Hinduism 101Global Studies

Basic History One of the oldest recorded religions (5000 or more years

old) No true date of origin No specific founder

It is the third largest religion with approximately 940 million followers worldwide, 96% of whom live in the Indian subcontinent.

In the US alone, 3 million people follow some form of Hinduism

Where ? How? Hinduism emerged when

Indo-Aryan tribes attacked and conquered the Harappan people of the Indus River valley (modern day India.)

The Indo-Aryans created a caste system that controlled the original people and both culture’s religious beliefs merged to create what is today known as Hinduism.

The vast majority of Hindus live in India and Nepal

Hindu Beliefs believe in one God who is infinite and believe that God’s

manifestations are everywhere. (a monotheistic religion?) The most traditional form of Avatar within Hinduism is the

incarnations of Vishnu, the preserver or sustainer aspect of God within the Hindu Trinity.

Because it is impossible for people to comprehend this, God has various representations (incarnations called avatars) to help people to visualize this.

The Hindu Trimurti( or Trinity) Brahma – The Creator

Vishnu – The Sustainer or Preserver

Shiva (Siva) – The Destroyer

Brahma Brahmā is traditionally depicted with four heads

and four faces and four arms. Each head recites one of four Vedas (sacred texts

of Hinduism) Four arms hold:

Septor or spoon for oil (representing sacrifices) Water pot or shell (representing life force of water) String of beads (represents passing of time) Vedas or lotus blossom

Vishnu Is always the color of the clouds (blue) with

four arms: One arm holds a chakra (disk like weapon with

sharp edges) One arm holds a lotus blossom One arm holds a conch shell One arm holds a gada (mace)

Shiva Usually represented as deep in meditation Can change the world for good or for bad Carries a trident, representing the three Gunas

(pleasure, pain, and indifference)

Most often shown with snakes representing his power over death and poisons.

The Ganges River

Falling fromIts source of Vishnu’s feetonto Shiva’shead and outfrom his hair, the water ofthe Ganges issacred enoughto purify all sins.

Holy Cow!

Hindus have always had great respect for Mother Nature and its creatures

Cow is especially significant because it symbolizes gentleness

Cycles of Creation A continuous cycle represented by Hindu Gods

Vishnu, Brahma, and Siva and their shaktis (wives.)

Creation At the beginning there is nothing but a large

ocean. Vishnu sleeps on a serpent as he swims. Vishnu’s

wife (lakshmi) strokes his legs as he rests.

Thus stimulates him to dream the universe into existence.

Views on life in Hinduism Karma – the transmigration of the soul. All people

are part of a cycle of birth and rebirth, with no end.

The only way to release the soul from Karma is to achieve moksha, or perfect enlightenment.

People who have achieved perfect enlightenment are known as yogis.

Samsara The belief that life forms evolve from

experiences in life. Good actions = good experiences in rebirth. Bad actions = bad experiences in rebirth.

Rebirth can be human or animal form.

ReincarnationSamsara is the wheel of rebirth which means the soul is

reborn from one life form to another.People may be reincarnated at a higher or lower level of

existence depending on their karma from their present life.People may be reborn as plants or animals or they may be

elevated to a higher caste as a human.Death is not final for Hindus as they expect to be reborn

many times.

Yoga Hinduism is practiced through a variety of spiritual

practices called Yogas Bhakti-loving devotion and service Karma- selfless service Raja- meditation and exercise Jnana (pronounced gyann) –knowledge and wisdom

Life under Hinduism- The Caste System

Prescribed in the Vedas as an accurate way to sort individuals into different levels of importance. It also indicates one’s life rank.

Unofficially used to abuse people of the lowest status. This group known as the untouchables are to be ignored by other caste levels and do the work that no one else wants to do.

The Caste System Varnas (layers): Brahmin – Education and Knowledge

(Priests and Religious Teachers) Kshatriya – Military and Defense (soldiers

and warrior kings) Vaishya – Economics and Business

(merchants and farmers) Shudras – workforce (laborers) Harijahns – The Untouchables

Varna (Social Hierarchy)

Shudras

Vaishyas

Kshatriyas

Brahmins

Pariahs [Harijan] Untouchables

The caste system is currently illegal in India, but it is still practiced in the shadows by people.

Temple Worship Temples provide an

atmosphere conducive for spiritual progress

Centers of social and cultural activities

Provide a place for collective worship and prayers

Symbolism in Hinduism