1. Hinduism

2. It is an accretive religion:
it absorbs and venerates old traditions
assimilates traditions of other people
allows for new discoveries
Molds together the old and the new

3. Origins Heavily influenced by the Vedic faith
Burning offerings (fire sacrifices) sent messages to the gods and kept the gods happy
The people doing the sacrifices became significant
Caste system is embedded in Hinduism

4. Six Questions About Hinduism… and Six Answers

5. Question #1 Is Hinduism monotheistic or polytheistic?
Both…and neither!
Hindus all believe in one supreme god, so in this way they are monotheistic.
The supreme god created many gods to be his helpers, so in this way they are polytheistic

6. Beliefs and Philosophies
Henotheistic – Worship one god without denying the existence of others.
Corporation/business
Attendings
Chief of Medicine
“The Todd”

7. Beliefs and Philosophies
Henotheistic – Worship one god without denying the existence of others.
Corporation/business
Boss

8. Question #2 Do Hindus believe in reincarnation?
Yes – Carnate means “of flesh” and reincarnate means “re-enter the flesh.”
Soul evolves from immaturity to spiritual illumination.
Soul is immortal and inhabits one body after another

9. Beliefs and Philosophies
Reincarnation
Samsara – cycle of rebirth
Transitions from one stage to another guided by karma
When the body dies, the soul lives on.
Don’t go straight to rebirth – astral plane until rebirth.
The soul (atman) is an expression of the Ultimate, or brahman – all beings.
“You (atman) are that (brahman)”
Once dharma and karma are fulfilled, the soul is liberated (moksha) from the physical world.
Continue to evolve in the spiritual world.

10. Rebirth in a high caste is essential for achieving moksha
There are too many distractions in other castes to achieve moksha
You must have access to rituals (purification) to achieve moksha
Atman merges with brahman

11. Question #3 What is Karma?
The universal principle of cause and effect.
Actions – good and bad – come back to us in the future.
Help us learn life’s lessons and become better people
Newton’s law/Gravity – self-governing and fair
“Plant the seed for fruit in the future.”

12. Beliefs and Philosophies
Karma (continued) – puts everyone at the center of responsibility for everything they do and everything that is done to them.
The most important karma is the karma comes to fruition in the next rebirth
Dharma (duty)
A person who does his/her proper duty creates the karma to move up in the caste system
Rituals are performed to purify and to make good karma,

13. Question #4 What animal do Hindus view as sacred?
Traditionally, all animals!
The cow is often the focus of this.
Cow gives more than it takes.

14. Question #5 Are Hindus forbidden to eat meat?
No – often choose vegetarianism to live with minimum of hurt to others – not all do this.
Ahisma – refraining from injuring physically, mentally, or emotionally anyone or any living creature.
No rigid “do’s and don’ts” – no Commandments.
Priests – vegetarians to remain pure.

15. Question #6 Why do some Hindus wear a marking in the middle of their forehead?
Bindi – divine sight – third eye of spiritual sight to see what the physical eyes cannot – “mind’s eye.”
Modern Hindu women may wear this as a mark of beauty.
Colors have different meaning (Red=Marriage; Black= Ward off evil)

16. “Dissolution/Recreation”
Deities
Brahman
“Supreme Being”
“Dissolution/Recreation”
Shiva
“Creation”
Brahma
“Preservation”
Vishnu
“Hindu Trinity”

17. BRAHMA
I Spy…

18. VISHNU
I Spy…

19. SHIVA
I Spy…

20. Deities Bhakti Practice of devotionalism to the gods
Those who show this devotional love are rewarded with large amounts of good karma.