HinduismHinduism

What is Karma?What is Karma?

Hinduism: Some BasicsHinduism: Some Basics• Many forms of Hinduism,Many forms of Hinduism,

• A religion of practice more A religion of practice more than beliefthan belief

• Developed in India over Developed in India over 5000 years ago.5000 years ago.

• Over 1 billion followers.Over 1 billion followers.

• Gave rise to other religions Gave rise to other religions (Buddhism, Sikhism, (Buddhism, Sikhism, Janism).Janism).

FundamentalFundamental BeliefsBeliefs• Brahman: the Supreme energy, the whole universe,

the whole of reality, a universal soul or God which takes on many forms. Hindus believe that there is a part of Brahman in everyone called the Atman (soul).

• Reincarnation: a belief that the soul is eternal and lives many lifetimes in all forms of life in one vessel after another (human, animal, or plant).

• Samsara: means going through the cycle the cycle of suffering, death, and rebirth(reincarnation) governed by Karma.

"Worn-out garments are shed by the body; Worn-out bodies are shed by the dweller within the body. New bodies are donned by the dweller, like garments".

(Bhagavad Gita 2:22)

FundamentalFundamental BeliefsBeliefs• Karma: The soul residing in a body reaps the

consequences of its actions (both negative and positive) in the next life. 

• Dharma: The duty one must follow in different stages of their life. Striving to do the right thing, according to one’s duty and abilities, at all times.

• Moksha: Liberation or release from the cycle (samsara) through perfection of the soul

SamsaraSamsara

Dharma- the actions one must do to gain good karma

(@ every stage of life)

Bad Karma = Reincarnation

Your atman is reborn You start over again in the cycle

Perfect Karma = Reunion (Atman &

Brahmam)

Samsara ceasesAtman completes its goal to

return to Brahman

Moral law of cause and effect Every action has an equal and opposite reaction…

We reap what we sow…Do unto others…

What goes around, comes around…

Hindu DEVAS (deities)Hindu DEVAS (deities)• Actually only ONE GOD

(Brahman)– The pantheon of Hindu gods

represent different forms of Brahman

• Trimurti (Hindu Trinity)– Brahma (the Creator)– Vishnu (the Preserver)– Shiva (the Destroyer)

Hindu DEVAS (deities)Hindu DEVAS (deities)• Others:• Saraswarthi (Wisdom)

– Wife of Brahma

• Lakshmi (Wealth)– Wife of Vishnu

• Parvati (Motherhood)– Wife of Shiva

• Ganesha (Remover of obstacles)– Son of Shiva/Parvati

RPE (mandatory 1 of the 4)Hinduism (obligatory RPE): Using the karmic formula in class, determine your karma. Based upon your karma, decide which animal or plant would you would be reincarnated as and explain why (do some research). Please make sure that the living being that you choose is not a Hindu holy animal and is Native to India.

Student Dharma (duty):

1. To honor your parents (10)2. To obtain the best grades possible (10)3. To study hard (10)

Maximum total: 30

Determine your type of karma

0-10 negative karma11-20 neutral karma21-30 positive karma

Holy Animals (you cannot use these animals)- Cow- Snake- Monkey- Rat- Deer- Swan- Horse- Tiger- Elephants-