Hinduism
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Transcript of Hinduism
Overview• What is Hinduism?• Origins• Practices• Gods and Goddesses
What is Hinduism?• Originated in India• Dates back to 1500 BC and
many consider it the oldest religion in the world
• Third largest religion • Practiced by 80% of India’s
inhabitants and 15% of Sri Lankans
• Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism came from Hinduism.
Origins• No specific origin• 5000 years ago : Indus River Valley Civilization • 4000 - 3500 years ago : Aryans • 3500 - 2500 years ago : Vedic Tradition
– rituals and many gods (polytheism)– sacred texts (Vedas)– social stratification (caste system)
• 2800 – 2400 years ago : Upanishads • (metaphysical philosophy) • Vedic Tradition develops into Hinduism
Practices• One impersonal Ultimate Reality – Brahman• Manifest as many personal deities• Soul (Atman) – Brahman trapped in matter :’That
art thou’• Reincarnation through transfer of Atman :
Samsara• Karma – spiritual impurity due to actions keeps
us bound to this world (good and bad) • Life Goal – to release Atman and reunite with the
divine, becoming as one with Brahman (Moksha)
Practices• Respect for all life• Human life as supreme:– Four “stations” of life (Caste) : priests &
teachers, nobles & warriors, merchant class, servant class
– Four stages of life : student, householder, retired, renunciant
– Four duties of life – pleasure, success, social responsibilities, religious responsibilities (moksha)
Gods & Goddesses
• Brahma – Primary God , Creator God
Gods & Goddesses
• Vishnu – Preserver God– 10 avatars – Rama with Sita– Krishna with Radha
Gods & Goddesses
• Shiva– Transformer God– Wife Parvarti
– Son Ganesha
Gods & Goddesses
• Saraswati– goddess of wisdom, consort of Brahma
Gods & Goddesses
• Lakshmi, goddess of good fortune, consort of Vishnu
Gods & Goddesses
• Kali, Destroyer of demons
Shukriyaa!Thank You!