Hindu Dharma for Beginners

1

Hindu Dharma for Beginners

Teaching Resource

Term 1

Vishva Hindu Parishad of Australia Inc.

(World Hindu Council of Australia Inc) (ABN: 78862155168, Reg No: Y2898719, Charity No: CFN10709)

GPO Box 1374, Sydney 2001-WWW.VHP.ORG.AU

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For Beginners Term 1

Term outcomes

Concepts God is one, but has many forms

Religious symbols Aum, Swasthika, Siva Linga, Dipa

Festivals Pongal, Ugadi, Shivrathri, Rama Navami

Values Respect for parents, elders, laws, environment

General Notes to Teachers:

Common mother land.

All the Hindus migrated from different countries and settled in Australia. We all have

common forefathers and ancestors who lived in Bharat (India). The all share the history of the

same land and in their holy books recognize Bharat as their motherland.

The main philosophical ideas of all branches of Hinduism are based on the Vedic literature.

Hindus and the Environment: How we promote peace and harmony in the society

While teaching the river slokas we need explain these things.

Hindus and in Hindu culture: Respect the environment.

Hindus care for and protect the environment.

The rivers - we call river as our mother - Ganga Maatha.

Hindus offer lights /lamps in the river and do namaskarams and do Aarti to the rivers.

This practice proves that Hindus treat the river as a person and not as an object.

The whole universe is created by Bhagwan and everything has given to us.

In this world everything is holy and we respect each other.

We are all the same. The differences are to enjoy, create novelty in the world, like different

colours of flowers in the garden.

Our motto "THE WHOLE UNIVERSE IS ONE BIG FAMILY"

Most of the time we need to take combined classes like k - year 2 and year 3 to 6

In these circumstances, please follow the curriculum

And general rule - K TO YEAR 2 - Ramayanam

YEAR 3 TO 6 Bhagavatam -all the classes Please go through the greatness of two authors,

Rishi Veda Vyasa and Rishi Valmiki and their contributions to Hindu Culture and our

literature.

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Hindu Scripture Syllabus - Year 1 to 4

In year 1 and 2 we introduce the concept and in year 3 and 4 we build it strongly with more activities.

Term I Kindy &Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4

Wk 1 Lord Ganesha ─ Prayer,

Colouring, Chanting

Lord Ganesha ─ Prayer,

Colouring, Chanting


Colouring, Chanting


Colouring, Chanting

Wk 2 Slokas chanting Lord

Ganesha's family -Lords

Shiva, Goddess Parvathi,

Lord Muruga - Introduction

Slokas chanting Lord

Ganesh's family -Lords

Shiva, Goddess Parvathi,


Slokas chanting Lord

Ganesh's family -Lords

Shiva, Goddress Parvathi,


One God, many forms of

God- Slokas chanting Lord

Ganesha's family -Lords

Shiva , Goddess Parvathi,

Lord Muruga.

Wk 3 Many forms of God &

Importance of Guru _

Slokam. Respect to teachers-

Learn to do namaskarams

Many forms of God &




Many forms of God &




Many forms of God &




Wk 4 Many forms of God &




Many forms of God &




Many forms of God &




Many forms of God &




Wk 5 Chanting. Respect for father,

mother, elders

Respect for father, mother,

elders


elders


elders

Wk 6 Chanting. Respect for father,

mother, elders

Stories - Lord Ganesha and

Mango story

Chanting. Respect for father,

mother, elders


Mango story


mother, elders


Mango story


mother, elders


Mango story

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Wk 7 Festivals – Shivarathri.

Spot the difference sheets.

Festivals – Shivarathri.




Introduce art and music



Wk 8 Festivals – Shivarathri.








Wk 9 Religious symbols - Aum,

Swastika.

Lord Shiva chanting slokam

Religious symbols - Aum,

Swastika.



Swastika. chanting Lord

Shiva slokam


Swastika.


Wk 10 Revision, chanting, others Revision, chanting, others Revision, chanting, others Revision, chanting, others

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Term II Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4

Wk 1 Ramayanam.

Sri Rama Slokams

Ramayanam.

Sri Rama Slokams

Ramayanam.

Sri Rama Slokams

Ramayanam.

Sri Rama Slokams

Wk 2 Ramayanam.

Sri Rama Slokams

Ramayanam.

Sri Rama Slokams

Ramayanam.

Sri Rama Slokams

Ramayanam.

Sri Rama Slokams

Quiz+ Cradle Games

Wk 3 Stones - King Dasaratha Stones - King Dasaratha Stones - King Dasaratha Stories, story telling -

Discussion

Wk 4 Good habits – kindness.

Lord Rama’s life.

Compassion

Good habits – kindness.

Lord Rama’s life.

Compassion


Lord Rama’s life.

Compassion


Lord Rama’s life.

Compassion

Wk 5 Good habits – kindness.

Lord Rama’s life.

Compassion.

Value based Stories. Truth -

Harichandra story


Lord Rama’s life.

Compassion.

Value based Stories. Truth -

Harichandra story

Hindus and the Environment.

Chanting River slokams.



Wk 6 Religious symbols.

Hindu greetings

Religious symbols.

Hindu greetings

Religious symbols.

Hindu greetings

Religious symbols.

Hindu greetings

Wk 7 Rangoli Rangoli Rangoli Rangoli

Wk 8 Festivals -Holy - Colour

festivals

Festivals-Holy Colour

festivals

Festivals -Holy- Colour

festivals

Festivals _holy Colour

festivals

Wk 9 Chanting – Saraswati Slokas Chanting – Saraswati Slokas Chanting – Saraswati Slokas Chanting – Saraswati Slokas

Wk 10 Sum up, quiz, trivia

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Term III Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4

Wk 1 Dharma Dharma Dharma Dharma

Wk 2 Hindus and the Environment.








Wk 3 Values - truth Values - truth Values – truth Values - truth

Wk 4 Values - honesty Values - honesty Values – honesty Values - honesty

Wk 5 Ganesha Ganesha Ganesha Ganesha

Wk 6 Festivals - Ganesh

Chathurthi

Festivals - Ganesh

Chathurthi

Festivals - Ganesh

Chathurthi

Festivals - Ganesh

Chathurthi

Wk 7 Festival - Janmashtami- Lord

Krishna's story- colouring

picture

Festival - Janmashtami- Lord

Krishna's story - colouring

picture



picture-children can write the

story half page



picture- Baby Krishna and

Vasudeva- children can write

the story from the picture

Wk 8 Hindu worship - family altar,

rangoli, lamp, garland, puja

Hindu worship family altar,






Wk 9 Tcmples -show the picture of

temples -visual

Temples. Importance Temples. Request the

children to share the temple

they visited recently

Temples. Different country

Temples. SriLanka,

Malaysia, Fiji.

Wk 10 Temples.

sum up, party, trivia etc

Temples.


Temples.


Temples.


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Term IV Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4

Wk 1 Values - healthy food, good

habits bhojan

mantra, (prayer before food)

meditation etc

Values - healthy food, good

habits, bhojan mantra,

meditation etc


habits bhojan mantra,

meditation etc


habits bhojan mantra,

meditation etc

Wk 2 Goddesses - Lakshmi Goddesses - Lakshmi Many names of Lakshmi Many names of Lakshmi

Wk 3 Goddesses Saraswathi Goddesses Saraswathi Many names of Saraswathi Many names of Saraswathi

Wk 4 Goddesses Parvathi Goddesses Parvathi Many names of Parvathi Many names of Parvathi

Wk 5 Family, community - Unity in diversity - Variety of Traditions, custom of Bindhi, bangle, saree etc-common mother land

- Show the photos of saree, bangles, jewellery etc to the children

Wk 6 -do- -do- -do- -do-

Wk 7 Festivals - Navarathri Festivals - Navarathri Festivals - Navarathri Festivals - Navarathri

Wk 8 Deepavali Deepavali Deepavali Deepavali

Wk 9 Group discussion How the

children celebrated

Deepavali

Group discussion How the

children celebrated

Deepavali


children celebrated

Deepavali


children celebrated

Deepavali

Wk 10 Celebration, party etc Celebration, party etc Celebration, party

Etc

Celebration, party etc

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Primary School Hindu Scripture Syllabus - Year 5 & 6

Term I:

Concepts, truths and values

Week Year 5 Year 6

1 Temples.


Temples.


2 One God, many forms One God, many forms

3 The glory of Hindu Culture

How Hindu culture promotes

peace and harmony in the

society

The glory of Hindu Culture

How Hindu culture promotes

peace and harmony in the

Society

4 Hindu values - Dharma Hindu values - Dharma

5 Introduce Bhagavatha Purana - Introduce Bhagavatha Purana

6 Hindu symbols and temples.

Revision and questions about

Bhagavatha Purana

Hindu symbols and temples.


Bhagavatha Purana

7 -do- -do-

8 Reincarnation, Avatar, Concept

of soul (atman)

Reincarnation, Avatar, Concept

of soul (atman)



Bhagavatha Purana



Bhagavatha Purana



Bhagavatha Purana.

Chanting, revision



Bhagavatha Purana.

Chanting, revision

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Term II

Family, Community, tradition and worship

Week Year 5 Year 6

1 Family+ Friends + community=

VHP's motto = Vasudeva

Kudumbakam = The whole

Universe is one family

Family+ Friends + community=

VHP's motto = Vasudeva

Kudumbakam = The whole

Universe is one family

2 -do-class discussion + encourage

children to talk or write about the

above + how to develop up this

- do-class discussion + encourage

children to talk or write about the

above

3 Community+ Environment-

Service to Humanity is service to

God

Community + Environment

Service to Humanity is service to

God

4 Meaning of Hinduism- Means

Service to Humanity. Many

Hindu Practices – discuss

Meaning of Hinduism- Means

Service to Humanity. Many

Hindu Practices - discuss

5 Hindu ancient Tradition = discuss

different family tradition

Hindu ancient Tradition = discuss

different family tradition

6 -do-

chanting before food, before bed,

early in the morning

-do-

chanting before food, before bed,

early in the morning

7 The greatness of Veda Vyaasa +

his work + (mention his work

Mahabharata. epic is the longest

poem in the world- Guinneess

book record

Worship- The greatness of Veda

Vyaasa + his work + (mention his

work Mahabharata _ epic is the

longest poem in the world-

Guinneess book record

8 -do-children write a page

about Sage Veda Vyaasa

-do- children write a page

about Sage Veda Vyaasa +

Bhagavatha purana

9 -do- -do-

10 Sum up, quiz, trivia Sum up, quiz, trivia

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Term III

Music, art, yoga, meditation

Bhagavatha Puranam -at least two avatar in one term - compete all the slokas

Discuss important values learnt from Bhagavatha Puranam

Hindu Practices - Why do we do

Namaskarams and Namasthe - meaning and significance

Term IV

Glory of Hinduism - Hindu art, tradition and culture, different food, costumes , (refer the

photos), Hindu Rishis

Importance of Tulasi Plant-Scientific benefits

Introduction of Vedas. Four vedas. Complete at least two avatar from Bhagavatha Puranam.

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Hindu Scripture for Primary classes Term 1

In year 1 and 2 we introduce the concept and in year 3 and 4 we build it strongly with more activities.

Term I Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6

Wk 2 One God - Many

forms of God

One God - Many

forms of God

One God - Many

forms of God

One God, many

forms of God

Hindu concepts - God is one, known by

many names Karma, atman, rebirth

Wk 3 Many forms of

God

Many forms of God Many forms of

God

Many forms of God -do-

Wk 4 Hindu values Hindu values Hindu values Hindu values Hindu values - hows and whys of many

values

Wk 5 Respect for

father, mother,

elders,

Respect for father,

mother, elders,

Respect for father,

mother, elders,

Respect for father,

mother, elders,

-do-

Wk 6 - do- Stories - do-

Stories

- do-

Stories

- do-

Stories

Hindu worship, personal worship, Public

worship, Puja, Festivals, Pilgrimage,

Havan yagna

Wk 7 Festivals -

pongal, ugadi

Festivals - pongal,

ugadhi

Festivals -

introduce art and

music

Festivals - introduce

art and music

-do-

Wk 8 Religious

symbols - Aum,

Swastika

Religious symbols -

Aum, Swastika

Religious symbols

- Aum, Swastika

Religious symbols -

Aum, Swastika

Religious symbols - more meaning and

significance

Wk 9

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GOD IS ONE BUT FORMS ARE MANY

God is one but He has many forms.

When He does the job of creating He is called Brahma

When He does the job of preserving He is called Vishnu

When He does the job of destroying evils He is

called

Shiva

When He does the job of destroying obstacles He

is called

Vinayaka

When God (Goddess) gives knowledge She is

called

Saraswathi

When She gives us wealth She is Lakshmi

When She took the form to kill asuras Durga

When Lord Shiva took the dancing posture He is

called

Nataraja

When he was born to bill Kamsa and help

Pandavas

Krishna

When He was born to kill Ravana Rama

When He was born as a son of Shiva and Parvathi Karthikeya

When He took the form to help Rama Hanuman

Write in the space the other forms of God that you may know.

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When God takes up different forms to do different jobs He is known by different names. Can

you identify the names of the following forms of God?

Name: Name:

Other names:

Other names:

Festivals for this God:


Name: Name:

Other names:

Other names:



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Name: Name:

Other names:

Other names:



Name: Name:

Other names:

Other names:



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Name: Name:

Other names:

Other names:



Name: Name:

Other names:

Other names:



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Write down the name of this God ………………………………………….(GASHANE)

Other names of this God are:

(1) …………………………………………………………………… (GAPANATHI)

(2) ……………………………………………………………………..(PIYARLLAI)

(3) ………………………………………………………………………(VIYANAKA)

(4) ………………………………………………………………………(VIGSHNE)

(5) ……………………………………………………………………....(MASHHE)

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What is the name of this God:

What is this God doing?

How do you know what God is this?

Write what are same in these two pictures.

What are the differences in these two

pictures.

Write the name of this God.

What is this God doing?

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Many forms of God

Every person is known by different names by different people.

A man called Ramachandra Kulkarni may be called as Mr Kulkarni at work, Ramu by his

siblings, Rama by his friends,Chandra by neighbors, Darling or sweetie pie by his parents,

dad by his kids etc

Similarly God is one but known by many names when He does different job.

Write down as many different names of God as you can.

Share a story on any form of God that you may know with your friends.

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Draw a line to match the meaning given in the first column to the word in the second column.

God creates everything, he is a Friend

God helps us in our need, he is a Merciful

God looks after all of us, he is a Perfect

God is kind, he is Creator

God does not make mistakes, he is Preserver

Write a short story to explain why there are many forms of God.

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Forms of God

God is one but He has many forms.

When he does the job of creating he is called Brahma When he does the job of preserving he is called Vishnu When he does the job of destroying evils he is called Shiva When he does the job of destroying obstacles he is called Vinayaka When God (Goddess) imparts knowledge she is called Saraswathi When she gives us wealth she is Lakshmi

As God does so many jobs he cannot be fully defined. Total knowledge of God is beyond human understanding. So for this reason Hinduism allows use of various terms, names, symbols and images to allow people to discover God in whichever way they want to. This freedom of thought and form of worship is unique to Hinduism.

A man called Ramachandra Kulkarni may be called as Mr Kulkarni at work, Ramu by his

siblings, Rama by his friends, Chandra by neighbors, Darling or sweetie pie by his parents,

dad by his kids etc. He exhibits different qualities as he plays different role.

Name Responsibilities /

Jobs

Qualities

Mr Kulkarni

Ramu

Dad

Chandra

Sweetie pie

Darling

Ramachandra

Kulkarni

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In the following table in the first column write the different forms of God. For each form of

God, write what duty does He fulfill and the qualities needed to fulfill His duties.

Forms of God Duties Qualities

-

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Color this picture of Ganapathy

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Name of this God is

K R I _ _ N _

This God has a F _ _ T _ in his hand.

He has a peacock F_ A _ H_R on his head.

He likes to eat

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Who is this God?

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MORE IDEAS

You can start every lesson with few payers and few minutes of meditation. Asking the

children to sit down on the floor, fold their legs, close their eyes and think of their favourite

God is an easy start of the lesson.

Depending on the day, if the children are alert and eager to learn or restless, you can teach

appropriate bhajan songs, dance etc

Children usually like to do things rather than listening long lectures / information dumping.

So try to incorporate as many activities as possible in every lesson planning.

Story telling by the teachers or the children can also be made interesting if you show pictures

and involve the children.

Teachers can go in Indian traditional clothes when teaching about festivals.

MAKE A GANESHA MASK

MAKE A KRISHNA MOBILE

MAKE A ICON OF GANESHA USING A MOULD.

MAKE A SWEET FOR LORD GANESHA

CELEBRATE ANY FESTIVAL IN THE SCHOOL.

(you probably can involve the whole school, ask permission before doing so.)

TEACH SLOKAS

TEACH ANY YOGA

CROSS WORD PUZZLES

WORD SEARCH

CRAFT WORK

COLOURING IN

GAMES BASED ON HINDU THEME.

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Respect for Mother - Mathru Devo Bhava

In Hindu culture mother is worshipped and respected. Our respects are first due to our

mother, then to father, afterwards to our teachers and finally to God.

Your mother loves you and all of us love our mother.

Year 1 and Year 2

What does your mother do for you?

Write or draw pictures to show how does a mother takes care of her children from childhood.

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Year 3 and 4

Instead of the previous activity talk about Mathru devo bhava and respect for mothers. Tell

the story of Shravanakumar and discuss the following.

In Indian culture we treat anything that protect and feed us as mother.

Mother nature

Vedas are worshipped as Veda Mata – Mother Veda.

Vedas are called Shruti in Sanskrit.

Cow is worshipped as mother. It

provides milk and is the source for

all milk products such as cheese,

yoghurt.

We respect the laws of the adapted country

and worship it as mother country.

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By worshipping the earth as mother, Hindus are

aware of our environment and earth’s resources.

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Mother Means Love

T E L L S T O R I E S C A R E

E G I V E R C H D K K O A W D

A O U L Q X H A W M K M M C G

C A P B H T A C H A F F L U Q

H E L O B Z M O A T E O C O R

U G O L T E M O T H E R Y Y A

G X V A B E A K S A D T Y L K

K V E Y G H K I S S I N G C S

I J K I W H X B T W N I Y N F

M R D F G D T D R B U E T U Y

Word Bank

AMMA

CARE

COMFORT

COOK

FEED

GIVE

HELP

HUG

KIND

KISS

LOVE

MATHA

MOTHER

PLAY

SING

TEACH

TELL STORIES

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FORMS ARE MANY BUT GOD IS ONE

We as Hindus beliieve in God. We believe that He is present everywhere. Like the air which is

everywhere yet we cannot see it, god is present everywhere.

Creator God is the creator of everything: universe, living

and non living things, animals and plants

Preserver He looks after his creation - preserves the plants,

animals and all living things.

Destroyer Destroys evil

Eternal God is eternal. He has always been there and

will always be there.

Perfect God is perfect and pure.

Forgiving: God forgives our mistakes

Merciful: God is kind, merciful and loving

Friend: God is our friend, he is the best and true friend and

He helps us in need and protects us.

All knowing God knows everything

Omnipotent All powerful

Omnipresent He is everywhere and is present in all things

at all times

Loveable and all bliss God loves his creation. Whoever truly loves

him and have faith in him can attain him.

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Write in each bubble, what you think God is.

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One God. Many Forms.

God is one, he performs different jobs and hence has many different names. The forms of

God can be male, female, child or even nature.

WE as Hindus believe God. We believe that he is present everywhere. Like the air which is

everywhere yet we cannot see it, god is present everywhere.

One can use the following words to describe God.

Creator: God is the creator of everything: universe. Living and non living things, animals

and plants

Preserver: he looks after his creation - preserves the plants, animals and all living things.

Destroyer: Destroys evil. Omnipotent, all powerful

Omnipresent: He is everywhere and is present in all things at all times.

All knowing: God knows everything, he knows the universe.

Eternal: God is eternal, He has always been there and will always be there. He has no

beginning and no end.

Perfect: God is perfect and pure,

Lovable and all bliss: God loves his creation. Whoever truly loves him and has faith in him

gets his love and mercy.

Forgiving: god forgives our mistakes

Merciful: god is kind, merciful and loving

Friend: God is our friend, he is the best and true friend, he helps us in need and protects us.

You can visualize God any form you like and should pray with complete dedication.

What is your favorite form of God and Why?

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Try matching the following two columns. Draw a line that matches the

Description Name

God creates eveiything, he is a Friend

God helps us in our need, he is a Omnipresent

God looks after all of us, he is a Perfect

God is kind, he is Omnipotent

God does not make mistakes, he is Eternal

God is everywhere, he is Creator

God is al powerful, he is Destroyer

God knows everything, he is Merciful

God has no beginning or end, he is All knowing

God dissolves evil, he is a Preserver

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Prayer before eating food

Bhoajana Mantra

brahmaarpanam brahma havir brahmaagnau brahmanaa hutam brahmaiva tena gantavyam brahma karma samaadhinaha Sanskrit to English Word Meaning brahma - Brahman; arpanam - the means of offering; brahma - Brahman; havih - oblation;

brahmagnau - unto the fire that is Brahman; brahmana - by Brahman; hutam - is offered;

brahma - Brahman; eva - indeed; tena - by him; gantavyam - to be reached; brahma-karma-

samadhina - by the one who is abiding in Brahman

Translation Any means of offering is Brahman, the oblation is Brahman, the fire in which the offering is

made is Brahman, the one who offers is also Brahman. Indeed Brahman is gained by such a

person who abides in Brahman.

Brief Explanation This verse from the Bhagavad Gita (Chapter 4, verse 24) is commonly chanted before meals.

Brahman is the name for the Lord, the cause of the whole creation. Looking at the whole

creation as an effect, Brahman is seen as the cause of everything. The effect does not exist

separate from its cause. For example, a golden chain (effect) does not exist separate from

gold (its cause). In fact, from the standpoint of its reality, the 'chain' is only a name given to a

particular form of gold; what is, is only gold.

Hindu Dharma for Beginners

Education

Transcript of Hindu Dharma for Beginners