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Hinduism
• One of the oldest known religions in the world.
• Unlike most other religions, Hinduism has: -No single founder
- No single scripture- No commonly agreed
upon set of teachings
Hinduism
• Because of the previous things mentioned, scholars often refer to Hinduism as a ‘way of life’ or a ‘family of religions.
•The term 'Hindu' was derived from the river or river complex of the northwest, the Sindhu.
•Sindhu is a Sanskrit word used by the inhabitants of the region, the Aryans (later used by other invaders to describe the land and its people).
Indus River
Principles of Indian Hinduism
• Karma - The law of moral causation; explains why certain people have certain lots in life.– Why are the poor
miserable? Why are the wealthy so comfortable?
– Our status is the result of our own past actions and our own present doings. We ourselves are responsible for our own happiness and misery.
Principles of Indian Hinduism
• Dharma – Natural universal
laws whose observance enables humans to be contented and happy, and to save oneself from degradation and suffering.
Principles of Indian Hinduism
• Examples of Dharma– nonviolence, not stealing,– truthfulness, refraining from
speaking a truth which hurts, refraining from backbiting
– control of anger and jealousy– practicing charity and
kindness to all,– practicing hospitality, etc.– "Treat your mother and father
as Gods.”
Principles of Indian Hinduism
• Samsara • The process of passing
from one body to another throughout all species of life.– Hindus believe that
consciousness is present in all life forms
– (1) aquatics, (2) plants, (3) reptiles and insects, (4) birds, (5) animals and (6) humans
Principles of Indian Hinduism
Around and around it goes, like Shiva the cosmic dancer.
Deat
h
Birth
RebirthSamsara or Reincarnatio
n
3 Major Texts of Hinduism
1. The Vedas– The oldest and most
important is the Hindu text• First in the form of oral
histories composed about 1500 BCE
• Then written in Sanskrit about 600 BCE
– It contains 4 books: with hymns, incantations, and rituals from ancient India.
3 major texts of Hinduism
2. The Bhagavad Gītā (400 BCE)–A poem describing a conversation
between a warrior Arjuna and the God Krishna.–700–verse scripture–Called the “Song of God”
3 major texts of Hinduism
3. The Upanishads (400 BCE)–They explain how the soul (Atman)
can be united with Brahman.• Through meditation and religious
instruction with a guru (or a teacher)
Polytheistic
• Hindus believe in many deities– These very interesting
looking gods are not to be taken literally
• The Big Guy: Brahman– The one supreme,
universal Spirit that is the origin and support of the universe; genderless
One illustration is that union with Brahman is like the merging of a drop of water (your Atman or soul) with the ocean (Brahman). One loses all
identity as he becomes part of Brahman.
Polytheistic
• After Brahman, The Hindu Trinity (“The Big 3”): –The triumvirate consists of three gods who are responsible for the creation, upkeep and destruction of the world. –Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva
The Trimurti of Hinduism
VishnuThe Preserver
BrahmaThe Creator
ShivaThe Destroyer
Brahma: The Creator
• He is the father of Manu, and from Manu all human beings are descended.– Not to be confused with
Brahman (The Big Guy)– He is clad in red
clothes. – is traditionally depicted
with four heads, four faces, and four arms…one for each of the 4 Vedas
Vishnu: The Preserver
• Brahma is the creator of the universe and Shiva is the destroyer. Vishnu is the preserver and protector of the universe.
• His role is to return to the earth in troubled times and restore the balance of good and evil.
• Vishnu is the essence of all beings, the master of and beyond the past, present and future.
Vishnu: The Preserver
• Human body, color of the clouds (blue colored) with four arms . – Conch: the sound this
produces 'Om', represents creation
– Chakra: symbolizes the mind (a wheel)
– Lotus flower: existence and freedom
– Mace: represents mental and physical strength
• Been reincarnated nine times ( only 1 more time)
Shiva: The Destroyer• Shiva is commonly known
as the God of Destruction, but it is more appropriate to call Shiva the God of Regeneration. – He is also associated with
procreation.– Infertile women will pray to
him in the hopes of bearing children.
• Also seen as the god of meditation and asceticism. – He will be depicted sitting
cross-legged with his eyes half-closed.
Shiva: The Destroyer
• Weapon: red trident
• Third eye• The Ganges River
flows from the matted hair
• Seated upon a tiger skin
• Garlanded with a snake
Dancing ShivaConveys the Indian conception of the never-ending cycle of time. Shiva's dance is set within a flaming halo. The god holds in his upper right hand the a drum that made the first sound Om. His upper left hand holds a fire that will destroy the universe. With his lower right hand, he makes a gesture that wards off fear. The dwarflike figure being trampled by his right foot ignorance. Shiva's front left hand, pointing to his raised left foot, signifies refuge for the troubled soul. The energy of his dance makes his hair fly to the sides. The symbols imply that, through belief in Shiva, his devotees can achieve salvation.
Ganesha: Elephant Headed
God• Elephant-deity riding
a mouse• Most popular Hindu
God• He is the lord of
success and destroyer of evils and obstacles.
• He is also worshipped as the god of knowledge, wisdom and wealth.
Kali: Dark Mother
• Goddess of time, doomsday, and death, or the black goddess.
• Kali is the killer of human ego.
• Although she looks violent and aggressive she is considered to be a reflection of a mother protecting her children from evil.
Kali: Dark Mother
• Characterized as black or blue, partially or completely naked, with a long lolling tongue, multiple arms, a skirt or girdle of human arms, a necklace of decapitated heads, and a decapitated head in one of her hands
Moksha
• When a soul finally escapes the karmic cycle, it becomes one with Brahman when the last bodily incarnation dies. • Moksha is not available for women so it is
considered better to be born a man. • The best position to be born into is that
of a man of a high caste or a guru. These are the ones most likely to achieve union with Brahman and end the cycle of lives (reincarnation).
Hindu Traditions: Where’s the Beef?
• A large section of Hindus embrace vegetarianism in a bid to respect higher forms of life.
• While vegetarianism is not a requirement, it is recommended as a purifying lifestyle– About 30% of today's Hindu
population are lacto-vegetarian– Another 20% of the Hindu
population practice vegetarianism on religious days
Hindu Traditions: The Bindi
• The red dot Hindu women wear on the forehead– Its location over a chakra (energy point),
is intended to help focus during meditation.
– Also a symbol of good fortune.– Bindi was once only for married women
but today is worn by girls and women of all ages.
Hindu Traditions: Mehndi
• The application of henna as a temporary form of skin decoration
• Described in the earliest Vedic ritual books
• Intended to be a symbolic representation of the outer and the inner sun; "awakening the inner light".
• Women have Henna applied to their hands and feet for their weddings and festivals
