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HINDUISM
Chapter 4
The Origins
• The name Hindu is universally accepted as the word that
refers to the indigenous religion of India.
• Hindu, however, is not of Indian, but Persian origin.
• Hinduism was not founded by any one person and
because of this, it absorbed the ideas and practices that
suited its cultural framework as it evolved over thousands
of years.
• Vedas is considered Hinduism’s earliest sacred writings.
• Intro video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGV6M4wQ8Os
Beliefs
• Agni the worship of fire, Hindus believe it is the link
between gods and humans.
• Atman the human soul, often this term would be part of
philosophical discussions. Closely related to Vayu, the
god of wind or air, the atman is considered to be the
“breath” of human life.
• Hinduism is a dogmatic religion, meaning one is free to
worship any set of doctrines or rules, it does not impose
religious beliefs on others.
Brahman
• Brahman is the supreme being in Hinduism. Brahman is
an entity or soul of the universe from which all existing
things arise and into which they return.
• This supreme being is divine, invisible, unlimited
and indescribable. Brahman is an entity without
form and Hindus are free to imagine Him, Her or
Them in any way that is meaningful to them,
• This is a supreme entity, not really a ‘god’
Hindu Deities
• These are the most prevalent manifestations of Brahman:
• Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva who are often depicted
together as one concept called the Hindu Trinity.
Hindu Deities
• Brahma the creator of the
universe, he has four faces
and is seated on a lotus. He
holds a book, a rosary and a
gourd, although this god is an
important part of the Hindu
Trinity, he is not as widely
worshiped as Shiva and
Vishnu.
Hindu Deities
• Vishnu is the preserver of the
universe and is therefore loving
and forgiving. Vishnu has four
arms in which he holds a conch
shell, a discus, a lotus and a
mace.
• This god has many avatars or
incarnations and appears on
earth in the form of an animal or
human in order to conquer evil
and establish righteousness.
Hindu Deities
• Shiva is the destroyer and
restorer of the universe and is
associated with creative
energy.
• Shiva is considered a great
Yogi or spiritually involved
individual.
• Shiva holds and trident, a
rosary and a gourd in their
hands.
Hindu Deities
• Parvati is a mother goddess
whom Hindus worship as
Shakti, or female energy.
Rebirth and Reincarnation
• Samsara the endless cycle of rebirth or
reincarnation. In Hindu thought, the physical
world in which we live is temporary, ever
changing and artificial. This temporary effect is
referred to as Maya.
• The goal of Hindus is to achieve moksha or
liberation from the endless cycle of rebirths into
this world, and to unite the atman (human soul)
with the Brahman (universal entity).
Rebirth and Reincarnation
• Karma is the totality of one’s actions in life, it
determines the form the individual will take
when he or she is reborn.
Paths to salvation
• Bhakti yoga is one path to salvation (similar to prayer)
and involves devotion and love toward a personal deity
(god).
• There are also many other forms or paths of
salvation/practices.
• Dharma – Hindus refer to their religion often as Dharma
which means code of moral and righteous duty.
Caste system
Today, India’s Charter of Rights
bans discrimination on the basis
of gender, caste, race or
religion. The Indian government
has introduced a number of
social welfare programs and
economic initiatives to improve
the living conditions of those
who suffered as a result of the
caste system.
Mahatma Gandhi
• Religious beliefs based on
• Dharma – duty
• Satya – truth
• Ahimsa – non-violence
• Moksha – spiritual liberalization
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ept8hwPQQN
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Practices
• Om represents the power of Brahman, it is the chanting
that occurs at the beginning and the end of all Hindu
prayers
• Mantras are also chanted and they are sacred phrases
• “I meditate on the brilliance of the sun; may it
illuminate my intellect”
• “I am bountiful, I am beautiful, I am bliss”
Worship at home
• The most common form of home worship is called puja, a
form of Thanksgiving in which offerings are made to the
deities. Family members place all of the offerings on a
tray near the shrine and present them to the shrine of the
deity.
• Offerings include flowers, fruits, incense
sticks, water, milk, butter and a lamp.
• A traditional puja includes sixteen steps, and
it is usually performed by worshipers on
festival days and special occasions.
Worship at home
Worship at home
• At the end of the Puja the food that has been presented to
the god(s) is not necessarily wasted but shared among
those involved in the ceremony as a gift. This is called
prasad.
• Homa can also occur and this is when the offerings are
burned in a fire that has been blessed by a priest.
Significance of the Cow
• Most Hindus refrain from eating beef since they consider
the cow sacred to their culture and beliefs.
• “Holy cow” is a familiar expression that refers to
Hinduism’s reverence of cows. Hindus adore the cow as a
manifestation of all that is good an precious.
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgEk4dPImNI
Yoga and Meditation
• Yoga is the practice of combining the practice of
meditation with physical exercises and meditation to help
create a union with god.
• Meditation is the deep contemplation that leads to a
trance-like state in which the individual tries to become
one with the Brahman.
• Swamis are the experts of meditation, they are
considered the holt men of India who have dedicated their
lives to meditation.
Pilgrimage to the Ganges River
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqQ1zQ3Y5W8
Festivals - Diwali
• Festival of Lights
• Celebrated over five days at the end of October or
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beginning of November
Hindus set off fireworks, decorate their houses with lights,
give gifts and wear new clothes to celebrate the triumph
of good and knowledge over the dark forces of evil and
ignorance.
Puja, followed by lavish vegetarian dinners
Diwali honours Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and good
fortune, and Vishnu, who defeated the demon Naraka.
http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/diwali-lightsfestival
Festivals - Holi
• A spring festival, celebrated in March on the day of the
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last full-moon of the month in the Hindu calendar.
Night before there is a bonfire which signifies the burning
of the evil.
And during the day there is a colour ceremony/ event
using coloured water and powders.
This festival is connected to several Hindu legends.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaysqwFoVOE
Festivals - Mahashivaratri
• This event takes place on the day before the new moon,
during the month of February.
• Not really a festival or a feast…it is an event dedicated to
the devotion to the god Shiva.
• Devotees worship him, light candles, and fast for
24 hours. Those who are unable to fast eat light
vegetarian meals.
• Between midnight and sunrise, devotees worship
him by repeating his name and by placing
flowers and grains on his image.
• Water is also poured in a steady stream over his
image from a copper vessel.
Festivals - Navaratri
• nine nights festival held in the spring and fall
• On the first three nights Hindus worship the goddess
Durga who washes away laziness and evil thoughts.
• The next three nights with a mind better prepared for
spiritual guidance, they offer puja to Lakshmi, the goddess
of wealth and fortune.
• The final three nights are dedicated to Saraswati, the god
of knowledge and learning.
• On the tenth day, worshipers observe Vijayadasami or the
Day of Victory.
Milestones
• Hindus often say that life is a series of events or steps
from birth to death or from “conception to cremation.”
• Each rite of passage is called a Samskara.
• Priests officiate at all of these rites, which are often
attended by friends and family.
• Naming of a child
• Traditionally done by a priest ten days after birth,
now more informal in non-orthodox groups and
usually more of a social gathering.
Milestones
• A child’s first outing
• Parents and child bathe and wear new clothes and
venture outside of the home to meet neighbors.
This can depend on baby and mother’s health and
weather.
• Parents apply a dab of soot on baby’s forehead to
protect from evil.
• With baby in the arms of the parents, they say a
simple prayer to the deities and then take the baby
out for a short walk.
Milestones
• First solid food
• 7-8 months after birth depending on child’s health
• On the day of ceremony parents recite a special
prayer
• Small portion of boiled rice mixed with butter and
honey
Milestones
• First haircut
• Between 6-8 months the hair of baby boys is cut at
the barber…
• Completely shaved except for a small tuft of
hair at front
• Thread initiation ceremony (Upanayana)
• Two day ceremony for boys entering school/schoolage where chanting occurs and a thread is worn
over one shoulder.
Milestones
• Marriage
• Arranged marriages are common in India but in the
West marriage focuses more on love. Both
families/parents are heavily involved.
• Engagement is a family event as it will bond the two
families.
• The wedding date and ceremony are carefully
selected and planned and usually the ceremony
lasts approximately 3 hours.
• Bride is given a necklace or string that she wear
around her neck for the rest of her married life.
• Ceremony is followed by a grand feast, dancing,
drumming, fireworks etc.
Milestones
• Death and cremation
• Solemn ceremony with cremation fire takes place
under the direction of a priest.
• Flowers, hymns etc. are present.
• The oldest son initiates the cremation and ashes
are scatter in the rivers of India or other bodies of
water.
• 10/11 days after friends and family gather for a
feast.
Milestones
• Death anniversary
• Priest recites religious rights and the family meets
for a meal.
Sacred writings
• Shruti is a sacred writing in which knowledge is revealed
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or discovered
Smriti is human-made literature or knowledge that is
remembered
The four Vedas are considered the oldest and most
authoritative Hindu scriptures.
Ramayana and the Mahabharata are popular religious
stories/texts
Include stories about Rama who is worshipped
throughout the Hindu world as a 7th incarnation or advatar
of God Vishnu.
Groups
• Shaivism are worshipers of Shiva and his many forms.
• Vaishnavism are worshipers of Vishnu and his many
forms.
• Arya Samaj is a movement/group founded in 1875 where
the people do not select a particular god. This group
focuses more on worship during fire ceremonies.
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