What is Hinduism? One of the oldest religions of humanity

Developed over centuries

The religion of the Indian peopleEventually led to BuddhismTolerance and diversity: "Truth is one, paths are many”It has a wide variety of traditions, making freedom of belief one of it’s notable features.Many deities but a single, impersonal Ultimate RealityA theology and a way of life – focused both on this world and beyond

How did Hinduism begin?

No particular founderIndus River Valley Civilization >5000 years agoAryans enter 2000-1500 BCEVedic Tradition 1500-500 BCE:

rituals and many gods (polytheism)sacred texts (Vedas, Upanishads, and Puranas)social stratification (caste system)

Vedic Tradition develops into HinduismUpanishads were dialogue to reach moksha, or perfect understanding of all things

Moksha

Not usually achieved in one lifetimeThus reincarnation

Can choose one of 3 pathsRight thinking

Right action

Religious devotion

What do Hindus believe?One impersonal Ultimate Reality – Brahman

Often appears as many different deities

True essence of life – Atman, the soul, is Brahman trapped in matter (“That art thou”)

Reincarnation – atman is continually born into this world lifetime after lifetime (Samsara); until moksha is acheived

Karma – spiritual impurity due to actions keeps us bound to this world; or good deeds improve our status in next life

Ultimate goal of life – to release Atman and reunite with the divine, becoming as one with Brahman (Moksha)

Reincarnation

Brahmin

Moksha

And we too are manifest forms of God!

“We are not human beingshaving spiritual experiences;

We are spiritual beingshaving a human experience!”

“That art Thou”Hinduism is about recognizing the all

pervasiveness of the divine