Hinduism

Hinduism • One of the world’s oldest

religions–Over 3,000 years old

• No single founder – Formed from the beliefs of the

diverse groups who settled in India• Original people of the Indus valley• Aryans

Origins• Developed from the

Vedas– 3500 – 2500 years

ago– Polytheism

• rituals and many gods– Sacred texts – The Caste System

Braham• One universal spirit• Appears as many different gods – This gave people a concrete way to

worship and understand an impersonal god

Atman • The individual

soul of human beings

Moksha • Ultimate goal of

Hinduism • Union with the

universal spiritual force (Brahman) – Release from

worldly cares and difficulties

• Atman + Brahman = Moksha

Reincarnation

• Sometimes called Samsara

• Atman is reborn into the world after death

• Continues until union with the Brahman

Dharma

• Spiritual and moral duties that must be followed

Karma • All of the deeds of a

person’s life• Allows people to continue

towards Brahman• Goods deeds– Reincarnated into a higher

castes• Bad deeds– Reincarnated into a lower

caste or stuck in the same level

Sacred Texts• Vedas • Upanishads–Nature of the world

and meaning of life• Ramayana and

Mahabharata – Epic poems –Discuss importance

of following dharma

Hindu Gods• Brahma• The god of

creation

Hindu Gods• Vishnu– The preserver

god• Appears as ten

different avatars

Krishna with his consort Radha ; appears in the Mahabharata

Shiva• God of destruction• Constructive

destruction

Shiva with his wife, Parvati, and his son Ganesha

How Ganesha got his Elephant Head

• Parvati (Ganesha’s mom) told him to stay outside her bath and allow no one to enter

• Shiva arrived, and because he had been away for a long time, Ganesha didn’t recognize his dad

• When Ganesha refused to allow Shiva to enter, Shiva cut off his head

• Parvati refused to allow Shiva into her bedroom unless Ganesha was returned to life

• Shiva took the head from the next animal to appear, and restored Ganesha to life with an elephant’s head

All of the many Hindu deities are manifestations of the spirit Brahman