Transcript Hinduism: One God, Many Forms

HINDUISM: ONE GOD,
MANY FORMS
Presented
by
the
Hindu
Students
Council
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Hindu Prayer before Eating
Brahmaarpanam Brahma Havihi
Brahmaagnau Brahmanaa Hutam
Brahmaiva Tena Gantavyam
Brahma Karma Samaadhinaam
Brief History of Hinduism
• Most ancient religion in the world today
• Based on the timeless spiritual vision and revealed
knowledge of the sacred Vedas
• Also known as Sanātana Dharma and Vaidika
Dharma
• Now the third largest religion in the world
• Nepal is the only nation with Hinduism as its state
religion
Basic Beliefs
• Various religions of man are different paths to the one God
Essential Concepts:
– Dharma (individual ethics duties and obligations),
– Samsara (reincarnation/rebirth)
– Karma (actions leading to a cause and effect relationship; selfless
action)
– Moksha (salvation of every soul through a variety of paths)
– Bhakti (devotion; belief in God)
– Jnana (enlightenment, knowledge)
• Importance of Om (Aum)
• Deities are all manifestations of the ONE SUPREME
monistic Brahman
A Monotheistic Religion
• Often misconceived to be a polytheistic religion
• However, fundamental is the belief in a singular,
Universal Soul that is the ultimate divine Reality
• "The Reality is One, the wise ones refer to It
variously (by various terms).”
• He has various names that all refer to the same
Being
• Different forms can be considered different paths to
suit different types of people
Why so many forms?
• Varied expressions of the glory, power, grandeur and a
mysterious divine nature of the Supreme Being.
• While fulfilling a certain cosmic function, the Supreme
Being becomes referred to by a specific name.
• Certain deities were personified with features that
symbolized various aspects of the Divine nature.
• These manifest forms are thus a great help in enabling one
to dwell upon God in a tangible manner.
• The Water Analogy: one substance that takes on different
forms to fulfill different functions.
Ganesha: Remover of Obstacles
• 'Ga' symbolizes Buddhi
(intellect) and 'Na'
symbolizes Vijnana
(wisdom).
• Considered the master of
intellect and wisdom.
• Provides prosperity and
fortune.
• His grace is invoked
before the undertaking of
any task
Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva
• Trimurti are three aspects of
God, as Brahma, Vishnu and
Shiva
• Brahma - the
Source/Creator/Generator
• Vishnu - the
Preserver/IndwellingLife/Operator
• Shiva - the
Transformer/DestroyerCreator
• Similar to interpretations of
the Trinity in Christianity
Krishna
• Eighth avatar
(incarnation) of Vishnu
• Known for His pastoral
childhood as well as His
youth and life as a
heroic warrior and
teacher
• Non-Hindu religions
that originated in India
have their own versions
of Him.
Lakshmi: Goddess of Wealth
• Goddess of wealth,
light, wisdom and
fortune, as well as luck,
beauty, and fertility.
• Representations are
also found in Jain and
Buddhist monuments.
• Also considered the
Mother of the Universe
and Vishnu's Shakti
(strength)
Saraswati: Goddess of Knowledge
• First goddess worshipped
in the Hindu religion.
•
• Goddess of Knowledge and
music, arts, and speech.
• Also Goddess of thoughts
of truth and forgiveness.
• Originated as a river
goddess. Her name is
Sanskrit for "she who has
lakes or pools."
“Man is made by his belief.
As he believes, so he is.”
-The Gita
References
• Pictures from wikipedia.org and Google
Images.