1. HINDUISM Mr. Thomas Cole 10433 42nd Ave SW London, England

2. To the Reader I, Thomas Cole, am a retired British soldier who devoted many bloody years to my country establishing power in east India. I learned of many things there, including the religion of Hinduism. Though at first it seemed quite peculiar, I soon became quite accustomed to it. This collection of pictures and text are some things I have gathered and decided to share with you. I can only wish that you have the chance to experience what I have had the privilege of witnessing. Best wishes, Mr. Thomas Cole

3. The Gods and Goddesses of Hinduism There are four main sects of HInduism in which only a certain god/s is worshipped: Shaivism, Vaishnavism, Shaktism, Smartism. Above is a god known as Brahma, the creator. To the right is his wife, Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, music and the arts. This is Vishna, The Preserver and main god of Vaishnavism. He was reincarnated nine times and his wife is Lakshimi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity. Shiva is The Destroyer as well as the transformer and is the main god of Shaivism. Parvati/Shakti, to the right, is the reincarnation of Shiva's first wife and The Divine Mother. She is the female aspect of god and is the main goddess of Shaktism. In Smartism, six main gods are worshipped: Shiva, Vishnu, Shakti, Ganesh, Murugan, and Surya. Murugan Shiva Ganesh Shakti/Parvati Saraswati Brahma Surya Vishna Lakshimi Durga, a fiercer form of Parvati

4. 1,569 miles long, India's Ganges River is an important source of water for the people and the land. Its tributaries bring water filled with sediment from the mountains that makes a long and fertile plain. This plain provides food, water, and a great many other necessities. Hindus have worshipped it since the ancient times because Ganges is considered to be a goddess who was brought down to earth by The Creator, Brahma. However, when she found out her fate, she was so bloody enraged that she threatened to destroy the earth. Before she could, Shiva caught Ganga in his hair and released her. She came down to earth in small streams and became a river. The Ganges River

5. Between the years 1500 and 600 BCE, Hinduism's oldest and most sacred texts were compiled by a man called Vvasa Krishna Dwaipavana. They are collections of hymns and ritual instructions that are used today to perform Vedic ceremonies. Hinduism was formed from the theology and philosophy contained in these writings. There are four different works that form the Vedas: the Rig-Veda, which is the oldest and contains 1,000 hymns; the Atharva-Veda, which is made up of myths, verses, spells, and prayers; the Yajur-Veda, a book that goes through Vedic sacrifice; and the Sams-Veda, which is a series of liturgical chants. The Holy Vedas

6. The Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path The Four Noble Truths: Ordinary life brings about suffering The origin of suffering is attachment The cessation of suffering is attainable There is an eightfold path to cessation the suffering The Eightfold Path: Right View Right Intention Right Speech Right Action Right Livelihood Right Effort Right Mindfulness Right Concentration

7. Sanskrit The Indo-European language of Sanskrit was supposedly introduced by a group called the Aryans, which can be translated into 'noble ones.' Around 2000 BCE, they began to migrate to India and the language spread. Between 200 and 1000 CE, it became an international language across Asia, much like Latin in the medieval west. In modern India, it is used mainly for ceremonial and religious purposes. In fact, many of the languages in India now are descended and based upon Sanskrit.

8. This is has been my experience in India. I do hope you enjoyed reading this and were able to take a lot from it. Thank you

9. Websites used to create this scrapbook by Annika Bjornson are as listed below: -Matt Baker. "Hindu Gods and Goddesses." Useful Charts. 8 Jan 2013. Useful Charts Publishing. 27 Feb 2013.www.usefulcharts.com/religion/main- hindu-gods-chart.html -"Lesson 1: Tracking Early Hinduism." PBS.com. 25 Feb 2013.PBS.comwww.pbs.org/thehistoryofindia/teachers/lessons/1// -Stephen Knapp. "A Short Story of India - Its Heroes and Invaders." Stephen-Knapp.com. 27 Feb 2013. Stephen-Knapp.comwww.stephen- knapp.com/a_short_history_of_india -"Lord Shiva Holding River Goddess Ganga in his Matted Hair." Exotic India. unlimitedfx.com. 26 Feb 2013 unlimitedfx.comwww.exoticindiaart.com/product/paintings/lord-shiva-holding-river-goddess- ganga-into-his-matted-hair-WL74/ -Karen Leeson. "Works CIted." 10/4. MLA. 28 Feb 2013.schools.4j.lan.edu/north/library/support/workscited.html