1. Hinduism

2. One of the world’s oldest religions – Over 3,000 years old No single founder – Formed from the beliefs of the diverse groups who settled in India Original people of the Indus valley Aryans

3. Origins Developed from the Vedas – 3500 – 2500 years ago – Polytheism rituals and many gods – Sacred texts – The Caste System

4. Braham One universal spirit Appears as many different gods – This gave people a concrete way to worship and understand an impersonal god

5. Atman The individual soul of human beings

6. Moksha Ultimate goal of Hinduism Union with the universal spiritual force (Brahman) – Release from worldly cares and difficulties Atman + Brahman = Moksha

7. Reincarnation Sometimes called Samsara Atman is reborn into the world after death Continues until union with the Brahman

8. Dharma Spiritual and moral duties that must be followed

9. Karma All of the deeds of a person’s life Allows people to continue towards Brahman Goods deeds – Reincarnated into a higher castes Bad deeds – Reincarnated into a lower caste or stuck in the same level

10. Sacred Texts Vedas Upanishads – Nature of the world and meaning of life Ramayana and Mahabharata – Epic poems – Discuss importance of following dharma

11. Hindu Gods Brahma The god of creation

12. Hindu Gods Vishnu – The preserver god Appears as ten different avatars Krishna with his consort Radha ; appears in the Mahabharata

13. Shiva God of destruction Constructive destruction Shiva with his wife, Parvati, and his son Ganesha

14. How Ganesha got his Elephant Head Parvati (Ganesha’s mom) told him to stay outside her bath and allow no one to enter Shiva arrived, and because he had been away for a long time, Ganesha didn’t recognize his dad When Ganesha refused to allow Shiva to enter, Shiva cut off his head Parvati refused to allow Shiva into her bedroom unless Ganesha was returned to life Shiva took the head from the next animal to appear, and restored Ganesha to life with an elephant’s head

15. All of the many Hindu deities are manifestations of the spirit Brahman