Download IV. Hinduism

Hinduism
Beginnings
Aboriginal – pre 6000 B.C.
Dravidian
Aryan (Indo-Europeans)
I. Hinduism
A. General Characteristics
1. mix of Aryan & Dravidian
beliefs
2. no single founder
3. monotheistic (brahman) or
polytheistic?
B. Vocabulary
Brahman: the universal spirit
dharma: code of conduct
karma: the idea that one’s deeds
will have an effect on this or
the next life
samsara: reincarnation or the cycle
of the soul’s birth and rebirth
moksha: release from samsara
(salvation)
atman: the soul of the individual
puja: daily worship of one or more
of the goddesses; one invites the
god with offerings and prayers
Hindu Trinity: Cyclical concept
of Time
Brahma – the Creator
Vishnu – the Preserver
Of Balance in the
Universe
Shiva – the Destructor
Who facilitates
rejuvenation
Creation
(Birth)
Preservation
(Life)
Recreation
(Rebirth)
Destruction
(Death)
Brahman
Creator
Part of Hindu
Trinity
Vishnu
Preservation
Operator
Part of Hindu
Trinity
Shiva
Destroyer
Part of the Hindu
Trinity
Ganesha
Elephant headed diety
Worshipped at the
start of new tasks
Not part of Hindu
trinity
Temples
Secular and Religious Art
D. Religious Texts
1. Vedas
2. Upanishads: a dialogue between a
sage and student; introduced
samsara (900 BC)
3. Mahabarata: story of 2 warring
families and how the gods
interacted