Hinduism

Origins

Hinduism is the religion of the majority of people in India and Nepal. It also exists among significant populations outside of the sub continent and has over 900 million supporters worldwide.

Unlike most other religions, Hinduism has no single founder, no single scripture, and no commonly agreed set of teachings.

BUT… we know that Hinduism (in it’s many forms) is at least 5000 years old.

Based on ancient ARYAN traditions (nomadic people from Black Sea that conquered N. India)

Influenced BuddhismGanesha- remover of obstacles, patron of arts and science

BeliefsThe term 'Hindu' was derived from the river or

river complex of the northwest, the Sindhu.

Hindus believe that existence is a cycle of birth, death, and rebirth governed by Karma.

Hindus believe that the actions of this life determine whether your next life will be a good one. You may become a cockroach if you are mean to others and do not lead a good life!

Hindus believe that the soul passes through a cycle of successive lives and its next incarnation is always dependent on how the previous life was lived. The most superior species to be reincarnated as is HUMAN in an upper caste.

The aim of Hinduism is to lead such a good life they they can escape the cycle of reincarnation and go to heaven. They will become one with BRAHMAN- a pwerful form of energy that is everywhere and always existed.

Beliefs- Continued Most Hindus believe in a Supreme

God whose qualities and forms are represented by the many deities (gods) which emanate from him.

This supreme god is BRAHMAN. He is the energy and spirit that is in everyone and everything

The three main gods are: Brahma- creater of the world (note

that Brahma is not the same as Brahman!)

Vishnu- takes care of the world

Shiva- the destroyer

Beliefs or Eternal Truths

•Take care of holy people, the elderly, children and animals

(cows are sacred!)

•Protect the safety of all people

•Provide for the extended family

•Give money, food and clothes to the poor

•Cannot be violent and greedy

Sacred Texts

The main Hindu texts are the Vedas and their supplements. Veda is Sandskrit for “knowledge”.

Scriptures passed down orally until finally written down between 1500 BC and 500 BC.

Gives advice, has hymns to gods, how to perform rituals, info on science and music and advice for people who retreat from society to live in the forest….

SymbolsOum- a sacred sound in

Hinduism

-holy books remembered by chanting in the past,

therefore, Hindus believe world is filled with the sound

and energy of “OUM”

Swastika- ancient symbol of good luck