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Hinduism
Hinduism is the religion of the majority of people in
India and Nepal (80% Hinduism and 20% Islam).
There are 900 million practicing hindus today.
Hinduism did not originate from one founder or
figure.
Hinduism doesn’t just have one sacred text, it has
many.
Hinduism doesn’t propose adoring just one god.
Hindus may adore Shiva, Vishnu, Rama, Khrishna,
or any of the thousands of gods and goddesses that
are manifestations of Brahma, the supreme
being/soul of the universe.
Hinduism originated in the
brahmanism of the aryans
Brahmanism is the ancient religion of the Aryans.
The Aryans were indo-european, nomadic tribes
that left their lands of origin and traveled east to
India around the year 1500 B.C.E.
The Aryans lived in clans (groups) and shepherded
cattle, sheep, and goats.
They were warriors who rode wheeled war
carriages pulled by horses.
They fought with long bows, arrows, and axes made
of bronze.
Aryan Invasions
When the Aryans arrived through the Khyber Pass
in the Hindu Kush Mountains, the ancient
civilizations of Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro were
already in ruins.
The Aryans arrived in India gradually.
The Aryan religion (Brahmanism) and the Aryan
language (Sanskrit) spread.
A mixed or blended culture began.
The Caste System
The 3 Aryan social classes became castes.
A caste is a social class whose members are identified by
the work they perform. The workers were organized into 4
categories:
Brahmins: priests, scholars, teachers
Kshatriyas: leaders, nobles, warriors
Vaisya: bankers, merchants, and farmers
Shudra: artisans and laborers
The Untouchables were considered so inferior that they were
not even considered a caste.
The Castes
Brahmanism
Aryan priests were called brahmins.
The Aryans adored many different nature gods.
They made sacrifices in honor of those gods.
They conducted ceremonies, rituals, and sang
hymns.
The Aryan hymns are found in ancient texts written
in the Sanskrit language. These texts are called
Vedas.
A Supreme Being
Hindus believe that the qualities and forms of that supreme
being are represented by a multitude of gods that originate
from that supreme being.
This Supreme Power, or divine force, called Brahman is
present in all creatures. Everything in the world is part of
Brahman, including the soul, or atman.
This Supreme Being is constantly changing.
This Supreme Being is responsible for creation, protection,
and destruction of the world. The three most important
deities, or trimurti, represent the responsibilities of this
Supreme Being.
Brahma, the First Deity
of the Triumvirate
Brahma is the first god of this
triumvirate. Brahma’s responsibility is
to create the world and all its creatures.
Brahma is one of the least adored
Hindu gods,
There are only 2 temples in all India
dedicated to Brahma.
Brahma has 4 heads, 4 arms, and a
beard.
Brahma’s wife is the Goddess
Saraswati, the Goddess of Knowledge.
The Second God of the Triumvirate:
Vishnu
Vishnu preserves or protects
the universe. Vishnu
returns to Earth during difficult times and restores
the balance between good and evil.
Vishnu has “appeared” or manifested 9 times.
Hindus believe that Vishnu will re-manifest or reincarnate one more time before the end of the
world.
Vishnu is associated with light and the sun, and is
considered one of the most important gods.
Vishnu has human form, blue skin, and 4 arms. His
hands carry objects: a shell, a disc, a lotus flower,
and a mace.
Lakshimi, his partner, is the Goddess of Riches and
Fertility.
Shiva, the Destructor
Third God of the Triumvirate
Shiva’s role is to destroy the universe and
to re-create it again. Shiva opens the path
to positive change.
Shiva is the source of good and evil. Shiva
has extreme behaviors.
Shiva’s wife is the Goddess Parvati
(Gauri), and his son is Ganesh, the God of
Wisdom and Remover of Obstacles.
Shiva has a blue face and white body. He
also has a third eye, a cobra collar, a
trident, and a vibhuti=three lines on his
forehead.
Reincarnation=
many lives
Hindus believe in reincarnation which signifies that
a person has many lives.
What a person does in each life determines what
that person will be in the next life. This is called
“karma.”
Reincarnation is a repetitive cycle of birth, life,
death, and rebirth. This cycle is called “samsara.”
The cycle of reincarnation ends when one achieves
a mystical reunion with Brahman, the supreme force
in the universe.
The Path to God
Each person’s path has to do with that person’s
dharma (law, obligation, and duty). These duties
involved a type of work, i.e. warrior, shepherd,
merchant.
Hindus believe that when everyone follows their
dharma, society will be in harmony.
Hinduism values marriage, sharing food with others,
and caring for one’s soul. Another value is nonviolence.
Ways to unite with Brahman: behave correctly,
perform social duties, go on pilgrimages, meditate,
perform breathing exercises, do yoga.