Top 5 World ReligionsReligion Believers are

called…

Christianity (2.1 billion) Christian

Islam (1.5 billion) Muslim

Hinduism (900 million) Hindu

Buddhism (376 million) Buddhist

Sikhism (23 million) Sikh

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What is religion?What is religion? A set of beliefs about the nature of A set of beliefs about the nature of

the universe, the existence of one or the universe, the existence of one or more gods, and the meaning of life.more gods, and the meaning of life.

A set of customs related to the A set of customs related to the worship of a god or gods and a set of worship of a god or gods and a set of rules for proper conduct.rules for proper conduct.

Religious Concepts:Religious Concepts: CreationCreation SalvationSalvation

Religions of IndiaReligion Percentage in India

Hindu 82.6%

Islam 11.4%

Christian 2.4%

Sikh 2.0%

Buddhist .7%

Jain .5%

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I. FACTSI. FACTS About 80% of India’s pop. is Hindu.About 80% of India’s pop. is Hindu. There’s no founder.There’s no founder. There’s no unified beliefs .There’s no unified beliefs .

There’s no formal There’s no formal religious leaders.religious leaders.

Hindus may worship Hindus may worship at a shrine, temple, at a shrine, temple, at home or outside.at home or outside.

The Ganges River is The Ganges River is considered sacred. considered sacred.

1. Brahman1. Brahman Def:Def: The all-powerful, spiritual The all-powerful, spiritual

force in everything.force in everything. It’s like the world’s soul.It’s like the world’s soul. Hindus worship many gods that Hindus worship many gods that

give a concrete form to give a concrete form to Brahman:Brahman:

II. BELIEFS

1.1. BrahmaBrahma –the Creator –the Creator

2.2. VishnuVishnu- the Preserver- the Preserver

3.3. ShivaShiva- the Destroyer- the Destroyer

2. Reincarnation2. Reincarnation Def:Def: Rebirth of the Rebirth of the

soul in another formsoul in another form A person’s soul never A person’s soul never

dies. It reappears dies. It reappears after death in another after death in another person or animal. person or animal.

Symbol: wheel of life Symbol: wheel of life

3. Moksha3. Moksha Def:Def: The end of the reincarnation The end of the reincarnation

cycle cycle The soul is free of all pain and The soul is free of all pain and

merges (comes together) with merges (comes together) with Brahman.Brahman.

It’s like heaven and is the goal of It’s like heaven and is the goal of Hindus.Hindus.

It cannot be achieved in one lifetime. It cannot be achieved in one lifetime. One must go through reincarnation. One must go through reincarnation.

4. Karma4. Karma Def:Def: Actions in this life that Actions in this life that

determine your status in the next determine your status in the next life.life.

GOOD deedsGOOD deeds = = HIGHER status in next lifeHIGHER status in next life

BAD “ “ BAD “ “ = = LOWER “ “ “ “ LOWER “ “ “ “

5. Dharma5. Dharma Def:Def: Religious and moral duties done Religious and moral duties done

in this life to acquire merit for the in this life to acquire merit for the next life.next life.

These vary based on class (caste), These vary based on class (caste), gender, job and agegender, job and age

You must overcome your own desires You must overcome your own desires to do your duty. to do your duty.

6. Ahimsa6. Ahimsa Def:Def: non-violence non-violence All people and things are aspects All people and things are aspects

(parts) of Brahman and should be (parts) of Brahman and should be respectedrespected

UN Declares Mahatma Gandhi’s Birth Anniversary As “International Non-Violence Day”

The United Nations General Assembly has decided to declare October 2 - the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi—as ‘International Day of Non-Violence’ in recognition of his role in promoting the message of peace around the world.

7. Sacred Texts7. Sacred Texts

The VedasThe Vedas The UpanishadsThe Upanishads The MahabharataThe Mahabharata

(the Bhagavad Gita is the most (the Bhagavad Gita is the most famous part)famous part)

The RamayanaThe Ramayana

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Scene from the Ramayana. Prince Rama wins the heart of Princess Sita and obtains her hand in marriage after stringing and breaking the mighty bow belonging to Shiva, which no other man could even lift.