Hinduism

Beginnings•Evolved over centuries•Polytheistic•Deity - god•Brahman – universal spirit

People began to ask…•Why are some people born

into a life or ease while others are born into a life of poverty?•What happens to people when they die?•How should we live our lives before we die?

Hinduism•Main religion of India today•Share certain beliefs, values, or traditions•Beliefs and celebrations may vary based on region•837 million Hindus - worldwide

Hinduism - Beliefs

•Search for truth•Most believe gods help to achieve goals•Same gods as family or caste

Polytheism•Belief in more than one god•Gods are incarnate of Brahman •Believe everything in the world is part of Brahman

Atman•Soul•Holds person’s personality

Goal of ChristiansGoal of ChristiansTo become “free” of sin and be united with GodTo become “free” of sin and be united with God

Hindu Goal•Unite the soul with Brahman•Soul will eventually join Brahman because the world is viewed as an illusion (maya)•Must see through the illusion•Brahman is the only reality

3 Ways to achieve goal…

•Devotion•Wisdom•Right Actions

Reincarnation

•Hard to see through illusion•Takes several lifetimes•The belief in the rebirth of the soul into another body•Form of body depends on ….

Karma•The sum/effects that good and bad actions have on a person’s soul•Evil/bad actions = bad karma = reborn in lower caste or life form

•Got up late•Did not make bed•Gripped about breakfast•Sassy to mom•Did not do history homework•Helped student pick up books•Tripped student walking by•Late to class•Offered to help pass out papers

-1-1-1-1-1+1-1-1+1-5

Karma•Good karma brings salvation•Affects present and future lives

Dharma•Spiritual duties/laws that each person should fulfill•Led to preservation of the caste system•It required and taught accepting one’s place in life

Ahimsa•Belief in nonviolence•Many did not kill living things

Moksha•Salvation; liberation•Freedom from life’s worries and cycle of rebirth

3 Main Gods

•Brahma – Creator•Vishnu – Preserver•Shiva – Destroyer

Brahma• The Creator• Vehicle: swan• has 4 heads, 4 arms,

and a reddish complexion

• not commonly worshipped

• not to be confused with Brahman (the ground of all being) or the Brahmin (priestly caste)

Vishnu• The Preserver• Vehicle: garuda (bird)• has 4 arms, a blueish

complexion, and rests on a snake

• was incarnated (born as an animal or human) nine times with one more still to come

Avatar•God who descends to earth•Incarnation of a deity who comes to earth in human or animal form

Anti-clockwise from left top corner: Matsya, Kurma,

Varaha, Narasimha, Vamana,

Parshurama, Rama, Krishna, Buddha,

Kalki surround Vishnu

Shiva• Shiva• The Destroyer /

Transformer• Vehicle: bull• has matted hair, a third

eye, a blue throat and a trident in his hand

Saraswati• Goddess of

knowledge, music, and the arts

• Vehicle: swan• wife of Brahma• sits on a white lotus

playing a veena

Parvati• The Divine Mother• Vehicle: lion• the reincarnation of

Shiva's first wife• has many forms, such

as the popular Durga and Kali; often shown together with Saraswati and Lakshmi as the tridevi ('triple goddess')

Ganesh• God of the intellect

and the remover of obstacles

• Vehicle: mouse• son of Shiva &

Parvati• has an elephant's

head

Murugan• God of war• Vehicle: peacock• son of Shiva &

Parvati• also known as

Skanda

Durga• A fiercer form of

Parvati• Vehicle: tiger• has ten arms

holding many weapons

Kali• Goddess of time

and death• Vehicle: donkey• usually portrayed

as dark and violent

Rama• Rama• The 7th avatar

(incarnation) of Vishnu

• the central figure in the epic story Ramayana

Krishna• Krishna• The 8th avatar

(incarnation) of Vishnu

• usually portrayed as a child and a prankster; often shown playing the flute

Hanuman• an ape-like god

known for assisting Rama

• Worshipped as a symbol of physical strength, perseverance and devotion

Surya• God of the Sun• pulled on a chariot

by horses

Diw(v)ali•Oct. / Nov. – lunar calendar•Festival of lights – light the path for Lakshmi•4th day – visit friends/family; exchange gifts

Not all followed

Hinduism…Many looked to new religious

ideas!