Transcript Hinduism

Hinduism
Hinduism
 World’s most ancient living religion #2
 3rd largest
 Began in India, from the Aryan beliefs.
 Developed over thousands of years.
 A philosophy of how to live your life.
 Polytheistic- Has millions of Gods that
reflect the complexity of life. #3
Brahman
 The One Supreme Being, universal
soul
 Atman: individual soul
 A universal soul, present
everywhere. #4
 Other deities (Gods) represent
aspects of Brahman (they come
from the One Supreme Being) #4
Hindu Gods #5
 Brahma- is the creator.
 Vishnu- is the preserver or protector.
 Siva- is the destroyer.
 These 3 Gods create and maintain the
world we live in.
 Trimurti- representation of the 3 main
Gods of Hinduism.
Who do Hindus worship? –
the major gods of the Hindu Pantheon
Brahma, the creator god
Avatar:
an incarnation of a Hindu deity in human or animal
form, especially one of the incarnations of Vishnu
such as Rama and Krishna
Avatars
 an incarnation of a Hindu deity in human
or animal form, especially one of the
incarnations of Vishnu such as Rama
and Krishna
Who do Hindus worship? –
the major gods of the Hindu Pantheon
Vishnu, the preserver god
Incarnates as ten avatars (descents) including:
Rama (featured in the Ramayana)
Krishna (featured in the Mahabharata)
(Each shown with his consort, Sita and Radha, respectively)
Who do Hindus worship? –
the major gods of the Hindu Pantheon
Shiva, god of constructive destruction
(the transformer)
Appears as Shiva Nataraj,
lord of the dance of creation…
and with his wife, Parvati, and son Ganesha
(the elephant headed remover of obstacles)
What about the goddesses?
Devi – the feminine divine
Lakshmi, goddess of good fortune, consort
of Vishnu
Gods
Mono or polytheistic?
There are three main gods, a triumvirate,
which are believed to be all part of
Brahman
 Brahma = the creator
 Vishnu = the preserver
 Shiva = the destroyer
 All three are responsible
for the creation, upkeep
and destruction of the
world.
Brahma = the Creator
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Has four heads and it is believed the four Vedas came from these heads.
Some believe the four varnas came from a different part of Brahma’s
body.
His consort (companion) is Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge.
Often holds a lotus – the symbol of creation.
Keeps track of time on a string of beads.
Vishnu = the Preserver
 Preserver and protector of the
universe.
 Role is to return to earth in
troubled times and restore the
balance of good and evil.
 Has been reincarnated nine
times.
 Believe he will be
reincarnated one last time
close to the end of the world.
 Associated with light,
especially the sun.
 Represented with a human
body, with blue skin and four
arms.
 Each hand holds an object he
is responsible for.
Vishnu Continued
In Vishnu’s hands:
 Conch shell (produces
the “om” sound, the
primeval sound of
creation)
 Discus: symbolizes the
mind
 Locus flower: glorious
existence and liberation
 Mace: mental and
physical strength
Shiva = the Destroyer
 Role is to destroy the
universe and recreate it, paving the
way for beneficial
change.
 Destruction is not
arbitrary but
constructive.
 Seen as the source
of good and evil.
Shiva Continued
 Has a 3rd eye = represents
wisdom and insight
 Cobra necklace = power over
the dangerous creatures in
the world. Also presents
destruction and rebirth
(shedding its skin)
 Vibhuti (three white lines on
the face with white ash) =
represent his pervading
nature, superhuman power
and wealth. Cover his third
eye.
 Trident = represents the three
functions of the Hindu
triumvirate.
 Ganesh/Ganesha
 He is the Lord of
success and
destroyer of evils
and obstacles.
 He is also
worshipped as the
god of education,
knowledge, wisdom
and wealth
Ganges River #6
 Most sacred feature of the Indian
landscape.
 It’s believed that the river came
down from heaven to cleans the
earth from sin
 It’s getting polluted, but people
believe the river will take care of
itself because it’s Holy.
Varanasi #7
 Most sacred city of Hindu, located
on the Ganges River.
 Oldest, continuous center for Hindu
life.
IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF
HINDU BELIEFS #8
 Dharma
 duties and obligations, religious or social.
 Rules of a caste.
 Guide of conduct or proper path.
 Karma
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Actions or deeds.
Your actions affect your future lives.
Your present life is a result of your past actions.
Reincarnated into a higher caste and close to moksha
Caste system- 4 classes of society, determined by birth.
 Your caste is a result of karma so it is inseparable from
Hinduism #12
“Big Idea” - Dharma
 The ultimate moral balance of all things. There
is a divine order to the universe and an
individual's life.
 The concept of dharma requires all people to
do their duty, depending on their status in
society. The higher the status, the higher the
expectations.
 Idea of duty above consequences. Promises
must be kept at all price.
 Dharma in all areas of life: family, social and
religious.
“Big Idea” - Karma
 Karma is the force generated by a person’s actions that
determines how the person will be reborn in the next
life. Every action has consequences. If you live a
balanced and moral life (and not disturb the Dharma)
you will be happy and move onto a higher level in your
next life.
 A person’s current status is a reflection of their past
lives. Therefore, higher status people are entitled to
more privileges because they have lived better past
lives.
 Ensures full accountability for every thought, action and
word.
“Big Idea” – Caste System
(Varnas)
 Varnas or castes - Social custom brought by the
Ayrans to India. Would become known as the caste
system (jati) – officially weren’t called castes until the
16th century by Portuguese traders
 Four main castes (although each caste is also subdivided)
 Based off the belief that hierarchy is natural and social
structure if part of the divine intention for natural order
 Also based largely on the idea of purity as related to
profession
Varnas (Castes)
 Each Varna has specific duties and rights
 Each Varna dictates professions – only
certain varnas can work in certain fields.
People cannot work outside of their
varna.
 Each Varna has its own dietary
restrictions based on the level of “purity”
of the food.
IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF
HINDU BELIEFS
 Samsara-
 reincarnation or rebirth of the soul in various forms.
 Cycle of death and rebirth.
 What your soul is reborn into is governed by karma.
 Moksha ending the cycle of reincarnation, Hindu goal
 The spiritual goal of all Hindu’s.
 Freeing the soul from the body so that the soul can
unite with Brahman.
 When your atman (individual soul, essential self)
achieves union with Brahman (universal soul) and
the reincarnation cycle stops.
 Samskaras rituals connected to Birth, Marriage, Death
“Big Idea” – Reincarnation
(Samsara)
 Represents the cycle of life, death and rebirth
in which a person carried his or her own
karma. Each life represents an opportunity for
balance.
 The ultimate goal in reincarnation is to be
united with Brahman (God). Hindus believe all
living beings seek to achieve this goal.
 Places an emphasis on individual spiritual
development to better attain the release from
the life and death cycle.
 Created a reverence for all forms of life.
“Big Idea” - Moksha
 Ultimate goal, state of changeless bliss.
 Achieved by living a life of complete
religious devotion and more integrity
without any interest in worldly things.
 When a person reaches Moksha, the
cycle of reincarnation ends.
Sacred Texts
 Hindu beliefs are recorded in the following
sacred texts and are all part of the Vedas
 Upanishad- summation of the Vedas
 Introduced: karma, samsara and moksha.
 Focuses on the relationship between the
Brahman and atman.
 Other Sacred Texts
Sacred Texts
 Hindu beliefs are recorded in the following
sacred texts and are all part of the Vedas
 Ramayana-an epic poem, the hero is Rama.
 A scripture that offers a hero as a model for the
Hindu life.
 The moral code of conduct, social duty.
 Gives the model for the ideal Hindu life.
 Mahabharata- the world’s longest epic poem.
 Contains many basic Hindu ideas.
Its most important section is the Bhagavad-Gita(the song of the Lord.)
 conversation between Krishna and Arjuna as Arjuna prepares
to go into battle
 Dealing with struggle without concern
Hindu Religious Text (s)
 The Vedas
 Most ancient religious
text in the world
 Most present form
developed between
1200 – 200 BCE and
introduced by the
Aryans
Other aspects of Hindu beliefs
 Puja daily worship, offerings to the Gods.
 Guru a spiritual leader.
 Mandir a Hindu temple.
 All life is sacred The cow is considered sacred- it is the most
giving of all animals. Hindu’s are vegetarians
– and do not eat meat. #9
 Ragas sacred music to focus spiritual devotion.
 Aum:
 most sacred word in Hinduism, symbol on
temple, used in meditation
Temple Worship
 Temples provide an
atmosphere
conducive for
spiritual progress
 Centers of social and
cultural activities
 Provide a place for
collective worship
and prayers
“Big Idea” - Yoga
 Yoga means “union”
 Important part of Hindu’s
daily life as they strive
for their union with
Brahman
 Goal is to leave behind
earthy life and join
Brahman in your mind
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN
ISLAM AND HINDUISM #10
 Hinduism- Polytheistic, worship many
gods, caste system, born into the
religion- no idea of conversion, diet, and
the cow is sacred, no founder
 Islam- Monotheistic, worship one God,
all people are seen as equal under the
eyes of God, dietary restrictions
proselytizers-seek to convert others.
SIKHISM #11
 is a religion that is a combination of Islam
and Hinduism.
 Monotheistic- One god, but all else more
like Hinduism.
 This new religion emerged and is an
example of cultural blending under the
Mughals/Muslims.
Sikh
 Started in 15
century, Punjab,
India
 Three
Requirements
 Meditate on the
holy name
 Work diligently
and honestly
 Share your fruits