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Three devas- Brahma, Vishnu, Siva -are particularly influential. Some believe in thousands; others worship only one as the true manifestation of Brahman.

One of the world’s oldest religions, Hinduism, is practiced by most people in India today. Hinduism evolved over thousands of years and was influenced by the cultures and traditions of many peoples. However a few fundamental teachings are shared by nearly all Hindus.

• Among most basic tenets of Hinduism, belief in Brahman, eternal being that created, preserves world

• Brahman all-encompassing

• Many believe human mind incapable of understanding

Brahman

Basic Teachings of Hinduism

• Hindus believe each person has atman, soul, aspect of Brahman

• Atman shapes personality, cannot be destroyed, even by death

• Devas, manifestations of Brahman, active in world, helping maintain order in nature

Atman

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Pattern of Life• Hindus believe universe, everyone in it, part of continual pattern of birth,

death, and rebirth

• After death atman reborn in process called reincarnation, or samsara

Dharma • With moksha, atman leaves world, reunites fully with Brahman

• To achieve moksha is to fulfill one’s dharma—spiritual duties, obligations

• By fulfilling dharma, one creates good karma, breaks free from rebirth cycle

New Life• Nature of person’s new life shaped by karma—sum effect of deeds, actions

• Good karma, reincarnated to better station in life; bad karma, lower station in life

• Ultimate goal of human existence, moksha, escape from cycle of rebirth

Rebirth and Salvation

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Define

What is moksha, and how is it central to Hindu teachings?

Answer(s): escape from cycle of rebirth, reunion with Brahman; ultimate goal for Hindus; way to achieve moksha is to fulfill one's dharma

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Much of Hinduism’s evolution stemmed from a number of sacred writings produced over centuries.

• Teachings, practices based on many texts, most sorted into one of three categories

– The Vedas

– Later writings inspired by the Vedas

– Sacred epics

• The Vedas, sacred hymns of praise, among earliest sacred texts of Hinduism

Sacred Texts• Name means “knowledge” in

Sanskrit

• Hindus consider Vedas to contain eternal knowledge not written by humans, revealed to them by Brahman

• Parts of Vedas date back more than 3,000 years

• Considered core of Hinduism even today

The Vedas

Sacred Texts and Practices

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Ramayana, Mahabharata

• Other sacred texts based on themes in the Vedas, but composed by sages, including two epic poems, Ramayana and Mahabharata

• Each tells story, reflects on living according to Vedic teachings

• Included in Mahabharata, most sacred of all Hindu texts, the Bhagavad Gita, addressing many aspects of Hindu belief, philosophy

Upanishads

• Sacred texts that built upon the Vedas appeared

• Some, such as Upanishads, also believed to have been revealed rather than written by people

• Upanishads philosophical reflections on the Vedas, dealing with nature of world, meaning of life

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• To help meditate, Hindus practice series of integrated physical, mental exercises called yoga

• Yoga teaches people how to focus bodies, minds to aid meditation, help attain moksha

• Hindus also make pilgrimages to Ganges River to purify, remove bad karma

Meditation, Pilgrimages

• Hindu beliefs vary widely, religious practices vary as well; worship can take place anywhere

• At temples, priests might recite, read portions of the Vedas; image of a deva sometimes carried out of temple to people

• At home, food, drink, gifts offered for deva; meditation, silent reflection

Worship

Hindu Religious Practices

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Categorize

What types of sacred texts help shape Hindu beliefs?

Answer(s): Vedas, writings inspired by the Vedas, sacred epics