HINDUISMBy: Juana Jasso, Andrew Henderson, and Jacob Reid

The Om, the symbol of Hinduism

FOLLOWERS WORLDWIDE

World’s third largest religion. Claims 950 million followers. (14% of the

world population.) Most followers in South Asia.

DEITIES / GODS Brahman is the absolute God of

Hinduism, and is a very mysterious being.

There are several different, “gods” called Devas, which are all different forms of Brahman.

Three of the most common Devas are: Vishnu, the preserver; Brahma, the creator; and Shiva, the destroyer. Pictured at Right

ORIGINS OF THE FAITH Who? - There were no single founders of

Hinduism. What? - Hinduism came to be from adopting

other religious beliefs from India, and basically formed its own beliefs.

When? - Hinduism, thought to be the oldest religion, originated around 1500 B.C. This is the date that the sacred text, the Vedas, was written.

Where? - Hinduism originated in the Indus River Valley, and has stayed very predominate in India.

Why? – People began to bring multiple ideas from different religions, and put them together to make Hinduism.

HOLY BOOK Hinduism does not have one

specific holy book or text. Instead, they refer to many different texts, one of the most common being the Vedas.

BASIC BELIEFS & CORE VALUES Hinduism has many different beliefs

and standards of life: Karma - Karma is the actions, the good

or bad deeds, and work you do, that determine how you will be reincarnated. (How you will come back in your next lifetime.)

Samsara - Samsara is the life cycle of action, reaction, birth, death and rebirth/reincarnation.

BASIC BELIEFS CONT. Dharma - Dharma is one's duty in their

life. A Hindu’s dharma is affected by the person's age, social class, job, and gender.

Moksha - Moksha is the achieved freedom from Samsara (The cycle of life). Moksha would be the equivalent of a Buddhist's Nirvana, or a Christian’s Heaven.

Atman – Atman is one’s soul whether in a global sense, or individual sense.

SIGNIFICANT CHARACTERS IN FAITH Brahman – Brahman is the supreme being of

Hinduism. Brahman is eternal, unchanging,

infinite, and all-powerful. However, all Hindus don’t necessarily

worship Brahman. Brahman is the only real

significant figure in Hinduism. There are several other gods, but none

are as significant as Brahman.

Brahman, pictured left.