HinduismHinduism

Approximately 4000 years old, Approximately 4000 years old, Hinduism is considered one of Hinduism is considered one of the oldest religions in the worldthe oldest religions in the world

The WorldThe World’’s Hindu population s Hindu population lives mostly in Indialives mostly in India

Hinduism is an entire way of lifeHinduism is an entire way of life

It effects what you do, how you It effects what you do, how you dress, what you eat, what job you dress, what you eat, what job you

hold, etc.hold, etc.

There is no holy bookThere is no holy book Multiple writings and stories Multiple writings and stories

provide its ethics and provide its ethics and beliefsbeliefs

There is no dogma (a set code of There is no dogma (a set code of beliefs and ethics)beliefs and ethics)

No weekly day of worship No weekly day of worship (Sabbath)(Sabbath)

All life is sacred. As a result, many All life is sacred. As a result, many Hindu people are vegetariansHindu people are vegetarians

The cow is sacredThe cow is sacred

Water is sacredWater is sacred

The Universal SpiritThe Universal Spirit

All living things have a spirit or All living things have a spirit or energy, called atman, which are energy, called atman, which are

part of Brahmin (Universal Spirit(. part of Brahmin (Universal Spirit(.

These energies are all part of These energies are all part of Brahmin, or the Universal Spirit.Brahmin, or the Universal Spirit.

There are numerous gods and There are numerous gods and goddesses which are all part of goddesses which are all part of

one Universal Spiritone Universal Spirit

Everything is cyclic (a circle)Everything is cyclic (a circle) Creation, maintenance, and Creation, maintenance, and

destruction destruction Reincarnation – rebirth of the Reincarnation – rebirth of the

soul into a new living body (not soul into a new living body (not necessarily human)necessarily human)

CyclesCycles

Hindu people cremate their Hindu people cremate their deceased in a funeral pyre to deceased in a funeral pyre to

release the spiritrelease the spirit

DharmaDharma

Dharma determines all processes Dharma determines all processes in the universe, including the in the universe, including the

individual. It is your duty (what individual. It is your duty (what you are supposed to do) during you are supposed to do) during this lifetime and is the basis of this lifetime and is the basis of

human morality and ethics.human morality and ethics.

KarmaKarma

Karma is the Karma is the physical or physical or

spiritual action, spiritual action, or lack of action, or lack of action, which causes an which causes an impact on your impact on your

next life.next life.

FateFate

Hinduism Hinduism believes that believes that the course of the course of oneone’’s life is s life is

predetermined.predetermined.

WhatWhat’’s up with this?s up with this?

The Swastika The Swastika symbolizes Peace and symbolizes Peace and HarmonyHarmony

““Swastika" comes from Swastika" comes from the Sanskrit the Sanskrit svastikasvastika - - "su" meaning "good," "su" meaning "good," "asti" meaning "to be," "asti" meaning "to be," and "ka" as a suffix. and "ka" as a suffix.

four dots inside each of the four four dots inside each of the four arms. always drawn with the four arms. always drawn with the four inner arms like a inner arms like a ““tt””

Until the Nazis used this symbol, the Until the Nazis used this symbol, the swastika was used by many cultures swastika was used by many cultures throughout the past 3,000 years to throughout the past 3,000 years to represent life, sun, power, strength, and represent life, sun, power, strength, and good luck.good luck.

BBC History of the SwastikaBBC History of the Swastika

As you watch the video clip, take notes. As you watch the video clip, take notes. Consider the following questions: what does Consider the following questions: what does

the Swastika mean to Hindus? How and the Swastika mean to Hindus? How and why has that meaning changed?why has that meaning changed?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_reuMKpgow&safe=activev=E_reuMKpgow&safe=active