1. Title: Hinduism Lo’s: -Distinguish between polytheism and monotheism -Identify important Hindu Gods -Present the Hindu understanding of reincarnation and of concepts connected with it.

2.  a single founder,  a specific theological system,  a single concept of deity,  a single holy text,  a single system of morality,  a central religious authority,  the concept of a prophet. Hinduism differs from Christianity and other monotheistic religions in that it does not have:

3.  Hinduism is not a religion in the same sense as Christianity is; it is more like a way of life.  This idea does not stop others from classifying Hindu as their main ‘religion’.  Hinduism is classified the main religion to the majority of people in India and Nepal, with about 80% of the Indian population regarding themselves as Hindu.  It also exists among significant populations outside of the sub continent and has over 900 million followers worldwide. (3 rd largest religion) What does this mean?

4.  “Thousands of different religious groups that have evolved in India since 1500 BCE."  Because of the wide variety of Hindu traditions, freedom of belief and practice are features of Hinduism.  Q: Can we think of any reasons why Hinduism might be so appealing to so many people? Who are these people you ask?

5. Thirty-Three Million…  33 million deities (some believe they make up one ultimate reality)  3 most important Brahma (creator), Vishnu (the preserver), Shiva (the Destroyer)

6. Reincarnation  Based around the soul (atman)  It takes on a new life within a new body  Samsara : the continual process of birth and rebirth  Karma : the term refers to the consequences to our actions (what a person does in this life effects the next life)  Moksha is the goal – liberation from samsara

7. Yoga  Meditation is a key means of achieving moksha  Yoga is a term that means ‘unity’  Yoga is a way of experiencing a sense of unity with the divine  Popular in the west because of its difficult physical techniques and postures

8. Bhagavadgita (bah gah vahd gee-tuh)  Most famous religious text Bhagavadgita –Song of the Lord)  A poem of a conversation that takes place on the eve of a great battle between Arjuna (warrior prince) and Lord Krisna (an incarnation of Vishnu)  Bhagavadgita recommends loving devotion to Krishna as the most effective path to moksha  In the west devotion to krishna known as the Hare Krishna movement, founded 1965.

9. Caste system  Hindu society organise into jati or caste  A social status inherited at birth (jati means birth)  Underlying caste is the belief that certain people and things are ‘unclean’ and threaten ‘purity’ of others  People are considered unclean if they are associate with a caste  occupations dealing with polluting things are unclean (barbers, undertakers)

10. Caste heirachy  Brahmins at top (priests)  Dalits at bottom (road sweepers, sewage workers  Dalits known as ‘untouchables’ – belief that coming into contact with their shadow is polluting  Caste system still operates in Hinduism particularly in marriage

11. Bindi  A red dot on the forehead is an auspicious sign of marriage and guarantees the social status and sanctity of the institution of marriage.  Men wear one when they pray  The red dot between the eyebrows is said to retain energy in the human body and control the various levels of concentration. It is also the central point of the base of the creation itself — symbolizing auspiciousness (prosperous) and good fortune.

12. Symbolism in Hinduism