Download Hinduism

Hinduism is one of the oldest known
religions in the world, and is referred
to by Hindus as Sanatama Dharma,
meaning "eternal religion".
It is not known exactly when Hinduism
formed, but historians estimate
around 1500BC.
Hinduism grew from the Vedic tradition
(Vedism/Vedic Brahmanism, now called
Ancient Hinduism) of the Indus Valley
Civilization (3300–1300 BC).
Along with Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia,
the Indus Valley Civilisation was one of three
early civilizations of the Old World.
It extended from what is now
north-east Afghanistan to Pakistan
and north-west India.
Map of Ancient
civilisations
Indus Valley Civilisation:
Scriptures
Hinduism is focused on the Vedas
(ancient Vedic scriptures, meaning “knowledge/to
know”, which are believed to have been revealed
directly by the Supreme Being and past down by
word of mouth). They were first written down
in Sanskrit, an Indian language.
The Vedas are broken down into 4 collections –
Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda,
and Atharvaveda. Most of these are hymns/songs
with verses called mantra, which are still used in
contemporary Hindu prayer today.
Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism also
refer to Vedic scriptures, but do not
place as much importance on them
as Hinduism.
Examples of Vedic scriptures
•
‘Even the Heaven and the Earth bow down before him, before his very breath the
mountains tremble.’
•
‘Then was not non-existent nor existent: there was no realm of air, no sky beyond
it. What covered in, and where? and what gave shelter? Was water there,
unfathomed depth of water?
Death was not then, nor was there aught immortal: no sign was there, the day's
and night's divider. That One Thing, breathless, breathed by its own nature: apart
from it was nothing whatsoever.
Darkness there was: at first concealed in darkness this All was indiscriminated
chaos. All that existed then was void and form less: by the great power of Warmth
was born that Unit.’
•
‘Do not be led by others – awaken your own mind, amass your own experience,
and decide or yourself your own path.’
The Upanishads are also important scriptures used
in Hinduism. They are philosophical texts which
form the theoretical basis of Hinduism.
They are considered by Hindus to contain
sruti (revealed truths) concerning the nature
of Brahman (ultimate reality) and describe the
character and form of moksha (human salvation).
Gods
Hinduism is sometimes referred to
as henotheistic (ie. involving devotion
to a single god while accepting the
existence of others).
Hindus believe mainly in a Supreme Spirit,
called Brahman, from whom everything
came and to whom everything will return.
There are also various manifestations of
that supreme being:
Brahman – the creator
Brahman is the
all-pervasive
Supreme Being
who is both
immanent (existing)
and transcendent
(outside the real of
human experience),
both Creator and
Absolute Reality.
Vishnu – the preserver
Vishnu is the one
who supports,
sustains
and governs
the universe,
and originates
and develops all
elements within.
Can be
manifested as
the well-known
god, Krishna.
Shiva – the destroyer
Shiva is also
known as the
transformer,
and is regarded
as the patron
god of yoga
and arts.
Hindu Beliefs
• Hindus believe that there is a unity underlying
the entire creation. Your atman (soul), that
defines you as an individual, is a part of a larger
Atman/Brahman/ultimate reality.
• Everything is related to and interdependent on
one another. ‘Brahman’ is the ultimate and allpervading reality: the inner essence of all things.
(Einstein worked for decades on the Unified
Theory, an aspect of Brahman).
• Hindus believe that all life is sacred, to be loved
and revered, and therefore practice ahimsa,
“non-violence”.
• Hindus believe that the universe undergoes
Samsara (endless cycles of creation,
preservation and dissolution). All souls are
reincarnated until liberation from this cycle is
attained.
• Hindus believe in karma, the law of cause and
effect by which each individual creates his own
destiny by his thoughts, words and deeds. It is
karma that keeps souls trapped in samsara.
• The purpose of life – that is, the ultimate
goal – is to achieve moksha (freedom from
samsara and release into the ultimate
reality, like water droplets returning to the
ocean).
Hindus believe that no particular religion
teaches the only way to salvation above all
others, but that all genuine religious paths
are facets of ‘God's’ Pure Love and Light,
deserving tolerance and understanding.
Hindu Practices
• True reflection of the Hindu faith is expressed
in personal discipline, good conduct,
purification, pilgrimage, self-inquiry
and meditation.
• Daily worship, festivals and holy days,
religious duty, pilgrimage and participation in
sacraments are also observed.
Two main rituals were important in ancient Vedas:
1) Soma – a hotar (priest) would pour the juice of
a special plant (unknown), drinking it and pouring
it over the alter as a way to communicate with the
gods.
2) Fire ritual – animals were offered on the alter to
Agni, a fire god, so that they would be blessed by
the gods.
Hinduism in Modern Society
• Today some families still have a small
household fire to honour Agni.
• Ancient wedding ceremonies and the practice
of ceremonially cremating the dead are still
common Hindu practices.
• Temple worship and offerings still feature in
religious life.
The Indian flag uses Hindu symbolism. The top
saffron colour represents courage and
sacrifice; white represents truth, peace and
purity; and green represents prosperity.
The spinning wheel (charka) represents the
continuous, forward motion of Hinduism.
Hinduism is the world's third largest religion
after Christianity and Islam.
Just as Hinduism derived from ancient Vedic beliefs,
other religions have also been formed from
Hinduism.
Like other religions, modern Hinduism is split into
different denominations. The main four are
Saivism, Shaktism, Vaishnavism and Smartism.
Suhag Shukla tells us what it means
to be Hindu in today's world:
http://www.patheos.com/Library/Hinduism.html
Check out this website and others
to explore Hinduism further:
http://www.himalayanacademy.com/