1. Hinduism Preview Main Idea / Reading Focus Basic Teachings of Hinduism
Sacred Texts and Practices
Jainism

2. Hinduism Main Idea Reading Focus
The religion of Hinduism developed and evolved over a long time in India, giving rise to a variety of beliefs and practices and to other religions, including Jainism.
Reading Focus
What basic teachings do most Hindus share?
What are the sacred texts and religious practices of Hinduism?
What are the teachings of Jainism?

3. Basic Teachings of Hinduism
One of the world’s oldest religions, Hinduism, is practiced by most people in India today. Hinduism evolved over thousands of years and was influenced by the cultures and traditions of many peoples. However a few fundamental teachings are shared by nearly all Hindus.
Among most basic tenets of Hinduism, belief in Brahman, eternal being that created, preserves world
Brahman all-encompassing
Many believe human mind incapable of understanding
Brahman
Hindus believe each person has atman, soul, aspect of Brahman
Atman shapes personality, cannot be destroyed, even by death
Devas, manifestations of Brahman, active in world, helping maintain order in nature
Atman
Three devas- Brahma, Vishnu, Siva -are particularly influential. Some believe in thousands; others worship only one as the true manifestation of Brahman.

4. Rebirth and Salvation Pattern of Life New Life Dharma
Hindus believe universe, everyone in it, part of continual pattern of birth, death, and rebirth
After death atman reborn in process called reincarnation, or samsara
New Life
Nature of person’s new life shaped by karma—sum effect of deeds, actions
Good karma, reincarnated to better station in life; bad karma, lower station in life
Ultimate goal of human existence, moksha, escape from cycle of rebirth
Dharma
With moksha, atman leaves world, reunites fully with Brahman
To achieve moksha is to fulfill one’s dharma—spiritual duties, obligations
By fulfilling dharma, one creates good karma, breaks free from rebirth cycle

5. Sacred Texts and Practices
Much of Hinduism’s evolution stemmed from a number of sacred writings produced over centuries.
Teachings, practices based on many texts, most sorted into one of three categories
The Vedas
Later writings inspired by the Vedas
Sacred epics
The Vedas, sacred hymns of praise, among earliest sacred texts of Hinduism
Sacred Texts
Name means “knowledge” in Sanskrit
Hindus consider Vedas to contain eternal knowledge not written by humans, revealed to them by Brahman
Parts of Vedas date back more than 3,000 years
Considered core of Hinduism even today
The Vedas

6. Upanishads Ramayana, Mahabharata
Sacred texts that built upon the Vedas appeared
Some, such as Upanishads, also believed to have been revealed rather than written by people
Upanishads philosophical reflections on the Vedas, dealing with nature of world, meaning of life
Ramayana, Mahabharata
Other sacred texts based on themes in the Vedas, but composed by sages, including two epic poems, Ramayana and Mahabharata
Each tells story, reflects on living according to Vedic teachings
Included in Mahabharata, most sacred of all Hindu texts, the Bhagavad Gita, addressing many aspects of Hindu belief, philosophy

7. Hindu Religious Practices
Hindu beliefs vary widely, religious practices vary as well; worship can take place anywhere
At temples, priests might recite, read portions of the Vedas; image of a deva sometimes carried out of temple to people
At home, food, drink, gifts offered for deva; meditation, silent reflection
Worship
To help meditate, Hindus practice series of integrated physical, mental exercises called yoga
Yoga teaches people how to focus bodies, minds to aid meditation, help attain moksha
Hindus also make pilgrimages to Ganges River to purify, remove bad karma
Meditation, Pilgrimages

8. Jainism New Religion Ritual Unnecessary Nonviolence
500 BC, group of Hindus broke away, founded new religion called Jainism
Led by teacher Mahavira, Jains thought most Hindus put too much emphasis on ritual
Ritual Unnecessary
Jains thought ritual unnecessary
People could achieve moksha by giving up worldly things, carefully controlling actions
Nonviolence
Central to Jain teaching, idea of ahimsa, nonviolence
Most Hindus also practiced ahimsa, but not to same extent
Jains carefully avoid harming living creatures, are usually vegetarians

9. Other Traits Lifestyle Principles Jains promise to tell only truth
Avoid stealing
Strive to eliminate greed, anger, prejudice, gossip from lives
These things can prevent person from achieving moksha
Most devout become monks, nuns, give up possessions
Live outdoors, seek shelter only during rainy months
Cover mouths with masks, sweep ground to avoid accidentally killing insects
Lifestyle
Most Jains not monks, nuns
Pledge to uphold principles of ahimsa, have careers that do not involve harming of animals
Jainism calls for periodic fasting, especially during festivals, on holy days; limiting worldly possessions
Principles