Download The Origins of Hinduism

The Origins of
Hinduism
The Hindu Gods And
Goddesses
Hinduism Basic Beliefs
The Hindu Gods And
Goddesses
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Considered the oldest
religion and one of the
three largest religions
Hinduism is a
combination of Aryan
and Indus Valley region
beliefs
Hinduism has evolved
over 3,500 years
Hinduism is
polytheistic and
worships both gods
and goddesses
The Hindu Gods And
Goddesses
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Over 108 Hindu Gods
They can take the
shape of humans and
animals
Most powerful of Hindu
gods are:
– Brahma, the creator
– Vishnu, the preserver
– Shiva, the destroyer
The Hindu Gods And
Goddesses
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Brahma is believed to
have been born of a
golden egg
He created earth and
everything on it
Vishnu protects and
guides humans on
earth
Sometimes he visits
earth to help people
through providing
advice and guidance
The Hindu Gods And
Goddesses
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Shiva, is the creator and
destroyer of life and earth
He is the most powerful
and important of Hindu
gods
Not concerned with
human matters or
concerns
He is married to Shakti
who intervenes in human
matters
Hinduism Basic Beliefs
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All teachings of Hinduism are
recorded in texts
Texts are written in sanskirt, a
language specifically used for
religious purposes
“Upanishads”, is a text in
Sanskrit that has a dialogue
between a students and
teachers of Hinduism
Upanishads address the
belief of reincarnation
Hinduism Basic Beliefs
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Reincarnation (Samsara) is
the belief that if you die your
soul goes into another body
If you were a good person
then you will be reborn in a
higher class than you
occupied
But if you were a bad person
you may come back as a poor
person or an animal
The lower your social rank the
harder you tried to guarantee
your position in life
Hinduism Basic Beliefs
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If you were a pure person
then your spirit goes to be
with Brahman
All Hindu’s must obey their
“dharma”
Dharma was a person’s
religious duties
A person’s dharma was
based on their age, class
and occupation
Hinduism Basic Beliefs
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If you obeyed your
dharma you moved closer
to Brahman
You also had to believe in
being nonviolent or
“ahimsa”
Hindus also do not eat
meat because they won’t
harm animals
Karma is the sum of all a
person has done and will
do
Hinduism Basic Beliefs
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Hindus can worship at a
temple or at home
Typically it is personal and
involves a shrine at home
were prayers and offerings
are made (fruit, flowers,
water or incense)
Families pray together
three times a day
Pilgrimages are important
to Hindus and they are
made to where their god
has appeared or originated