Hinduism:Hinduism:A Way of LifeA Way of Life

Hinduism BasicsHinduism Basics

World’s oldest organized religion.World’s oldest organized religion. 1 billion followers.1 billion followers. Does NOT have a specific founder, beginnings Does NOT have a specific founder, beginnings

lie in the tradition of the Vedas.lie in the tradition of the Vedas. It appears polytheistic, but it is not….It appears polytheistic, but it is not….

Gods are merely different forms of the supreme Gods are merely different forms of the supreme god Brahman.god Brahman.

Hinduism is complex, sometimes Hinduism is complex, sometimes contradictory, and reveals the nature of life.contradictory, and reveals the nature of life.

Sacred TextsSacred Texts

The Vedas ~ Contain eternal truths that were The Vedas ~ Contain eternal truths that were revealed to wise men during the Vedic Age. revealed to wise men during the Vedic Age.

The Upanishads ~ Help to explain the ideas in The Upanishads ~ Help to explain the ideas in the Vedas.the Vedas.

RamayanaRamayana MahabharataMahabharata

Epics used to explain moral laws of Hinduism as well as law codes.

BrahmanBrahman

The nameless, formless and unlimited The nameless, formless and unlimited basic divine essence that fills the world.basic divine essence that fills the world.

All other Hindu gods and goddesses are All other Hindu gods and goddesses are forms of this one supreme god.forms of this one supreme god.

Only a few people can truly understand Only a few people can truly understand Brahman.Brahman.

Overview of Hindu Gods/GoddessesOverview of Hindu Gods/Goddesses

There are thousands of Hindu There are thousands of Hindu gods/goddesses.gods/goddesses.

We will focus on:We will focus on:1.1. BrahmaBrahma2.2. VishnuVishnu3.3. Siva/ShivaSiva/Shiva

4.4. GaneshGanesh5.5. HanumanHanuman

The Hindu Trinity

BrahmaBrahma The “Creator” GodThe “Creator” God

Creates the cycle of light and dark throughout Creates the cycle of light and dark throughout the day. the day.

Create the world and the human race by Create the world and the human race by creating a goddess out of himself.creating a goddess out of himself.

Usually shown with four heads, (and Usually shown with four heads, (and sometimes) 4 faces and arms.sometimes) 4 faces and arms.

Usually holds the 4 VedasUsually holds the 4 Vedas..

VishnuVishnu

Preserver and protector of creation.Preserver and protector of creation. Preserves the universe and maintains cosmic Preserves the universe and maintains cosmic

order.order. Embodiment of mercy and goodness.Embodiment of mercy and goodness. Vishnu is seen in many different Vishnu is seen in many different

manifestationsmanifestations Forms of the same godForms of the same god

Siva (Shiva)Siva (Shiva)

The destroyer of the world.The destroyer of the world. The god of change, which can be good.The god of change, which can be good.

Getting rid of bad habits.Getting rid of bad habits. Often represented in dance to represent the Often represented in dance to represent the

creation and destruction of universecreation and destruction of universe Cycle of birth, death and re-birthCycle of birth, death and re-birth

Crushes the demon of ignorance.Final destruction of creation.

Goddess Ganga is trappedIn Shiva’s hair to prevent The Ganges River fromFlooding the world.

Ganesh (Ganesha)Ganesh (Ganesha)

Human form with the head of Human form with the head of an Indian elephantan Indian elephant Symbolizes perfection Symbolizes perfection

Large head symbolizes wisdom Large head symbolizes wisdom and understanding.and understanding. Trunk = StrengthTrunk = Strength Right Tusk = WisdomRight Tusk = Wisdom Broken Left Tusk = EmotionBroken Left Tusk = Emotion

Conquer emotion with wisdom Conquer emotion with wisdom to attain perfection.to attain perfection.

AtmanAtman

The essence of an individual personThe essence of an individual person Similar to the concept of a “soul.”Similar to the concept of a “soul.”

Each person’s atman (soul) is part of a larger, Each person’s atman (soul) is part of a larger, universal soul. universal soul. All humans are part of the same soul.All humans are part of the same soul.

Because of this, atman and brahman are one Because of this, atman and brahman are one and cannot be divided. and cannot be divided.

What is this a picture of?What is this a picture of?

MayaMaya

The world known to our senses is an illusion.The world known to our senses is an illusion. Our senses will deceive usOur senses will deceive us

Will bring us sorrow and pain.Will bring us sorrow and pain. We can be delivered from suffering if we can We can be delivered from suffering if we can

identify maya. (The illusions.)identify maya. (The illusions.) Unfortunately this can take lifetimes. Unfortunately this can take lifetimes.

People suffer from pain and sorrow because People suffer from pain and sorrow because they pursue false goals, material riches and they pursue false goals, material riches and personal pleasure.personal pleasure.

Role of Animals in HinduismRole of Animals in Hinduism

Cows are seen as sacredCows are seen as sacred They provide the power for the plow, food, They provide the power for the plow, food,

fuel and fertilizer.fuel and fertilizer.

50% of Hindus are vegetarian.50% of Hindus are vegetarian. Not a requirement for HinduismNot a requirement for Hinduism Recommended as a “purifying lifestyle.”Recommended as a “purifying lifestyle.”

Role of Animals in HinduismRole of Animals in Hinduism Other animals play a key role in Hinduism.Other animals play a key role in Hinduism.

Elephant, Monkeys, Turtles, Tigers, Snakes, Elephant, Monkeys, Turtles, Tigers, Snakes, Crocodiles, Rats, etcCrocodiles, Rats, etc

Hindus have a strong belief in the Hindus have a strong belief in the sacredness of all forms of lifesacredness of all forms of life Many of their deities take the form of animals.Many of their deities take the form of animals.

Sacredness of all life. . .Sacredness of all life. . .

ReincarnationReincarnation Official name is “Samsara”Official name is “Samsara”

Cycle of birth, death and re-birth.Cycle of birth, death and re-birth. Refers to the rebirth of the soul, or when the soul enters Refers to the rebirth of the soul, or when the soul enters

the body of another beingthe body of another being Either human or animalEither human or animal

This stresses the importance of respecting all life forms. This stresses the importance of respecting all life forms.

The GOAL is to reach MOKSHAThe GOAL is to reach MOKSHA Free the soul from the cycle of reincarnation & the soul can Free the soul from the cycle of reincarnation & the soul can

unite with Brahmanunite with Brahman..

DharmaDharma

The fulfillment of one’s moral DUTY in this The fulfillment of one’s moral DUTY in this life so that the soul can make progress toward life so that the soul can make progress toward Moksha in the next life.Moksha in the next life.

DUTIES & OBLIGATIONS refer to:DUTIES & OBLIGATIONS refer to: Obedience to caste rules and moral laws.Obedience to caste rules and moral laws.

Offer hope of a better life in the future.Offer hope of a better life in the future. Encourage Hindus to behave morally.Encourage Hindus to behave morally.

KarmaKarma

Comes from the Sanskrit word for “To do”Comes from the Sanskrit word for “To do” It is the positive or negative force generated by It is the positive or negative force generated by

a person’s actions that will determine his/her a person’s actions that will determine his/her status in the next life.status in the next life.

Good deeds bring you happiness; evil deeds Good deeds bring you happiness; evil deeds will bring you sorrow.will bring you sorrow.

A person’s present situation is a result of deeds A person’s present situation is a result of deeds or misdeeds done in a past existence.or misdeeds done in a past existence.

How does KARMA work?How does KARMA work?

People who fulfill their dharma are rewarded People who fulfill their dharma are rewarded with good karma and are reborn into a higher with good karma and are reborn into a higher social group.social group.

If you don’t live a moral life, you will be reborn If you don’t live a moral life, you will be reborn into a lower social group, or potentially animals into a lower social group, or potentially animals or insects.or insects.

Do we see any examples of this in U.S. society?Do we see any examples of this in U.S. society?

The Goals of a Good Hindu:The Goals of a Good Hindu:

1.1. Fulfill your DHARMA.Fulfill your DHARMA.

2.2. Be rewarded with good KARMA.Be rewarded with good KARMA.

3.3. End cycle of SAMSARA (Reincarnation).End cycle of SAMSARA (Reincarnation).

4.4. Attain salvation (Be saved by Brahman).Attain salvation (Be saved by Brahman).

5.5. Enable your soul to reunite with the Enable your soul to reunite with the universal spirit, Brahman. This would be universal spirit, Brahman. This would be MOKSHA.MOKSHA.

Why is the Ganges sacred?Why is the Ganges sacred?

Ganges is believed to Ganges is believed to be “life-giving” be “life-giving” water.water.

Bathing in its water Bathing in its water washes away sin.washes away sin.

To die along the To die along the banks assures eternal banks assures eternal peace to the soul.peace to the soul.

Funeral RitualsFuneral Rituals

For married persons, For married persons, cremation is the cremation is the norm.norm.

Usually cremated on the Usually cremated on the bank of a river and the bank of a river and the ashes are deposited in ashes are deposited in the river. the river.

Family members remain Family members remain in the home for 10 days in the home for 10 days (the length of time it (the length of time it takes for the soul of the takes for the soul of the deceased to acquire a deceased to acquire a new body).new body).

Hindu TemplesHindu Temples

The interior is highly decorated and colorful.The interior is highly decorated and colorful. Idols to the Hindu gods are prominently Idols to the Hindu gods are prominently

displayed.displayed. This is a house of worship, prayer and This is a house of worship, prayer and

meditation.meditation.

Hinduism and the SwastikaHinduism and the Swastika

Holy symbol that represents Holy symbol that represents the creator god, Brahma.the creator god, Brahma.

It points in all 4 cardinal It points in all 4 cardinal directions: N,S,E,Wdirections: N,S,E,W Represents stability and Represents stability and

groundednessgroundedness Used as a decoration for Used as a decoration for

religious purposes.religious purposes.

Hinduism and the SwastikaHinduism and the Swastika

Used to decorate temples, signs, Used to decorate temples, signs, and altars.and altars.

The use by Nazi went against The use by Nazi went against the original intent.the original intent.

Ancient Hindus used it for Ancient Hindus used it for almost 5,000 years before almost 5,000 years before Nazism even existed.Nazism even existed.

The BindiThe Bindi The bindi is a colored dot The bindi is a colored dot It symbolizes the “Third Eye” It symbolizes the “Third Eye”

Focuses inward toward God.Focuses inward toward God. Generally worn by women Generally worn by women

Black representing that you are single and Red that Black representing that you are single and Red that you are married.you are married.

Nowadays, any color is accepted and is Nowadays, any color is accepted and is sometimes simply matched to clothing to sometimes simply matched to clothing to be fashionable.be fashionable.

YOGA!YOGA!

Physical and mental Physical and mental discipline to harmonize the discipline to harmonize the body and the soul.body and the soul.

Goal is to shut out the Goal is to shut out the illusionary world of maya illusionary world of maya and free the mind of bodily and free the mind of bodily concerns. concerns.