1. Hinduism

2. What is Hinduism?
- One of the world’s oldest religions (3000 years old)
- The religion of the Indian people
- Influenced many other religions, including Buddhism and Sikhism
- A polytheistic religion (multiple gods)

3. What do Hindus Believe?
True essence of life – Atman, the soul, is Brahman trapped in matter
Reincarnation – Atman is continually born into this world lifetime after lifetime
Karma – spiritual impurity due to actions keeps us bound to this world (good and bad)
Ultimate goal of life – to release Atman and reunite with the divine, becoming as one with Brahman

4. What do Hindus Believe?
“We are not human beings having spiritual experiences; We are spiritual beings having a human experience!”

5. Hinduism in daily life
Respect for all life – vegetarian

6. Hinduism in daily life Respect for all life – vegetarian
Human life as supreme:
Four “stations” of life (Caste) - priests & teachers, nobles & warriors, merchant class, servant class

7. Hinduism in daily life Respect for all life – vegetarian
Human life as supreme:
Four “stations” of life (Caste) - priests & teachers, nobles & warriors, merchant class, servant class
Four stages of life – student, householder, retired, renunciant

8. Hinduism in daily life Respect for all life – vegetarian
Human life as supreme:
Four “stations” of life (Caste) - priests & teachers, nobles & warriors, merchant class, servant class
Four stages of life – student, householder, retired, renunciant
Four duties of life – pleasure, success, social responsibilities, religious responsibilities (moksha)

9. Who do Hindus Worship?
Brahma
The creator god

10. Who do Hindus Worship?
Vishnu
The preserver and protector god

11. Who do Hindus Worship?
Shiva
The destruction god

12. Who do Hindus Worship?
Shakti
The Divine Mother

13. All these gods are but
forms (attributes
and functions) of the
impersonal Brahman