Download What is Hinduism?

HINDU BASICS
World’s oldest religion
Sanatana Dharma - "eternal religion“
No founder
3rd largest religion (+950 million)
India / Nepal
Muslims 1st to use word “Hindu”
Indians who did not convert to Islam
Kumbha Mela
largest religious pilgrimage in the world
100 million – 2013
HINDU BASICS
Indus River Valley Civilization
5000 years ago
Aryans migrated – mixed with natives
Vedic Tradition develops into Hinduism
Henotheism
Many deities but a single, impersonal Ultimate Reality
Brahman (no form, eternal, creator)
Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva
Brahman is in every living thing – “Atman”
Goal – Reunite with Brahman
“All Paths Lead to Heaven”
“Truth is one, Sages call it by different names"
Influenced Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism
• SWASTIKA
HINDU BASICS
– Symbol of good fortune
– Nazis adopted because they felt it was an
aryan symbol indicating racial
purity/superiority
• POTTU
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Denotes happiness/well-being
Red dot = married woman
Black dot = ward off evil spirits
Yellow dot = worn during prayers
Heighten spiritual awareness
• AUM
– Sacred symbol of Brahman
– Chanted during meditation
And we too are manifest forms of
God!
“We are not human beings
having spiritual experiences;
We are spiritual beings
having a human experience!”
“That art Thou”