Download Hinduism

FOUNDERS
There is no specific
founder but the one who
received sacred text is
Manu. Manu is considered
the founder of tradition in
Hinduism. Some say that
the founder of core
philosophical beliefs
Shankara Acharya.
Shankara Acharya
Manu
HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF FOUNDING
BACK IN…
THE STORY
☺There isn’t an exact date
for the beginning of
Hinduism but roughly 2000
B.C. is believed to have been
the beginning. The
beginnings of Hinduism are
impossible to determine
because it has evolved so
much.
The Om- it is like
the cross is to
Christians. Om is in
every Hindu prayer.
The symbol
represents the
Absolute (the
source of all
existence)
The Swastika- is an
important pictorial
character. It symbolizes
eternal nature of Brahman
the Absolute because it
points in all directions.
The term swastika is
made of two Sanskrit
words ‘Su’ meaning good
and ‘Asati’ which means
to exist. In ancient times
forts were built in the
shape of a swastika for
defense reasons making it
sanctified and protective.
The Saffron Colorthis color reflects
the color of fire
which reminds
them of the
Supreme Being.
The Hindu origin
had fire worship
festivals so fire
and it’s color are
very important to
them.
SYMBOLS
The Bindi- it is a dot worn on
women’s foreheads. Originally
it was worn on married Hindu
women’s foreheads to protect
them and their husbands.
They were traditionally made
of paste made of sandalwood,
sindoor, or turmeric. Now
commonly made with
vermilion. It also is used to
make a ‘third eye’ where the
attention during meditation is
focused. Now bindi is also an
accessory and is worn by
unmarried girls and non-Hindu
women also.
DEITIES
Brahma
• Considered
the creator
• Not
commonly
worshipped
Vishnu
• The
Preserver
• Incarnated
nine times
Shiva
• The
Destroyer or
The
Transformer
Hinduism is native to
India in the Indus
Valley and from the
Aryan race. This is the
modern day northeast
Afghanistan to
Pakistan and
northwest India.
About 14% of the world’s
population are Hindus.
HOW/ WHY DID THE RELIGION SPREAD?
Hinduism spread as people travelled through or to India as a trade route.
It was spread among India originally by nomadic tribes, who all had similar beliefs,
and Hinduism was formed when they combined their beliefs.
THERE ARE 4 MAIN HINDU SCRIPTURES. THEY
A R E T H E V E DA S, T H E R A M AYA NA , T H E
M A H A B H A R ATA , A N D T H E P U R A NA S. T H E
V E DA S I S A C O L L E C T I O N O F H Y M N S P R A I S I N G
T H E V E D I C G O D S. V E DA M E A N S K N OW L E D G E .
T H E R A M AYA NA A R E L O N G P O E M S A B O U T
R A M A A N D S I TA . T H E M A NA B H A R ATA
I N C LU D E S T H E B H AG A R A D G I TA . T H E PA R A NA S
I N C A R NAT I O N S A N D T H E L I V E S O F S A I N T S.
PLACES OF WORSHIP
☻
Puja (worship) takes place
in Mandir (temple).
Mandirs can be small
village shrines to large
buildings surrounded by
walls people can visit the
Mandir at anytime to pray
and participate in
bhanjans (religious
songs). Peoples also
worship at home and
often have a special room
with a shrine to particular
gods.
☻
The largest Hindu temple
is Angkor Wat. It is
820,000 m^2 and is in
Angkor, Cambodia. It was
built for king Suryavarman
II in the 12th century. It
was his temple and the
capitol city. It is the best
preserved Hindu place of
worship there. It is the
world’s largest religious
building.
ROLE OF MEN/WOMEN
MEN
WOMEN
Men are often seen as
the breadwinners of the
household.
They are also supposed
to protect their wives,
mothers, and daughters.
Main participants in
religious events.
Women are left at home
to take care of their
children and in-laws
Supposed to serve their
husband.
Not usually allowed to
participate in major
religious events.
MORE ON THE ROLES OF WOMEN
Women are reliant on men their whole lives. As
children, they are protected by their fathers, as
adults, they are taken care of by their husbands, and
as widows their sons take care of them.
A woman’s karma is said to be reflected in her
husband, so widows are generally treated poorly.
HOLY SITES AND WHY
Prayag, Haridwar, Nashik, and Ujjain are considered holy places.
All are in India.
Holidays
Kumbh Mela
Holi
Mahashivaratri
Rama Navami
Krishna Jayanti
Raksābandhana
Ganesha-Chaturthi (Ganesha Utsava)
Dassera
Navaratri
Diwali
Karma
Reincarnation
Dharma
The Caste System
The Manu