Download Hinduism

Hinduism
History
 Most Hindus live in India
 Originated approximately 4000 years ago
 One of the world’s oldest religions
 Came out of the early Indus Valley Civilization
 Four early books about
Indus Valley religion are
called the Vedas
 Hinduism comes from the
Vedic writings and beliefs
(Later re-written as the
Upanishads)
Basic Beliefs
 There is no prophet
 There is no one religious book
 Developed over many hundreds of years – no
founder
 Open to different beliefs
“Truth is one, the
wise perceive it in
many ways.”
Gods & Goddesses
• There are many gods and goddesses
• They are all different forms of Brahma (the Universal
Spirit)
• 3 major ways the Universal Spirit is seen:
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Brahma – Creator of the World
Vishnu – Has kept the universe going for 432 million years
Shiva – Destroys the universe to begin the cycle again
Brahma
 Creator of the Universe
 Creator of all living things
 Four heads
 Not as popular today
Vishnu
• Very kindly nature
• Descends to earth whenever
a catastrophe occurs
• Usually shown with 4 arms
• -reaching into all directions
• -contains important
symbols
Krishna
 One of the AVATARS of
Vishnu.
 One of the most popular of
the Hindu Gods
 Oversees love (both of God
and of People)
 Played the flute
Shiva
• Stays separate from people
• Drinks the sin of people
• Has a 3rd eye to show an
extra level of wisdom
Lakshmi
• Accompanies Vishnu
• Goddess of wealth and
prosperity
• Holds lotus flowers to
represent beauty
• Four hands represents:
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Kama (desires)
Dharma (duties)
Artha (wealth)
Moksha (liberation from the cycle
of birth and death)
Ganesh
• Son of Parvati and Shiva
• Shiva cut off his head
• The head of an elephant
was attached to the boy’s
body
• God of wisdom and
learning
• Vehicle is the rat