Transcript Hinduism - Phuket Rajabhat University

Hinduism
Thai Studies - Religion in Thailand
Facts about Hinduism
Hinduism is the oldest surviving religion of the world.
It originated before history was recorded.
Hinduism is also called ‘Sanatana Dharma’ i.e. The Eternal
Religion
Hinduism is spontaneous by nature.
It has no founder to give credit to its discovery nor does
anyone know its date of origin.
More Facts
Size rank
It is the third largest religion in the world.
Founder of Hinduism
None
The Original Language
Sanskrit
Main location
India.
Spiritual Leader
Gurus or sages
The History of Hinduism
According to historians, the origin of Hinduism dates back to 5,000 or
more years. The word "Hindu" is derived from the name of River Indus,
which flows through northwestern India. In ancient times the river was
called the "Sindhu", but the Persians who migrated to India called the river
"Hindu," the land "Hindustan" (Sanskrit, Hindi), and its inhabitants
"Hindus". Thus the daily life practices evolved as the religion followed by
the Hindus came to be known as "Hinduism." The term generally denotes
the religious, philosophical, and cultural traditions native to the Indian
subcontinent.
Brahmanism is present in Thailand since the influence of Khmer people
starting in the 10th century. In Thailand, many Brahminic statues can be
seen in old Khmer temples. Thai people seized Angkor, from Cambodia, in
1431.
Who is the founder of Hindu religion?
Hinduism is the oldest religion of all world religions.
For hundreds of years historians have searched for
some evidence of its founder, but no one could point
to a specific founder or its date of origin. Even the
authors of its sacred texts are largely unknown. The
system exists from time immemorial and there is no
exact beginning of this religion. It has no particular
fonder but has many Rishis, Saints, Gurus, and leaders
who reformed and revived the existing culture and
traditions. It has developed out of Brahmanism.
Scriptures and Major Sects of Hindu
religion
Scriptures
Hinduism is not a religion in the normal sense, but it is a set of
traditions and beliefs evolved over a long period of time. There are
different sects of Hinduism, but they all admire the ancient
scriptures called Vedas. Upanishads are more philosophically
inclined Vedic texts. The ancient Indian scholars called Rishis' search
for the knowledge, that would make man kind to be free from the
cycle of reincarnation can be seen in Upanishads.
Major Sects
Shaivism
Vaishnavism
Shaktism
God in Hinduism
God in Hinduism is the Supreme Being-Maha
Vishnu who is omniscient, omnipresent and
omnipotent.
This Supreme Being is the universal energy which is
everywhere and in everything.
The different deities and Gods worshiped are
different aspects and avatars of this Supreme
Being. This Supreme Being is formless, shapeless
and genderless.
Ten Important Symbols
1.Om (Aum) – the most important Hindu symbol, often used as the emblem of Hinduism (see above).
2.Hands in prayer – a sign of respect for the sacred, that which is dear to the heart (see above).
3.Lotus (padma) – symbol of purity/transcendence. Growing out of the mud, it is beautiful, and though resting on
water, it does not touch it.
4.Conchshell – used during arati: one of the four symbols of Vishnu. The others are the lotus, club and disc.
5. Swastika – an ancient solar sign considered to invoke auspiciousnes.
6.Trident (trishul) – the symbol of Shiva; often carried by Shaivite sannyasis (renunciates).
7.Kalasha – coconut circled by mango leaves on a pot. Often used in rituals such as the fire sacrifice.
8.Cow – symbol of purity, motherhood and ahimsa (non-violence).
9.Lotus feet (of guru or deity) – touching the feet of superiors shows an attitude of submission and service.
10.Dipa/lamp – symbol of light.
Some Hindu Symbols
Basic Tenets of Hinduism
Satya - Follow truth, do not lie
Ahimsa - Follow non violence
Brahmacharya - do not overindulge
Aparigraha - Non-corrupt
Santosha - Be content
Asteya - do not steal
Shaucha - Be clean
Tapas - Be self-disciplined
Svadhyaya - Learning the scriptures
Ishvara Pranidhana - surrender to God
The Four Stages & Four Purposes in
Life
Four Stages
• Brahmacharya - During education - grow and learn
• Grhastha - Taking care of marriage, family and career
• Vanaprastha - starts seeking spiritual things
• Sanryasa - abandon world to seek spiritual things
Four Purposes
• Dharma- Fulfilling social , moral, and religious duties
• Artha - Attaining financial and worldly success
• Kama – Satisfying desires God
• Moksha– Attaining freedom from rebirth
Purpose of life,The Three Debts, and The Three
Paths to be followed
The purpose of life
to obtain liberation from the cycle of reincarnation.
Three Debts
debt to God
debt to saints and sages
debt to ancestors
The Three Paths
Karma-marga - path of work and action
Jnana-marga - path of knowledge
Bhakti-marga - path of devotion to God
Basic Beliefs in Hinduism
Hindus believe in one and all pervasive Supreme Being who is both
transcendent and immanent and that the universe undergoes endless
cycles of creation, preservation and dissolution.
Hindus believe in karma, the law of cause and effect by which each
individual creates his own destiny by his thoughts, words and deeds.
Hindus believe that all life is sacred and pure to be loved and respected.
Hindus believe that our soul reincarnates through many births until it
attains moksha- liberation from the cycles of birth and rebirth.
Hindus believe in ahimsa and dharma-doing one’s duties.
Hindu Ideas on Death and Dying
Hindus believe in the concept of many reincarnations. The ultimate goal is
to unite with the Supreme Being, Brahman. They also belief in Karma, and
tend to be fatalistic. The general belief is that one's present status and
condition is a result of existence in the previous birth and is, therefore,
deserved, be it good or bad. Being good in his present life may help him
have a better life next time, but this will not alter his present situation.
The ultimate goal
The ultimate aim of the Hindu faith is to achieve Moksha. In other words
they long for liberation from the vicious cycle of incarnations. The most
important event in the life of a Hindu is, his/her death. Moksha can be
achieved by following the four different ways. They are karma yoga, the
path of action, Bhakti yoga the path of devotion,Gnana yoga, the path of
knowledge and Raja Yoga a way of special postures, methods of breathing.
Hindu Temple in Phuket
Indian people migrated to Phuket in 1340. They needed the temple to
revere their gods. The first Hindu temple was located on Phuket Road it
was a small and narrow. Later Indian people donated their money to build
a new temple that we can see today at Suthat Road Taladyai in Phuket .