HINDUISM – Basic Beliefs

Hinduism

Basic Beliefs

N.B

These are the foundational principles on which a religion stands. Without these basics principles there would be no religion.

Hinduism like other religions has a set of Basic Beliefs.

What are the Basic Beliefs of Hinduism?

Atman Karma Dharma Incarnation Re-incarnation (samsara) Maya Moksha

ATMAN

The soul or ‘real self’. A part of God that is in all living things.

KARMA ‘Action’; the law of

cause and effect. The belief that all thoughts and actions have results that correspond to them.

Karma is an accumulation of every deed, thought, word, and everything else you have ever done in this life and in all of your other lives. All of the good, all of the bad - everything you've done.

Can you think of……

Something similar to karma in your culture? Write it below here.

DHARMA and A-Dharma

Religion or religious duty Ethics and duty The concept behind Dharma is anything that

upholds or sustains a positive order.

A-Dharma is the opposite of dharma; it is the failure of the individuals in the system to maintain the system.

INCARNATIONThis is when a soul or spirits takes on

human or other forms.e.g. the ten incarnations of Vishnu

1. Matsya – Fish2. Kurma – turtle3. Varaha – Boar4. Narasingha – Lion 5. Vamana – Dwarf6. Parasurama – angry man with an axe7. Ram/Rama - killed demon king 8. Krisna – 9. Buddha – 10. Kalki – has not happened yet

RE-INCARNATION

The cycle of birth, death and rebirthThis is when the soul, which is seen as

eternal and part of a spiritual realm, returns to the physical realm in a new body. A soul will complete this cycle many times, learning new things each time and working through its karma. This cycle is labelled Samsara.

An illustration of reincarnation

What is your view on ….

Re-incarnation?

MAYA

Illusory; something that does not last forever

Maya means "that which is not" (i.e. illusion).

MOKSHA

Liberation or freedom of the soul from the cycle of birth and rebirth

it is when the Hindu is at one with Brahman

Caste System

Brahmins - Priests

Kshatriyas - warriors

Vaisyas – skilled workers, trader

Shudras – unskilled workers, servants

Harijans – untouchables, children of God

Caste System…

The caste system ( groups assigned by birth not personality). The Hindu conception of the social order is that people are different, and different people will fit well into different aspects of society. Social order or social class according to varna forms the framework or moral duties according to personal characteristics of individuals (not necessary birth)

Dates back to the invasion of the Aryans around 2, 000 B.C

The society is divided into four groups (with a fifth, “the untouchables.” outside of the caste system)

Caste System…

Brahmin : the seers, the reflective ones, the priests The intellectual and Spiritual leaders

In our culture they would be the philosophers, religious leaders and teachers

Kshatriyas – ) the born administrators (formaly nobles, rajahs and warriors) The protectors of society In our society they would be the politicians,

police and the military

Caste System

Vaisyas – the producers, the craftsmen, and farmers The skillful workers (e.g. merchants)

Shudras – the unskilled labourers or labouring class The followers or the maintenance people

Challenge yourself NOW!

The cycle of birth, life, and death is ended when a person attains moksha, or

a) Divinity b) Liberation c) Karma d) Good karma

Karma is

a) All answers are correct b) Carried over from life to life c) A totality of all a person's actions d)No answers are correct e) A decider of what one will be in the next life

Reincarnation is placing the ____ in a new physical receptacle

a) Karma b) Soul c) Mokshad) Mind

Samsara is the

a) Karmic version of one's deeds b) Attainment of enlightenment c) A false prophet d) Endless cycle of birth and death