Post on 29-Dec-2015
Introduction to HINDUISM
The Meaning, Definition and Origin of the word “HINDU”
It is amusing when westerners mispronounces our simple names.
The word HINDU is not a Sanskrit word.
Interestingly the word HINDU came into existence because Persians mispronounced a Sanskrit word. (3000-4000 years)
Persians + Europeans and HINDU
Persians referred Indus River as SINDHU.
The letter “S” was mispronounced to “H”
Hence SINDHU became HINDU.
Originally HINDU was referred to the people living near river Indus but not the religion.
Further Europeans used HINDU for vast majority of non – Muslim population of India.
Who are Hindusany person of IndAbrahamic ian origin who neither practiced religions nor non-Vedic Indian religions, such as Jainism, Sikhism or Buddhism
Hinduism = Sanātana Dharma
Meaning ETERNAL LAW
What does HINDU Belief in?
GOD is the only method for MUKTI
VEDA : Mother of all sastras Rig, Sama, Yajur and Atharva
DO Buddhists and Jains belief in this?
Are Buddhist and Jain considered as HINDUS
NO!
Why?Tirthankar of Jains and Buddha have taught that to achieve MOKSHA, one did not have to accept the authority of the Vedas or the caste system.
Buddha went a step further and claimed that the existence of a Self/soul or God was unnecessary
Hence they are not considered as HINDUS nor do they.
More on HINDUISM now!
How old is Hinduism?
Undoubtedly the oldest of all living religions.
Westerners don belief this
Cos they think history began in Greece.
However its very difficult to measure the antiquity of HINDUISM.
Evidence
RAMA Bridge or Ram Setu
17.7 million years
Sanjivani Mountains and Sugriva cave
The 4 main Division of Hinduism
Vaishnavism … Vishnu as Supreme GOD
Shaivism … Shiva as the Supreme
Shaktism … Mataji or Shakti
Smartism … Panchdeva Shiv
Vishnu
Devi
Surya
Ganesha
Varnas
Brahmins: teachers and priests;
Kshatriyas: warriors, nobles, and kings;
the Vaishyas: farmers, merchants, and businessmen; and
the Shudras: servants and labourers
The Ashram System
Brahmacharya student life 5-24
Grihastha household life 25-49
Vanaprastha retired life 50-74
Sannyasa renounced life 75-100
Conclusion
• Are you proud to be a HINDU. • yes you should be!• If anyone is interested in research contact
your group manager.• Research topics
– Of your choice– Hinduism– Swaminarayan sastras and many more