Transcript Hinduism - Humble ISD

With what religions do you associate
the following pictures?
Hinduism, Islam, and Buddhism are the major religions of South
Asia. In addition, some 20 million followers of Sikhism live in
northwestern India. Christianity is concentrated in urban areas in
southern and northeastern India.
Religion affects diet, daily activities, and dress in South Asia. Many
religious groups also have some influence on the political process.
South Asians celebrate a variety of traditional holidays based on
some form of religion. The region’s different countries also
commemorate national holidays.
Contemporary Religion
• Hinduism
• Islam
• Sikhism
• Buddhism and
Jainism
• Other religious
groups
Hinduism
“There is only one God, but endless
are his aspects and endless are his
names”
Hinduism is one of the oldest known
religions in the world
The vast
majority of
Hindus live in
India and
Nepal. Approx.
83% of Indians
belong to this
faith.
Basic Beliefs
• No prophet
• No set day of worship
• No dogma
• Poetic phrases used to express their philosophy
“Truth is one, the wise perceive it many ways”
Gods and Goddesses
Numerous gods, but all
manifestations of one supreme
being
The universe has been created,
sustained and destroyed many
times
Brahman- who created the world
not worshipped by the
individual
SHIVA
VISHNU
Reincarnation
Reincarnation is the rebirth of the soul after death into the
body of another. This belief has resulted in a caste system.
People may be reincarnated at a higher or lower level of
existence depending on their karma (actions in accord with their
dharma: moral duty) from their present life.
People may be reborn as plants or animals or they may be
elevated to a higher caste as a human.
Death is not final for Hindus as they expect to be reborn many
times.
Hinduism is the world’s oldest major
religion. It is polytheistic and
recognizes many gods.
Hindus must recognize and carry out
his or her dharma, or moral duty.
Hindus believe in reincarnation until
the soul achieves perfection.
Karma - is the moral consequences of
ones actions. Good deeds help a person
achieve perfection; evil deeds tie one to
the endless wheel of rebirth. Hindus
worship many gods and goddesses,
which are often seen as different forms
of one eternal being.
Hinduism, which grew out of Aryan
culture and religion. The caste system was
an Aryan system of social classes; today it
remains one of the cornerstones of
Hinduism.
Four basic castes:
• Brahmans-priests and scholars
• Kshatriyas-rulers and warriors
• Vaisyas-farmers and merchants
• Sudras-artisans and laborers
• Below this are the “untouchables”
Other Hindu practices include Yoga,
Arranged Marriage, and a Vegetarian diet.
Hinduism is directed towards selfless
living, a fundamental belief being that the
soul or atman survives death.
All Hindus aspire to develop a positive
karma which will influence a better rebirth.
God assumes many forms in Hinduism of
which Brahma the Creator, Vishnu the
Preserver and Shiva the Destroyer are
most central.
Hindu Holy
Places
Hierarchy of Hindu holy
places: Some sites are
holy to Hindus
throughout India; others
have a regional or
sectarian importance, or
are important only
locally.
Hinduism's
caste
system
assigns
everyone
to a
distinct
class.
Caste System
Caste system was outlawed in India in the
1960s. However it is still entrenched socially.
“People are very well aware of their caste
membership," he said, noting that in some
cities the housing is still arranged along caste
lines. So "one might argue, unfortunately so,
that it (the caste system) does exist in
people's minds."
Caste System
Figure
12.20
• Complex Hindu social
order
• Hierarchy
• Dalits (untouchables)
• Structure being
undermined by modern
economy and social
reform
Hindu temple
Hindu holy books are called Vedas
The Cow is an important symbol for most Hindus.
Hindus venerate the cow
Have given years of faithful service
Provide man with food, milk
Cow was created by Brahman on the same
day as the Brahmin
Symbol of motherhood.
Meenakshi Temple in Pearland
17139 McLean Road
Pearland, Texas
This temple is a
tourist attraction due
to the high quality art
work in their building
and looks just like a
modern temple in
South India.
Baps Temple in Houston
Buddhism
“Hatreds never cease by hatred in
this world; by love alone they cease.
This is an ancient law.”
Buddhism is an offshoot of Hinduism
Buddhism arose from the inspiration and
teachings of Buddha Shakyamuni (624
BC).
It is a complete way of life concerned
with the wholesome development of the
individual.
Buddhism can be best summarized by
the words of Buddha himself:
Learn to do good, Cease to do harm,
Control the mind, And benefit others.
Buddhism is based on the teaching of Siddhartha Gautama who was born
near the border on India and Nepal during the 500s B.C. He left his
family and riches to seek the true nature of human existence. Known as
the Buddha, or Awakened One, Siddhartha urged people to achieve
contentment by working diligently, thinking clearly, showing
compassion, and avoiding attachment to material things.
Siddhartha Gautama
Period of Enjoyment
Period of Inquiry
Period of Enlightenment
How did it break with Hinduism?
Questioned the authority of the Brahmin
Caste
Rejected caste system
It is only what one does, not what one
believes that matters
No God, nor any specific ritual, can
bring enlightenment
The Four Noble Truths
Life is filled with suffering
• You can’t live without death, frustration, etc.
Suffering is caused by people’s wants
• Getting what you want doesn’t guarantee
happiness, it deprives you of it
Suffering can be ended if people stop
wanting things (ex: pleasure, power)
• If we stop craving useless things, and live each
day at a time (not living in the future) we will be
happy and free.
The Noble eight fold path leads to the
end of all suffering
The Eightfold Path
1) Right View – know the truth
2) Right Intention – resist evil
3) Right Speech – refrain from unkind,
negative speech
4) Right Action – respect all life
5) Right Livelihood – work for the good of
others
6) Right Effort – freeing the mind of evil
7) Right Awareness – control feelings and
thoughts
8) Right Meditation – practice the discipline of
meditation
Nirvana
The result of the eightfold path
Liberates one from the cycle of death
and rebirth
Nirvana accomplished by eliminating
the attachment to existence here on
earth.
Equivalent to heaven
A monk is someone who devotes his
entire life to religious study
Diffusion of Buddhism
Buddhism diffused gradually from its origin in
northeastern India to Sri Lanka, southeast Asia, and
eventually China and Japan.
Holy Sites in Buddhism
Most holy sites in Buddhism are locations of important
events in Buddha’s life and are clustered in
northeastern India and southern Nepal.
Both Hindus & Buddhist believe in
reincarnation, the continuous cycle of
birth, dearth & rebirth
Cremation near Taj Mahal
Jains
.07%
4 million
Mahavira, c. 550 BC,
eastern India .
Mostly in India
The universe is eternal; many
gods exist. Gods, humans and
all living things are classified in a
complex hierarchy
teachings of Mahavira in various collections.
The soul is uncreated and
eternal and can attain perfect
divinity by avoiding all bad karma
Reincarnation until liberation
•Five Great Vows (NonViolence, Truth, Celibacy,
Non-Stealing, NonPossessiveness)
•worship at temples and at
home
•Meditation and mantras
Sikhs (pronounced Sickhs (like khakhi))
Khanda
.39%
23 million
Guru Nanak, c. 1500 AD,
Punjab, India.
Kashmir and Punjab
Henotheistic - Only one God in
many forms.
God: (Ik Onkar, Nam)
Adi Granth (Sri Guru Granth Sahib) written
in Gurumukhi (language created by Guru
Nanak)
Overcome the self, align life with
will of God, and become a "saint
soldier," fighting for good
Reincarnation
until resolve
karma and merge
with God
•Prayer and meditation on God's name
•services at temple (gurdwara)
•turban and five Ks:
(Kesa – long hair, kangah – comb, kacha – short pants,
kara – metal bracelet, and Kirpan – ceremonial dagger)
•Balance work, worship, and charity