Hinduism

Basic Facts

• Followers: 1 billion (3rd largest world-wide)

• Founder: None

• Location of Origin: Indus Valley (3000 B.C.

• Place of Worship: Temple

• Holidays: Dwali

• **Does not actively seek converts

Indus Valley

Basic Information

Supreme Being: Brahman (universal spirit)

Gods that Make Up Brahman: Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma

Scriptures:1.The Vedas— “Wisdom”

2.The Upanishads—Mystical ideas

3.Bhagavad Gita—Most sacred…talks about devotion to a specific deity

Brahman

• The Universal Spirit• Is made up of 3 gods

Brahma

• Member of Hindu Triad

• Creator god• Will recreate world in

2,160,000,000 years

Vishnu

• Member of Triad• Preserver god• A force of

transcendent love

Shiva

• Member of Triad• God of destruction

Basic Beliefs

• The Vedas are divinely inspired

• The physical world is an illusion

• We are accountable for every thought, action, word.

Basic Beliefs

• Good works• Reincarnation• Many paths to God• Gods within God • Ahisma—Non-Violence• Dharma—Fulfillment of one’s true purpose• Worship animals/nature as a symbol of god

Beliefs about Life and Death

• Hindus believe in a LONG cycle of reincarnation

• Reincarnation is based on Karma

• Goal—for the soul to be liberated from the cycle to find Nirvana

Holy Sites

• Pilgrimage Cities include Varanasi

• Ganges River

The Caste System

• Not sanctioned by government• Still practiced because of tradition but

many more caste than the 5 below.• Traditional Castes:

1. Brahmins (Priests/Philosophers)2. Kshatriyas (Rulers, Warriors, Leaders)3. Vaisyas (Merchants/Farmers)4. Sudras (Laborers/Servants)5. Harijan (Untouchables)