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Basic Beliefs
Hinduism
World’s Oldest Religion
 Origins can’t be traced
 No human founder
 Some believe it existed in 10,000 B.C.
3rd Largest World Religion
What is Hinduism?
No “one Hinduism”
Way of Life
 Dharma
Law that governs all action
 Ethics and Duties

Cycle of Life
Samsara
 beginning less and endless cosmic evolutionary process
(universal and worldly)
 Rebirth
Karma


Law of cause and effect
Part of the Samsaric process
Cycle of Life
 Transmigration & Reincarnation of the soul (Jiva)
 Soul transmigrates from life to life until it relieves itself
from Karmic burden
 Moksha
 Spiritual Knowledge of True Self (Atman) and God
 Liberation from cycle of rebirth (union with Brahman)
 Everyone will achieve Moksha
Hindu Scriptures
 Shastras – collection of spiritual laws
 Two types



Shruti (heard) “cosmic sound of truth”
Smriti (memorized)
Scriptures divided into Vedas (common name)
Hindu Deities
 Polytheistic
 Thousands of gods and goddesses representing different
aspects of Brahman
 Brahman – One Supreme
 Trinity of Brahma (creator), Vishnu (preserver) and
Shiva (destroyer)
Hindu Gods
 Brahma
 The Creator
Hindu Gods
 Vishnu
 The Preserver
Hindu Gods
 Shiva
 The Destroyer
Hindu Gods
Brahma
Vishnu
Shiva
Ahimsa – practice of non-violence
 Belief that all life is sacred and should be
loved and revered
 Many are Vegetarians
 Responsible for the creation of such
original concepts and practices as Yoga,
Ayurveda, Vastu, Jyotish, Yajna, Puja,
Tantra, Vedanta, Karma, etc
Holi – Celebrates beginning of Spring
Sources
 http://hinduism.about.com/od/basics/p/hinduismbas
ics.htm