1. HINDU BASICS World’s oldest religion  Sanatana Dharma - "eternal religion“ No founder 3 rd largest religion (+950 million)  India / Nepal Muslims 1 st to use word “Hindu”  Indians who did not convert to Islam Kumbha Mela  largest religious pilgrimage in the world  100 million – 2013

3. Indus River Valley Civilization  5000 years ago  Aryans migrated – mixed with natives  Vedic Tradition develops into Hinduism Henotheism  Many deities but a single, impersonal Ultimate Reality  Brahman (no form, eternal, creator)  Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva  Brahman is in every living thing – “Atman”  Goal – Reunite with Brahman “All Paths Lead to Heaven” “Truth is one, Sages call it by different names" Influenced Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism HINDU BASICS

4. SWASTIKA – Symbol of good fortune – Nazis adopted because they felt it was an aryan symbol indicating racial purity/superiority POTTU – Denotes happiness/well-being – Red dot = married woman – Black dot = ward off evil spirits – Yellow dot = worn during prayers – Heighten spiritual awareness AUM – Sacred symbol of Brahman – Chanted during meditation HINDU BASICS

5. And we too are manifest forms of God! “We are not human beings having spiritual experiences; We are spiritual beings having a human experience!” “That art Thou”