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H induism. A B rief I ntroduction. Visit www.worldofteaching.com For 100’s of free powerpoints. S criptures. H undreds of scriptures Oldest scriptures: the four V edas. All scriptures divided into two broad categories: shruti and smriti. M ost popular scripture: B hagavad G ita. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Hinduism
A Brief Introduction
Visit www.worldofteaching.comFor 100’s of free powerpoints
Scriptures
• Hundreds of scripturesOldest scriptures: the
four Vedas.All scriptures divided
into two broad categories: shruti and smriti.
Most popular scripture: Bhagavad Gita.
What “ism” is Hinduism?
• Everything from Atheism to Polytheism
• Different interpretations of the same scriptures led to differences in belief
• Sanatana Dharma Eternal Philosophy
Concept of God
• Nirguna Brahman = God without attributes
• Saguna Brahman = God with attributes
• Saguna Brahman can be worshipped in any shape or form… human or otherwise
Hindu Trinity
• Brahma = the Creator• Vishnu = the
Preserver• Shiva = the Destroyer
• Three aspects/powers of the same divine being
Basic Beliefs
• Karma = the law of cause and effect; “you reap what you sow”
• Reincarnation = eternal soul traverses through different bodies till it finds liberation
Symbolism in Hinduism
Holy Cow!
• Hindus have always had great respect for Mother Nature and its creatures.
• The cow is especially significant because it symbolizes gentleness.
Four Goals of Human Life
1. Kama = fulfillment of desires
2. Artha = accumulation of wealth
3. Dharma = performance of social and religious duties
4. Moksha – freedom from want
Four Paths to Moksha
1. Karma Yoga = Path of righteous action
2. Bhakti Yoga = Path of selfless devotion
3. Jnana Yoga = Path of rational inquiry
4. Raja Yoga = Path of renunciation
Temple Worship
• Temples provide an atmosphere conducive for spiritual progress.
• Centers of social and cultural activities
• Provide a place for collective worship and prayers.
Six Philosophical Schools
1. Sankhya = Sage Kapila2. Yoga = Sage Patanjali3. Mimamsa = SageJaimini4. Vedanta = Sage Vyasa5. Nyaya = Sage Gautama6. Vaisheshika = Sage
Kanada
History of Hinduism
• Originated between 4000 and 2000 BCE• No single founder• Vedas: the oldest scriptures of Hinduism• Veda means “to know”• Rig, Yajur, Sama, and Atharva Veda• Upanishads explain the philosophical
ideas in story and dialogue form
Veda Vyasa
• 1500 BC • classified the Vedas
into the four traditional collections
• composed the 18 Puranas
• composed his great poetic work, the Mahabharata, in a period of two and a half years
Sankara
• Advaitha philosophy• 7th century AD• traveled all over India
having public debates with other philosophers
• true happiness can be attained by removing
avidya (ignorance) and maya (self deception)
Ramanuja
• 10th Century AD• Vishistadvaitha• wanted everybody
irrespective of social standing to enjoy the eternal bliss of Lord Narayana
• Bhakti = complete surrender to the Lord
Madhva
• Dwaitha philosophy• 12th Century AD• the world is not an
illusion.• solitary study of the
scriptures, performing one’s duty without self - interest
• practical acts of devotion
Vivekananda
• First Hindu leader to visit America
• Famous address at the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago on September 11, 1893
• Spent three years preaching the Vedanta philosophy in America and England
• Founded the Ramakrishna Mission
Contemporary Hindu Leaders in America
• David Frawley• Satguru Sivaya
Subramuniyaswami• Mahesh Yogi• Satchidananda• Mata
Amritanandamayi
Festivals
• Hinduism is a celebratory religion• The motive: Festivals keep us close to Gods, invigorate our household and renew our personal life. • Festivals signify victory of good over evil. • Every month of Hindu calendar has at least • one significant festival. Each festival has • regional significance also.• Celebration of diversity.
Yugaadi/Ugaadi:
• The first day of the year according to the National Calendar of India. • The day falls in the beginning of spring• Vasanta Ritu – When the Goddess of Nature gets bedecked as a divine bride.
April/May
Birthday of Lord Rama, the prince of Ayodhya, and his coronation
as a king.
Sri Ramanavami Mahavir Jayanti
Birthday of Mahavira,
the founder of Jainism
Buddha Jayanti
Birthday of Buddha, the founder of Buddhism
May/June
Lord Muruga• Worshipped mostly in South India
•Guru: One’s teacher. The day commemorates the birthday of Veda Vyasa.•Time to remember and felicitate one’s teachers.
Guru Purnima
July/AugustRaksha Bandhan
Symbolizes the love betweenbrother and sister.
Krishnashtami
Birthday of Lord Krishna, favorite lovable God of many :)
August/SeptemberGanesh Chaturthi
Birthday of the elephant God,Ganesha
Durga Pooja/Navaratri
A nine day celebration signifying the victory of Mother Durga over the evil demon King Mahishasura.
October/November
Deepavali: The festival of lights Mother Lakshmi
•Mother Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity is worshipped on this day. •Beginning of the Hindu financial year.
December/JanuaryGuru Gobind Singh Jayanti
Birthday of Guru Gobind Singh, one of the Sikh Gurus
Sankranti/Pongal
Celebration of the harvest festival
February/MarchMahashivaratri
Birthday of Lord Shiva
Holi
Holi, the festival of colors commemorating the victory of
Lord Krishna over the demon Holika