Transcript India’s Religion

India is the birthplace of some of the
world’s major religious traditions; namely
Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism.
 Throughout India's history, religion has been
an important part of the country's culture.
Religious diversity and religious tolerance
are both established in the country by
the law and custom.
 A vast majority of Indians, (over 93%),
associate themselves with a religion.

Indian Diaspora in the West have
popularized many aspects of Buddhist and
Hindu philosophy such as yoga, meditation,
Ayurvedic medicine, divination, karma, and
reincarnation. The influence of Indian
religions has been significant all over the
world.
 Westerners flocked to India to avail
themselves of the spiritual advice and
teachings of countless number of Indian
gurus.




Hinduism
Buddhism
Jainism
› These three ancient religions, Hinduism, Buddhism and
Jainism, are seen as the molders of the India philosophy.


Sikhism
The main Indian religions, Buddhism, Hinduism,
Jainism and Sikhism are linked by a belief in karma.
Life is regarded as a continual cycle of birth, life and
re-birth, and that the deeds or desires of part lives
determines ones fate in this and future lives
(karma). The karmic cycle can be broken by
adherence to the doctrine preached by each
religion.






Origin:
› Indus valley, about 1500BC.
Originators:
› Persian settlers influenced by Aryan invaders..
Holy city:
› Varanisi, on the river Ganges.
Followers:
› 650 million. About 80% of all Indians are Hindi.
Deity:
› Hinduism is a multitheistic religion in which the many gods and
goddesses are worshiped in the home and by the numerous
sects. The caste system is strictly enforced and all Hindi's are
expected to make an annual pilgrimage to a holy center such
as the Ganges, for cleansing. To die in a holy place ensures rebirth.
The Gods:
› The Veda Gods: Indra (thunder god), Varuna (divine arbitrator),
Agni (god of fire) and Surya (the sun).
› The Hindu Gods: Brahma (creator), Vishnu (preserver), Shiva
(destructor), Gamesh (remover of obstacles) and Hanuman
(warrior god). There are also the 10 Avatars of Vishnu which
include Krishna and Buddha.

Origin:
› Created around 500 BC, In North India by a Hindi protest group

Originator:
› Prince Siddhartha Gautama (563-483 BC)

Followers:
›

Deity:
›
•
307 million
None although Mahayanan Buddhists believe in Buddha as a
spiritual being.
The teachings of Buddha reveal that there is no permanent
'self' and suffering is caused by a desire for that which is
impermanent. These beliefs are expressed in the Nobel Truths:
›
Dukkha, to exist is to suffer.
› Samuddaya, suffering is caused by desire, the cravings for pleasure and
possessions.
› Nirodha, detachment from desire will end suffering.
› Magga, there is a Way to achieve detachment.

Origin:
› 6th century India.




Originator:
›
Break away group of Hindus led by Mahavira.
›
4 million
›
Digamaras and Swatambaras.
Followers:
Divisions:
Deity:
› None.

The central theme is of non-violence, an idea that has
influenced other religions. Jains see the world as a place
of misery and suffering and most are monks or nuns each
seeking the way to personal liberation (moksha).

Origin:
› India 16th century.




Originator:
›
Guru Nanak (1469-1539).
›
Amritsar in the Punjab.
›
16.5 million.
Holy city:
Followers:
Deity:
› God, the immortal creator.
› The central lesson is that a good and contemplative life will
achieve unity with God. Sikhs also believe in reincarnation.


Symbols:
› The five Sikh symbols are: kesh, kangha, kara, kachh and kirpan
(beard and uncut hair with a turban, comb, metal bracelet,
knee-length shorts and dagger).
Sikhs have a wide influence in India and there is increasing demand
for a separate homeland in the Punjab (North India).

There were other attempts to create new religions in
India but they did not always succeed. For example,
a Moghul emperor, Akbar, who reigned between
1556 - 1605, tried to establish a new religion, Din- EElahi, but it did not survive. There are other religious
philosophies whose believers see themselves as a
separate religion, but they do not always get this
recognition. For example Lingayat of south India see
themselves as a different religion, while others see
them as a sect of Hinduism. There are also some tribal
communities who demand to be recognized as
separate religion from Hinduism. In the 19th century
some Hindu reformers tried to remodel Hinduism to
adjust it to modern period.

The largest non-Indian religion is Islam.
› They are about 12% of India's population.
Christians are more then 2% of India's
population.
 There are also Zoroastrians who even
though make less then 0.01% of India's
population, are known around India.
 There are also a few thousand Jews in
India.

Buddhism Symbol
Buddha
Hinduism Symbol
Jainism Symbol
Rishabha
Nanak
Sikhism Symbol
http://adaniel.tripod.com/religions.htm
 http://www.quickfacts.co.uk/religion/indian.htm
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_I
ndia
 http://www.sscnet.ucla.edu/southasia/R
eligions/religions.html
 http://www.asianinfo.org/asianinfo/india
/religion.htm#Zoroastrianism
