Hinduism

1. Hinduism “Eternal Law” सनातन धर्म

2. Basics of Hinduism • Oldest Religion Still Practiced • From  Ancient Vedic Religion • Combination of Diverse Traditions • No single founder • 3rd Largest World Religion • After • Christianity • Islam • 1 Billion People • 905 Million  India and Nepal • Other Countries with many: • Bangladesh • Sri Lanka • Pakistan • Indonesia • Malaysia • Singapore • Fiji • United Kingdom • Canada

3. Hinduism Beliefs • Beliefs • Extremely Diverse  Everyone has different beliefs • Agree Main Ideas • Dharma Ethics/Duties • Samsara Continuing Cycle  Life, Death, Rebirth • Karma  Action and Reaction • Moksha  Liberation from Samsara • Yogas  Paths or Practices

4. Hindu Concept of God • Only Religion  Polytheistic and Monotheistic • Believe: • Soul (Atman)  Eternal • Brahma “Universal Consciousness”  Supreme Spirit that all souls are a part of • Become aware that oneself is part of the whole perfect soul of Brahma  Reach Moksha  Escape Cycle of Rebirth  Attain perfection • Gods Triad of main Gods including • Brahma • Vishnu • Shiva

5. Brahma • God of the Universe

6. Vishnu the Creator • Preserver of the Universe • Creator God

7. Shiva the Destroyer • God of: • Death • Reincarnation • As the Destroyer • Naked Ascetic • Train of Serpents • Necklace of Skulls • As the Reincarnation God: • White, Blue Throat • Seven Arms • Three Eyes • Carries Trident • Rides a White Bull

8. Krishna कृष्ण • Reincarnation  Supreme God Vishnu • Divine and Heroic • Defeated Monsters • Depicted as • Philosopher • Hero • Cowherd playing the flute

9. Ganesh • God of • Success • Destroyer of Evil • Education • Wisdom • Knowledge

10. Devas and Avatars • Devas-Celestial Beings in Hindu scriptures • Depicted in mythology by: • Art • Architecture • Icons • Indian Epic P • Ishvaras-Idea of Supreme God in one (Deva) form • Choice based on: • Personal Choice • Family • Traditional Areas • Avatars-Decent of God to Earth in human form • In order to: • Restore Dharma in society • Guide humans to Moksha • Stories told  Hindu Epic Poems mostly about: • Krishna • Vishnu • Rama

11. Hindu Goals of Life • The Grihastha Dharma recognize four goals known as the puruṣhārthas. They are: • Kama  Sensual pleasure and enjoyment • Artha Material prosperity and success • Dharma  Correct action, in accordance with one's particular duty and scriptural laws • Moksha  Liberation from the cycle of samsara

12. Yoga • Yogi- practioner of Yoga • Texts include: • BhagavadGita • Yoga Sutras • Hatha Yoga • Type of Yoga Practiced  Goal of Life • Bhakti  Goal  Spiritual Perfection • Jana Yoga  Goal  Pure Love

13. Hindu Scriptures • Hindu Scriptures Divided • Sruti (Revealed) • Smriti (Remembered) • Developed over hundreds of years • Include • Theology • Philosophy • Mythology • Purpose  Spiritual Insights  Practice of Dharma

14. Hindu Practices • Goal of Worship • Awareness of God • Blessings of a Deva • Worship occurs at • Home • Temple • Temples are dedicated to • Dieties • Most Hindus go Only during Festivals • Hindus worship through --> Icons (Murtis) • Image Link between God and Worshipper • Image is  Manifestation of God • Hindu Sacred Art with • Symbols from • Mythology • Literature • Cultural Traditions

15. Important Hindu Symbols • Om  Sound to which the universe was made

16. Important Hindu Symbols • Swastika Sign  Prosperity

17. Important Hindu Symbols • TilakaDot on the forehead

18. Important Hindu Symbols • LotusFlower representing enlightenment

19. Important Hindu Symbols • Chakra Energy Centers

20. Important Hindu Symbols • VeenaString instrument like a guitar or sitar

21. Hindu Rituals • Hindus practice their faith in everything they do • Do not simply go to church once a week • Most have rituals at home • Vary based on • Family • Traditions • Area lived in • Worship includes • Worship at family shrine after meal at dawn • Leave food or gifts at shrine • Light candle or lamp • Rituals practiced daily by • Meditation • Prayer • Chanting  Mantras • Reciting Scripture

22. Hindu Rituals • Purpose of rituals • Get pure rid pollution • Purification Water • Sacrifice or Merit  Charity • Improves Karma • Reduces next life suffering • Vedic rights  Fire oblation (Yayna) • Chanting mantras • Weddings • Burials

23. Hindu Rituals • Religious life-cycle rituals • Annaprashan Baby’s 1st intake of food • Upanayanam  “Sacred Thread Ceremony” • For Upper Caste Children • Formal induction into education system • Shraadh Treating people to feasts for the dead • Marriage and Engagement  Decided by parents • Dates chosen Astrologers • Death • Cremation • Wrapped in cloth and burnt in a pyre

24. Hindu Pilgrimages and Festivals • Pilgramage Not mandatory • Many undertake them • Holy cities: • Allahabad • Haridwar • Varanasi • Vrindavan • Notable temple cities • Puri • VishnavaIagannath (Temple) • Rath-Yatra • Tirumala-Tirupati • Holy sites • Puri • Rameswaram • Dwarka • Badrinath Pilgramages to ShaktiPeethas  Mother Goddess

25. Hindu Festivals • Celebrates • Mythology • Season Changes • MahaShivatra Great night of Shiva • Holi Spring Festival of Colors • Ram Navai Birthday of Hindu God Rama • Krishna Janmastami Birth of the God Krishna • GaneshChathrui Birthday of Lord Ganesh • Dussera Very fun, colorful festival of the mother goddess • DurgaPuji Invokes the goddess Durga to protect the people against evil • Diwali Festival of Lights  Victory of good over evil

26. Hindu Society Hindu society  4 classes called Varnas • Brahmans  Teachers, pritests • Kshatryas  Warriors, nobles, kings • Vishyas  Farmers, merchants, buisnessmen • Shudras  servants, laborers • Untouchables • Can not escape caste • The caste born into  Determined by past life