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Exploring Hinduism: Sacred Scriptures, Beliefs, and Rituals

Explore the rich history and fundamental aspects of Hinduism, from its ancient scriptures like the Vedas to its core beliefs of reincarnation and karma. Discover the significance of holy rituals, symbols, and artifacts in Hindu practices. Learn about key holidays and religious rites, such as Raksha Bandhan and Diwali, that celebrate love, victory over evil, and prosperity. Delve into the essential principles and teachings of Hinduism, including the pursuit of Moksha through knowledge, action, and devotion. Experience the cultural heritage and spiritual traditions of one of the world's oldest religions with over 900 million believers worldwide.

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Exploring Hinduism: Sacred Scriptures, Beliefs, and Rituals

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  1. Timeline • 2800-2000 BCE Indus Valley civilization began • 1200-900 BCE Earliest Holy Scriptures compiled • 900-600 BCE Brahmanical religion develops, emphasizing ritual and social obligation • 800-300 BCE More Holy Scriptures are written, which include the ideas of reincarnation and karma as well as the rise of devotional movements • 500 BCE Buddhism and Jainism founded in India

  2. Timeline • 600-1600 CE Holy Scriptures continue to be written and worship rituals develop • 1700-1900 CE Hindu Renaissance • 1857 CE National War of Independence • 1895 CE Vedanta Society founded to promote Hinduism as a world religion and India as a nation • 1915 CE Gandhi joins the nationalist movement (1948 assassinated) • 1950 CE Constitution of India

  3. General Facts • One of the oldest religions and 3rd largest • One god in three persons with many helpers • Believe there is more than one way to reach “Heaven” • Does not have a specific Holy Literature, instead several books • Family oriented and very cultural • Believe in reincarnation • Mainly practiced in India • Has over 900 million believers worldwide as of 2009. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jesIqlDkKdY

  4. Location

  5. Maps of Origin and Distribution

  6. Maps of Origin and Distribution

  7. Holy Scripture • Vedas (Wisdom) • Divided into two broad categories: Shruti and Smriti • Original four parts • Rig Veda: oldest part of Vedas • Yajur Veda: about sacrifices • Sama Veda: hymnal to the gods • Atharva-Veda: magic spells • Scripture added later • Brahmanas: duties of the priests explained • Upanishads: meaning of the universe mediations • Mahabharata: tale of war between the gods • Ramayana: story of god Rama and the quest to find his wife ,Sita, from the demon called Ravana • Puranas: elaborates on the stories, worshipping of different gods, creation, destruction and re-creation of the universe, philosophy, as well as other topics • Bhagavad Gita: also part of the holy scripture

  8. Holy Scripture • Vedas are god ordained and sacred • One god but three in one (Triad): • Brahman: Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva • Brahma: creator • Vishnu: protector/ preserver • Shiva: destroyer Shiva Vishnu Brahma

  9. Symbols and Artifacts • Sanskrit Om is used in prayers or mantras • Cows are considered sacred because of their gentleness and they give more that they take http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgEk4dPImNI Om- Purity and possibility

  10. Symbols and Artifacts Bindi Vermillion bindi (red dot) Bindi: symbolizes female energy and protection from evil Hindu god Shiva Nataraja (Lord of the Dance) performing the cosmic dance of bliss. Lotus Flower: symbolizes seeking Moksha http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=002AY4cb5uw watch if time about Bindi

  11. Fundamental Principles • Teachings: Four aims • Dharma: performing religious and social duties • Artha: building up of wealth • Kama: fulfilling one’s desires • Moksha: freedom of the continuous cycles of reincarnation

  12. Fundamental Principles • Ways of Achieving Moksha: • Knowledge: to experience union with the gods • Action: acting selfless, others before yourself • Devotion: prayers, chanting of Vedas, surrender oneself to the will of the gods

  13. Holidays • Raksha Bandhan: • Celebrates love between brother and sister • Celebrated in July or August • “ On Raksha Bandhan, sisters tie a bracelet onto their brother’s hand which means we wish him luck for the rest of his life and he gives his sisters money,” my friend Mona Patel said.

  14. Holidays • Navarati: • Nine day celebration of Mother Durga’s victory over evil demon • Celebrated this year from October 9-18, 2010 • “We dance tradition dances like the Garba and the Raas from like 8 till 3 in the morning,” my friend Mona Patel said. Couple dance the Garba

  15. Holidays • Diwali: • celebrates the goddess named Lakshmi (luhksh-mee), who is the goddess of wealth, fertility, and prosperity. • Celebrated in November 5 • Is also known as the festival of lights and is the start of the financial year in India

  16. Religious Rites • Prenatal Rituals • Rite of Conception: performed before conception, wish for a male child and protection of the child while in the womb. • After 3-4 months another ceremony is performed wishing for male child and safeguards against miscarriages. • Between 4-8 months a ceremony is performed to protect the child against evil spirits. • Childhood Rituals: • Naming ceremony occurs between the 10th and 12th day of life. • Girls receive ceremonial ear piercing between the ages of 1 to 5. • Boys receive their first haircut by the time they turn 5. • Other rituals are performed to help the children prepare to assume their religious and social duties as adults • Upanayana is a spiritual re-birth that only involves males from the upper three castes in Hindu Society which leads to purity. (Ages 16,22,24)

  17. Religious Rites • Marriage • Important ritual in Hindu society • A man is not complete until marriage and having a son. • Elaborate ceremony Red and Gold: symbolizes love and faith Lady wearing a traditional wedding Sari Nikit Malkan wearing a sherwani which is typically worn during religious or attending wedding ceremonies

  18. Religious Rites • Death: • Body is carried in a procession to the local cremation grounds • Procession lead by eldest son, who acts as chief mourner calling out the name of a god. • Cremation is the last the sacrifice in which the body is offered in the sacred fire • The deceased is born again and united with their ancestors • Mourning can last from 12 days -1 year

  19. Major ContributorsNo single founder Veda Vyasa 1500 BCE Sankara 700 CE Madhva 1200 CE Ramanuja 1000 CE

  20. Religious & Social Structure Brahmins-Priests Kshatriya- Warriors Vaisyas- Commoners/ Merchants Sudras- Peasants/Artisans Pariahs- Untouchables

  21. Roles of Women • Not allowed to read or hear Vedas because they are not believed to be spiritually inclined. • Are recently being accepted as priestesses • Dependent on fathers, husbands, and sons • Primarily viewed as mothers http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBsYhq-eTXA

  22. Art • Most art is centered around religious beliefs. • Dance • Music • Sculpture

  23. Science/Technology • Education: 1st University 700 BCE • Mathematics: Concept of zero, Quadratic equation, Trigonometry • Astronomy: Solar System, 365 days/year • Medicine: Holistic and herbal practices

  24. Influence on Political & Economic Systems • Mahatma(Mohandas) Gandhi (1869-1949): • Father of India • Lead non-violent protests against the British • Influenced Martin Luther King Jr. who lead the United States Civil Rights Movement in 1960’s to end segregation • The Caste system and the religious beliefs influenced both the Political and Economic systems of India

  25. Current Event

  26. Works Cited • "Assorted Videos." YouTube - Broadcast Yourself. Web. 21 Oct. 2010. <http://www.youtube.com/>. • "BBC - Religion: Hinduism." BBC - Homepage. Web. 21 Oct. 2010. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/hinduism/>. • "CMP - Religions in Canada - Hinduism." Chief Military Personnel | Chef - Personnel Militaire. Web. 19 Oct. 2010. <http://www.cmp-cpm.forces.gc.ca/pub/rc/rel/hinduism-hindouis-eng.asp>. • "Desecration of Culture in Modern Garba." Hindu Janajagruti Samiti. Web. 18 Oct. 2010. <www.hindujanajagrutisamiti.org>. • Goa, David J., and Harold G. Coward. "Hinduism." The Canadian Encyclopedia. The Canadian Encyclopedia. Web. 18 Oct. 2010. <http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/PrinterFriendly.cfm?Params=A1ARTA0003777>. • "Images." Google. Web. 21 Oct. 2010. <http://www.google.ca/>. • Martin, Phillip. "PowerPoint's on Hinduism." Hinduism PowerPoint's. Web. 18 Oct. 2010. <http://religions.pppst.com/hinduism.html>. • "The Meaning of Om." Om and Mantras. Web. 19 Oct. 2010. <www.omsakthi.org/worship/mantra.html>. • "Other Hindu Symbols." YGO Hinduism. Web. 20 Oct. 2010. <http://hinduism.ygoy.com/more-hinduism/symbols.php>. • "Religious Distribution of the Population." Population Foundations of India. 2005. Web. 19 Oct. 2010. <http://www.popfound.org/pop_clock.html>. • Wangu, Madhu Bazaz. Hinduism World Religion. New York: Facts on File, 1991. Print. • "Timeline of Hinduism - Religion Facts." Religion, World Religions, Comparative Religion - Just the Facts on the World's Religions. Web. 21 Oct. 2010. <http://www.religionfacts.com/hinduism/timeline.htm>. • "Hinduism Basics." Hindu American Foundation. Web. 25 Oct. 2010. <http://www.hafsite.org/resources/hinduism_101/hinduism_basics>.

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