polytheistic and worships both gods and goddesses

The Hindu Gods And Goddesses Over 108 Hindu Gods They can take the shape of humans and animals Most powerful of Hindu gods are: Brahma, the creator Vishnu, the preserver Shiva, the destroyer

The Hindu Gods And Goddesses Brahma is believed to have been born of a golden egg He created earth and everything on it Vishnu protects and guides humans on earth Sometimes he visits earth to help people through providing advice and guidance

The Hindu Gods And Goddesses Shiva, is the creator and destroyer of life and earth He is the most powerful and important of Hindu gods Not concerned with human matters or concerns He is married to Shakti who intervenes in human matters

Hinduism Basic Beliefs All teachings of Hinduism are recorded in texts Texts are written in sanskirt, a language specifically used for religious purposes “Upanishads”, is a text in Sanskrit that has a dialogue between a students and teachers of Hinduism Upanishads address the belief of reincarnation

Hinduism Basic Beliefs Reincarnation (Samsara) is the belief that if you die your soul goes into another body If you were a good person then you will be reborn in a higher class than you occupied But if you were a bad person you may come back as a poor person or an animal The lower your social rank the harder you tried to guarantee your position in life

Hinduism Basic Beliefs If you were a pure person then your spirit goes to be with Brahman All Hindu’s must obey their “dharma” Dharma was a person’s religious duties A person’s dharma was based on their age, class and occupation

Hinduism Basic Beliefs If you obeyed your dharma you moved closer to Brahman You also had to believe in being nonviolent or “ahimsa” Hindus also do not eat meat because they won’t harm animals Karma is the sum of all a person has done and will do

Hinduism Basic Beliefs Hindus can worship at a temple or at home Typically it is personal and involves a shrine at home were prayers and offerings are made (fruit, flowers, water or incense) Families pray together three times a day Pilgrimages are important to Hindus and they are made to where their god has appeared or originated