Download Hinduism: A Way of Life

Hinduism:
A Way of Life
Hinduism Basics
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World’s oldest organized religion.
1 billion followers.
Does NOT have a specific founder, beginnings
lie in the tradition of the Vedas.
It appears polytheistic, but it is not….
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Gods are merely different forms of the supreme
god Brahman.
Hinduism is complex, sometimes
contradictory, and reveals the nature of life.
Sacred Texts
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The Vedas ~ Contain eternal truths that were
revealed to wise men during the Vedic Age.
The Upanishads ~ Help to explain the ideas in
the Vedas.
Ramayana
Epics used to explain moral laws
of Hinduism as well as law codes.
Mahabharata
Brahman
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The nameless, formless and unlimited
basic divine essence that fills the world.
All other Hindu gods and goddesses are
forms of this one supreme god.
Only a few people can truly understand
Brahman.
Overview of Hindu Gods/Goddesses
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There are thousands of Hindu
gods/goddesses.
We will focus on:
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2.
3.
4.
5.
Brahma
Vishnu
Siva/Shiva
Ganesh
Hanuman
The Hindu Trinity
Brahma
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The “Creator” God
Creates the cycle of light and dark throughout
the day.
 Create the world and the human race by
creating a goddess out of himself.
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Usually shown with four heads, (and
sometimes) 4 faces and arms.
Usually holds the 4 Vedas.
Vishnu
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Preserver and protector of creation.
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Preserves the universe and maintains cosmic
order.
Embodiment of mercy and goodness.
 Vishnu is seen in many different
manifestations
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Forms of the same god
Siva (Shiva)
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The destroyer of the world.
The god of change, which can be good.
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Goddess Ganga is trapped
In Shiva’s hair to prevent
The Ganges River from
Flooding the world.
Getting rid of bad habits.
Often represented in dance to represent the
creation and destruction of universe
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Cycle of birth, death and re-birth
Final destruction of creation.
Crushes the demon of ignorance.
Ganesh (Ganesha)
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Human form with the head of
an Indian elephant
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Large head symbolizes wisdom
and understanding.
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Symbolizes perfection
Trunk = Strength
Right Tusk = Wisdom
Broken Left Tusk = Emotion
Conquer emotion with wisdom
to attain perfection.
Atman
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The essence of an individual person
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Each person’s atman (soul) is part of a larger,
universal soul.
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Similar to the concept of a “soul.”
All humans are part of the same soul.
Because of this, atman and brahman are one
and cannot be divided.
What is this a picture of?
Maya
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The world known to our senses is an illusion.
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Our senses will deceive us
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We can be delivered from suffering if we can
identify maya. (The illusions.)
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Will bring us sorrow and pain.
Unfortunately this can take lifetimes.
People suffer from pain and sorrow because
they pursue false goals, material riches and
personal pleasure.
Role of Animals in Hinduism
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Cows are seen as sacred
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They provide the power for the plow, food,
fuel and fertilizer.
50% of Hindus are vegetarian.
Not a requirement for Hinduism
 Recommended as a “purifying lifestyle.”
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Role of Animals in Hinduism
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Other animals play a key role in Hinduism.
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Elephant, Monkeys, Turtles, Tigers, Snakes,
Crocodiles, Rats, etc
Hindus have a strong belief in the
sacredness of all forms of life
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Many of their deities take the form of animals.
Sacredness of all life. . .
Reincarnation
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Official name is “Samsara”
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Refers to the rebirth of the soul, or when the soul
enters the body of another being
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Cycle of birth, death and re-birth.
Either human or animal
This stresses the importance of respecting all life
forms.
The GOAL is to reach MOKSHA
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Free the soul from the cycle of reincarnation & the
soul can unite with Brahman.
Dharma
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The fulfillment of one’s moral DUTY in this
life so that the soul can make progress toward
Moksha in the next life.
DUTIES & OBLIGATIONS refer to:
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Obedience to caste rules and moral laws.
Offer hope of a better life in the future.
Encourage Hindus to behave morally.
Karma
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Comes from the Sanskrit word for “To do”
It is the positive or negative force generated by
a person’s actions that will determine his/her
status in the next life.
Good deeds bring you happiness; evil deeds
will bring you sorrow.
A person’s present situation is a result of deeds
or misdeeds done in a past existence.
How does KARMA work?
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People who fulfill their dharma are rewarded
with good karma and are reborn into a higher
social group.
If you don’t live a moral life, you will be reborn
into a lower social group, or potentially animals
or insects.
Do we see any examples of this in U.S. society?
The Goals of a Good Hindu:
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Fulfill your DHARMA.
Be rewarded with good KARMA.
End cycle of SAMSARA (Reincarnation).
Attain salvation (Be saved by Brahman).
Enable your soul to reunite with the universal
spirit, Brahman. This would be MOKSHA.
Why is the Ganges sacred?
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Ganges is believed to
be “life-giving”
water.
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Bathing in its water
washes away sin.
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To die along the
banks assures eternal
peace to the soul.
Funeral Rituals
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For married persons,
cremation is the
norm.
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Usually cremated on the
bank of a river and the
ashes are deposited in
the river.
Family members remain
in the home for 10 days
(the length of time it
takes for the soul of the
deceased to acquire a
new body).
Hindu Temples
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The interior is highly decorated and colorful.
Idols to the Hindu gods are prominently
displayed.
This is a house of worship, prayer and
meditation.
Hinduism and the Swastika
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Holy symbol that represents
the creator god, Brahma.
It points in all 4 cardinal
directions: N,S,E,W
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Represents stability and
groundedness
Used as a decoration for
religious purposes.
Hinduism and the Swastika
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Used to decorate temples, signs,
and altars.
The use by Nazi went against
the original intent.
Ancient Hindus used it for
almost 5,000 years before
Nazism even existed.
The Bindi
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The bindi is a colored dot
It symbolizes the “Third Eye”
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Generally worn by women
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Focuses inward toward God.
Black representing that you are single and Red that
you are married.
Nowadays, any color is accepted and is
sometimes simply matched to clothing to
be fashionable.
YOGA!
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Physical and mental
discipline to harmonize the
body and the soul.
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Goal is to shut out the
illusionary world of maya
and free the mind of bodily
concerns.