1. Exploring the Religions of Our World
Chapter 5 Hinduism

2. Chapter 5 Hinduism The Basics 95% of Hindus live in India
Hinduism emerged as a religion, it did not begin with a founder or particular event
Hinduism shares no doctrinal statements
Hindus hold that no one religion can possibly claim knowledge of absolute truth

3. Chapter 5 Hinduism
Periods of Hindu History
Pages

4. Chapter 5 Hinduism History (continued) Major developments of:
The Indus Valley Period ( BCE)
emphasis on ritual purity
focus on fertility and regeneration
the practice of meditation
emphasis on peacefulness

5. Chapter 5 Hinduism History (continued) Major developments of:
The Brahminical Period ( BCE)
ritual sacrifices by the Brahmins (priests)
home ritual sacrifices
gurus (teachers) train disciples in personal devotion to the gods
the gods Shiva and Vishnu gain in prominence
rise of ascetical practices

6. Chapter 5 Hinduism History (continued) Major developments of:
The Classical Period ( CE)
establishment of Hindu temples
growth of home-based rituals
the Vedas become the authoritative scripture
emphasis shifts from the transcendent to the immanent
emphasis on personal transformation
the concepts of karma and reincarnation emerge
the evolution of the caste system

7. Chapter 5 Hinduism History (continued) Jainism:
founded by Mahavira in the sixth century BCE
contains elements of Hinduism and Buddhism
practice non-violence or non-injury

8. Chapter 5 Hinduism The Vedas Sacred Stories and Sacred Scriptures
Shruti Scriptures (the most sacred)
1. Rig Veda - hymns to various gods
2. Soma Veda - hymns chanted at sacrifices
3. Yajur Veda - instructions for priests regarding sacrifices
4. Atharva Veda - hymns, charms, spells and incantations for domestic use
The
Vedas
The
Holy
Vedasc

9. Chapter 5 Hinduism Sacred Stories and Sacred Scriptures (continued)
Shruti Scriptures – also…
The
Upanishads
The
Upanishads
concerned with the cycle of rebirth
the mystical relationship between Brahman (Ultimate Reality) and atmon (soul)
often shared in a dialogue between guru and student

10. Puranas Puranas Chapter 5 Hinduism Mahabharata Mahabharata
Sacred Stories and Sacred Scriptures (continued)
Smriti Scriptures
Puranas
Puranas
Mahabharata
Mahabharata
stories of the gods:
Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva
a Hindu epic poem

11. Chapter 5 Hinduism Beliefs and Practices
Most Hindus hold these beliefs in common:
the caste
system
the cycle of
rebirth
the sacredness
of life
millions of
gods and
goddesses
the four stages
of life

12. Chapter 5 Hinduism Beliefs and Practices (continued) Brahman
= one Ultimate Reality or Absolute Reality which:
is manifested
in gods and
goddesses
cannot be
grasped by
the five senses
includes every-
thing material
and immaterial is
transcendent
is the life-
force of the
universe
has no
attributes

13. Chapter 5 Hinduism Beliefs and Practices (continued) 3 primary
forms of
Brahman
1. Brahma is the Creator god
2. Vishnu is the Preserving god
3. Shiva is the Destroying god
An avatar is the incarnation of a god or goddess e.g. Krishna and Rama

14. Chapter 5 Hinduism Beliefs and Practices (continued) Atman:
is the “real self” (mind, body, and emotions are “maya” or illusions)
Hindus strive for release from maya in order to achieve union with Brahman/atman
Moksha (liberation) is achieved through rigorous physical and mental discipline

15. Chapter 5 Hinduism Beliefs and Practices (continued)
Samsara - the cycle of rebirth
rebirth
breaking the cycle:
knowledge
good deeds
devotion
birth
karma
death

16. especially as dictated
Chapter 5 Hinduism
Moksha
pursuit of liberation
from the cycle of
rebirth through
actions, thoughts,
and devotions
Beliefs and Practices (continued)
The major pursuits of life:
Artha
pursuit of both
material and
political wealth
Dharma
one’s duties in life,
especially as dictated
by caste
Kama
pursuit of artistic,
recreational, and
sensual pleasure

17. Chapter 5 Hinduism Sikhism a blending of Hinduism and Islam
is monotheistic
beliefs: karma, samsara, moksha, equality
rejects: caste system, idol worship
signs of devotion: unshorn hair, comb, short pants, steel bracelet, short sword
many have a desire to found and establish their own homeland

18. Chapter 5 Hinduism Sacred Places and Sacred Spaces temples
many images of
gods/goddesses
home shrines
many images of
gods/goddesses
puja
honoring the gods
Ganges River
symbol of life w/o end
ritual bathing

19. Chapter 5 Hinduism Hinduism through a Catholic Lens Similarities:
toleration of religious diversity
pursuing social issues
honoring Jesus and his teachings
the tradition of depicting and venerating religious images

20. Chapter 5 Hinduism Hinduism through a Catholic Lens (continued)
Differences:
karma
reincarnation
the caste system
Jesus as the one and only incarnation of God

21. Chapter 5 Hinduism Vocabulary Brahmins shruti gurus bhakti Sanskrit
karma
caste system
mantra
Hare Krishnas
Avatar
Brahman
transcendent
Atman
maya
samsara
yoga
satyagraha
puja
iconoclasm
devas