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Discovering Hinduism: Beliefs, Deities & Goals

Explore the rich heritage of Hindu beliefs like karma, reincarnation, and Moksha, along with the major deities Brahma, Vishnu, and Ganesha. Learn about sacred texts like the Vedas and the epics Mahabharata and Ramayana. Enrich your understanding of Hindu practices and life goals.

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Discovering Hinduism: Beliefs, Deities & Goals

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  1. Hinduism

  2. Brahmanism develops into Hinduism • Brahmanism • Aryan priests were called Brahmins. • Wrote Vedic texts, which were their thoughts about the Vedas Evolving Beliefs The Vedas, Upanishads, and other Vedic texts began blending with beliefs from different cultures, creating Hinduism. • Hinduism • Many gods • Reincarnation: could be reborn into new forms and castes • Men and women could both gain salvation, but women were inferior.

  3. Hinduism • Hinduism is a religion that began in India. • The religion dates back to 1500 B.C., making it the worlds oldest religion. • There are 750 million Hindus in the world today. • Most Hindus still live in India.

  4. Hindu Beliefs • Hindus believe in a single Divinity or supreme God that is present in everything called Brahman. • Hindus also believe in other gods who are aspects of that supreme God such as Shiva, Shakti, and Ganesh.

  5. Brahma • Brahma is the Hindu God of Creation • Brahma is traditionally depicted with four heads and four faces and four arms.

  6. Vishnu • Vishnu is the Preserver, he is most famously identified with his human and animal incarnations (AKA, avatars) • He manifested Himself as a living being in ten avatars. • They are (in order of avatar) • (Fish) • (Turtle) • (Pig/Boar) • (Lion man / from the torso upwards lion, below, human) • (First fully human form as a dwarf sage who has the ability to grow very, very tall) • (Fierce man / Hunter) • (Greatest Warrior/ Ideal man) • (Mentally advanced man) • (Sage who is completely still) • (Prophesied, yet to take place) • For Vaishnavas, he is the Ultimate Reality or God. The Brahman.

  7. And let’s not forget Ganesha • Ganesha is one of the most well-known and venerated representations of God • The Lord of Good Fortune

  8. Karma and Reincarnation • Reincarnation is the belief that the soul repeatedly goes through a cycle of being born into a body, dying, and being reborn again in a new body. • Karma, a force that determines the quality of each life, depending on how well one behaved in a past life. • Hinduism says we create karma by our actions on earth. If you live a good life, you create good karma. If you live a bad life, you create bad karma.

  9. Moksha • Each time a Hindu soul is born into a better life, it has the opportunity to improve itself further, and get closer to ultimate liberation. • This liberation is called Moksha. • One attains Moksha when one has "overcome ignorance", and no longer desires anything at all. • The ones who reach this state no longer struggle with the cycle of life and death. • The way to get to Moksha is to not create any karma.

  10. Hindu Life Goals • Hinduism is about the sort of life one should lead in order to be born into a better life next time and ultimately achieve liberation. There are 4 legitimate goals in life: • dharma (appropriate living) • artha (the pursuit of material gain by lawful means) • moksha (release from rebirth).

  11. Hindu Duties • Each Hindu has 4 daily duties: • Revere the deities • Respect ancestors • Respect all beings • Honor all humankind

  12. Sacred Writings • The Vedas collections of Sanskrit hymns (written down 1200-900BCE, but based on older oral versions). • The Upanishads which means the inner or mystic teaching that were passed down from guru (teacher) to disciple (student).

  13. Mahabharata • Mahabharata, Sanskrit for Great Story, is one of the great epic poems of ancient India. • It was written between 300 BC and AD. 300. • The story is about the battle of one family over a kingdom in northern India. • The Bhagavad Gita (Song of God) is contained in the Mahabharata. It is dialogue between Krishna and the hero Arjuna on the meaning of life.

  14. Krishna and Arjuna

  15. Ramayana • Ramayana was written in 3rd century BC, and tells story of Rama, and his wife, Sita. • Rama and Sita are generally seen as ideal examples of great manly heroism and wifely devotion. • Reciting the Ramayana is considered a religious act, and scenes from the epic are portrayed throughout India and Southeast Asia.

  16. Rama and Sita

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