Download Hinduism honors JDR (KAF modified 4-25-07).

Hinduism- “I have been born
more times then anybody except
Krishna”-Mark Twain
Hinduism is the Chief religion
in India
Pre-class
• After you die, if you could come
back as any living thing, what
would it be? And Why?
• India has two
million gods, and
worships them all.
In religion all other
countries are
paupers; India is
the only
millionaire.
- Following the
Equator, Mark
Twain
Hinduism cont.
• Hinduism is the
Chief Religion
of India
• Hinduism has
its roots in
Aryan beliefs
and practices
Hinduism
• Hinduism has
no founder
• Nor does it
have a formal
church.
Sacred Texts
• Hindu beliefs are recorded in Sacred
texts.
• Most important texts are: 1. Vedas, 2.
Upanishads.
Vedas
• The Vedas comes from the Aryan culture.
• The Vedas includes hymns, prayers, and
rituals used in religious ceremonies.
• They were composed between 1500 B.C.
and 1000 B.C.
Maya
• The illusion, that
must be
recognized for
Hindus to gain
Salvation. Can
take many lives
to see this.
Brahman
• Hindus worship
many gods, but
they are all part
of “Brahman.”
• It is a shapeless
formless,
nameless,
unlimited
entity.
Brahman continued
• 3 main gods of
Hinduism
• 1. BrahmaCreator
• 2. Vishnupreserver
• 3. Siva-destroyer
Atman
• Hindus believe that every person
has an essential self, or ATMAN.
• Every living thing is part of the
same universal soul.
• Hindus stress respect of nature, and
non-violence.
Explained in the Upanishads
• “The essential self or the vital essence in
humans is the same as that in an ant, the
same as that in a gnat, the same as that in an
elephant … indeed the same as that in the
whole universe.”
Monism
• All things in the
universe are of
the same essence
as God.
• Unity of God and
creation.
Moksha/Nirvana
• The true goal of life
according to Hindus
is “Moksha,” a
freeing of the soul
from the body so the
soul can unite with
brahman. Pursuing
false goals, can block
Moksha.
Reincarnation
• Hindus believe that moksha can
not be achieved in one lifetime.
• Hindus believe that people undergo
a rebirth of the soul in various
forms. After the body dies the soul
can be reborn as anything.
• Cycle of death
continues for
Hindus, until
soul reaches
brahman.
• Whether a soul
reaches a Union
with brahman
depends on law
of Karma.
Karma-law of Karma
• Every deed, mental
or physical, in this
life affects a
person’s fate in a
future life.
– A person’s present
situation is the result
of his or her deeds in
a past existence
• Good deeds
result
eventually in
happiness, bad
deeds result in
sorrow.
Ritual Bathing in the Ganges
Bathing in the Ganges
• Ganges river is considered holy and
pure.
• People take pilgrimages from all
over India to bathe in its waters and
often take bottles of it home to use in
family worship.
Pilgrimage at
Varanasi
The Naga Sadhus, the most
revered sect of Hindu holy men
The waters are believed to have
special powers
Hinduism and the Caste System
• Most Hindus believe that a person’s
caste is the result of karma.
– Both high-caste and low-caste
Hindus accept the idea that one’s
deeds in past lives are responsible
for one’s present position in society.
– Believe that the Brahmans (highest
caste) are closest to moksha.
Dharma
• Each caste has their own
dharma
– Duties and obligations
• Obedience to caste rules
as well as to moral laws.
– People can improve their
position in the next life by
carrying out their duties in
this life.
Dharma
• Dharma influences Indian life in many
ways
– Provides hope for a better life in the
future.
– Knowledge that their future life
depends on their past deeply
encourages Hindus to behave morally.
YOGA- mental and physical exercises
to bring the body and mind together.
Cows are sacred, provide power, milk,
butter