HINDUISM THE RELIGION OF INDIA Hinduism is the world s third largest religion after Christianity and Islam. An estimated 950 million people are Hindus (14% of the world s population). Hinduism is the world s oldest organized and continued religion. Unlike other major world religions (Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism) Hinduism has no founder. The ideas and beliefs of Hinduism developed over thousands of years. Hinduism is the combination of religious practices found from different people throughout India s history. This is the most important symbol of Hinduism (Aum).
MANY GODS Hindus worship many gods (polytheists). Although they believe in many gods, Hindus also recognize one supreme spirit or life force (Brahman). Hindus consider the other gods to be parts of the one universal God. Three of the most important of the other gods are Brahma, the creator; Vishnu, the protector; and Shiva, the destroyer. Hindus believe that there is a part of Brahman in everyone. Brahma Vishnu Shiva There are an estimated 330,000,000 different Hindu gods. http://safeshare.tv/w/mdejzrgrvj Hindu Creation Story
Let s meet some other important and popular Hindu gods/goddesses.
THE VEDAS Devout Hindus follow a series of four books of knowledge known as the Vedas. These are a series of hymns, poems, and prayers that were at first memorized and eventually written down. The Vedas are believed to contain all knowledge, past and future. EXAMPLE VEDA VERSES Truth cannot be suppressed, and always is the ultimate victor. Life and death, joy and sorrow, loss and gain; these dualities cannot be avoided. Learn to accept what you cannot change. The person who is always involved in good deeds experiences incessant, divine happiness.
THE BHAGAVAD GITA The Bhagavad Gita is another sacred Hindu text. In this work, Vishnu takes on the personality of a chariot driver named Krishna. Krishna and the warrior Arjuna discuss the meaning of life and religious faith. In the following section of the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna explains that Brahman cannot be destroyed. Weapons do not cut it, fire does not burn it, waters do not wet it, wind does not wither it. It cannot be cut or burned; It cannot be wet or withered; It is enduring, all-pervasive, Fixed, immovable, and timeless.
Many Lives IMPORTANT VOCAB TERM: Reincarnation: A belief that each person has many lives. Hindus believe in reincarnation. What a person does in each life determines what he or she will be in the next life, according to the doctrine called karma. Good deeds allow a person to be reborn as a higher being. Evil deeds cause a person to be reborn as a lower being, such as an insect. Hindus believe that animals, like humans, have the supreme force in them. For that reason, many Hindus are vegetarians. Reincarnation creates a repeating cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth. The cycle ends only when a person achieves a mystical union with God. To achieve that, a person must come to realize that his or her soul and God s soul are one. This idea is called Moksha (the main spiritual goal of Hindus). 4 MAIN GOALS OF HINDUS 1) Moksha: The release of the soul from the cycle of rebirth. 2) Dharma: The code for leading one s life. 3) Artha: The pursuit of material gains through lawful means. 4) Karma: Through good acts being reincarnated to a higher level. http://safeshare.tv/w/isaayfjgyn Reincarnation
Many Paths to God Hindus believe they connect with God by following their own individual path. Part of that path concerns one s job, which is linked to the caste system. Devout Hindus must faithfully carry out their assigned duties in life. In the mindset of a devout Hindu, no matter your place within the caste system, it was your duty to do the best you could with your role in life. Hindus have a choice of spiritual practices to grow closer to God. Two of these are also popular in Western countries. Meditation is the practice of making the mind calm. Yoga is a complex practice that includes exercise, breathing techniques, and diet. http://safeshare.tv/w/wjtjnrwbwh Yoga for Kids