1. Hinduism
Cy-Woods HS

2. History of Hinduism
Originated between 4000 and 2000 BC
Polytheistic
No single founder
Vedas: the oldest scriptures of Hinduism
Veda means “to know”

3. Basic Beliefs
Karma - the law of cause and effect; “you reap what you sow”
Reincarnation - eternal soul traverses through different bodies till it finds liberation

4. Hindu Basics 3rd largest religion in the world
837 million adherents
13% of the world’s population
Practiced primarily in India and Nepal
~ 80% of Indians practice Hinduism

5. Hindu Basics Often considered the oldest religion in the world.
Has no founder
Sanskrit is the ancient language of Hinduism.
Hindu comes from the Persian word for the people living on the other side of the Indus River.

6. Four Goals of Human Life
Kama – fulfillment of desires
Artha – accumulation of wealth
Dharma – performance of social and religious duties
Moksha – freedom from want

7. Vedas The ancient scriptures of Hinduism. A collection
of hymns, prayers, rituals, chants, etc… They are
the sacred writings of Hinduism.

8. Concepts of god
Most Hindu believe in a single god of the highest form.
Brahman
God is everywhere, is everything, and is beyond everything.
god represents the very fabric of reality.
People are thus part of Brahman as well.

9. Hindu Trinity Brahma - the Creator Vishnu - the Preserver
Shiva - the Destroyer
Three aspects/powers of the same divine being

10. Ishvara The personal aspects of God.
Applying human traits to god to better communicate.

11. Brahma
“Creator god”

12. Vishnu
“preserver of the world”

13. Shiva
“destroyer or transformer”

14. Nandi The vehicle of Shiva.
Often seen at the entrance to shrines of Shiva.

15. sacred animals
Hindus believe that
all living beings have
a soul.

16. Holy Cow!
Hindus have always had great respect for Mother Nature and its creatures
Cow is especially significant because it symbolizes gentleness

17. Dharma Generally translated as “the law”.
Varies according to caste or class.
Also seen in Buddhism and Sikhism.
How one should live their life.
Dharma determines karma

18. Karma
Cause and effect
“a fluttering butterfly’s wings causing a storm on the other side of the world”
Unbalance in karma will be worked out in the next life.
Goodness begets goodness and evil begets evil.

19. Samsara
Sanskrit word referring to the cycle of reincarnation.

20. Symbolism in Hinduism

21. Practices Shrines and temples
Singing hymnals, reciting scriptures and chanting mantras.

22. Temple Worship
Temples provide an atmosphere conducive for spiritual progress
Centers of social and cultural activities
Provide a place for collective worship and prayers

23. Bindi Help concentration and retain energy
Protect against demons or bad luck
Traditionally indicated that a woman was married
Worn all over South and South East Asia
Not only Hindus

24. Pilgrimages and festivals
Holy cities in Hinduism
Allahabad, Varanasi
Holi
Festival of Colors
Diwali
Festival of Lights
Return of Lord Raama after defeating the demon king Ravana – ruler of Lanka

25. Ganges River
Varanasi is considered by some to be the holiest site in Hinduism.
On the banks of the Ganges R.
Some believe they must bathe in it once in a lifetime
Cleanse a persons soul from sins
Heal the sick

26. Traditional Caste System in South Asia
The caste system is a type of SOCIAL ORDER
in which a person’s occupation and position in life is determined by the circumstances of his/her birth.
Traditional Caste System in South Asia

27. 4 Original Levels of the Caste System
Brahmans
Kshatriyas
4 Original Levels of the
Caste System
Vaisyas
Sudras

28. Sudras Vaisyas Kshatriyas Brahmans Showing the original caste
levels in the pyramid
shape symbolizes “status”
from highest to lowest,
but also represents
the the portion of
the population
fitting into each level.
Brahmans
Kshatriyas
**Remember that
this social order
is not based
on how much
$$ you have
Vaisyas
Sudras
Largest %
of population
Untouchables are NOT a part of the caste system.

29. Brahmans: priests/ scholars

30. Kshatriyas: warriors

31. Vaisyas: farmers and merchants

32. sudras
(artisans and laborers)

33. Untouchables (dalits)

34. Vaisyas: Merchants & farmers (most Woods families here)
Sudras: laborers
Comparisons in the “West”
Kshatriyas: Military leaders and politicians.
Brahmins: Religious leaders & scholars

35. Be the change you wish to see in the world.
-Mohandas Gandhi
Gandhi was assassinated by a Hindu extremist in He died
at the age of 79.