Hinduism

Mr. Paul Fields, Jr.

Rogers Herr Middle School

™2008

Hinduism

• Hinduism is the oldest religion which dated

back more then 3000 years.

• It worships many gods. Yet it also adheres to the view that there is only one God, called Brahman.

• All other divinities are aspects of the one absolute and unknowable Brahman.

• Hindus believes in the transmigration of souls or reincarnation

• All living things are part of the same essence.• The Karman is the law of cause and effect.• The goal of the individual is to escape this cycle of

birth and rebirth so that the individual soul (atman) becomes one with Brahman.

Influences on Hinduism

• By AD 300-650, the worships of images was firmly established.

• After 550 BC, Buddhism and Jainism emerged.

• Sikhism was founded by Kabir’s disciple Nanak in the 15th century.

Hindu Dharma

• Many different paths to spiritual progress in an experiential process.

• God may be worshipped in many forms and ways

• Eternal bliss achieved through good karma (actions) and renunciation

• All creatures are infused with the same paramatma, and so should be respected

• Dharma as one way of life imbibed in society

Hindu Beliefs

• All animals are trapped in worldly bodies (samsaara), deceived by maya (illusion)

• Ultimate aim is to attain liberation (moksh) from cycles of rebirths

• Acceptance of scriptures such as the Vedas and the Bhagvad-Gita

• Living to be of use to others by relinquishing the ego (ahankara); compassion (daya) to all living

things; live in accordance with nature• Observance of moral values described in epics

such as the Mahabharat and Ramayan

Their Gods

• Hindus believe Brahman, the spirit which encompasses the whole of creation, can be worshipped in various forms.

• The Hindu Trimurti consists of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, the gods of creation, sustenance and destruction.

• The consorts or Shakti (strength) of the Trimurti are Saraswati, Lakshmi and Parvati, who are worshipped for wisdom, prosperity and strength respectively.

• Avatars (incarnations) of Vishnu are worshipped in Krishna (Mahabharat) and Ram (Ramayan)

• Ganesh, son of Shiva and Parvati, is worshipped as there mover of obstacles.

• Hanuman worshipped as symbol of courage and devotion• Rituals are used to help focus the mind on a particular aspect of nature or

Brahman.

A Few Gods

• Vishnu is the protector and the preserver of the world, his worship is called Vaisnavism.

• Shiva is both destroyer and restorer, his worship is called Shivaism.

• Shakti is the Mother Goddess. She can be either beneficial or fierce manifested sometime as Parvati or sometime as Kali.

How Many of You have played this game or heard of this game….?

Its SHIVA…..WOWZERS

HinduSymbols

What do we mean when we talk about symbols?

•Do all religions have symbols?

The Hindu Symbol of Aum

This symbol is the most important and specialsymbol in Hinduism.Aum represents the Brahman(from where the whole universe came).When you say AUM you use

everypart of your vocal organ:A – comes from the throatU and M come from the lips

The Hindu Swastika

The swastika is a very holy symbol representing the sun god Surya.It also showshow Hinduism is about every part/direction of your life.Which four directions could

this mean?

The lotus flower

*Hindus believe the Creator Brahma came from a lotus

flower.*The lotus is also important in Hinduism, as, despite coming from muddy waters, it becomes a beautiful flower.*People too should become kind and good and should never turn in to bad people.

Mr. Fields’ Hindu Symbol The Uzumaki Symbol

The Uzumaki Symbol represents the direction I am headed in.

Also, the symbol represents the world as a whole.Lastly, my Uzumaki symbol, symbolizes

friendships now and friendship to come.

What kinds of things do Hindu symbols represent?

Your task:Design your own religious symbol.

What does it represent?