2. ORIGIN OF HINDUISM
Originated in India
Cannot be traced to any one
individual
Scholars believe the earliest
scripture of Hinduism (The
Rig Veda) was written before
6500 B.C.
The word “Hindu” is not
mentioned in these
scriptures, but was
established from foreigners
referring to those on the
other side of the River Indus
or Sindhu
BJ
3. THE MEANING OF LIFE
Absolutely open-minded
Does not force followers to
accept god
Hindu scriptures serve as
a “guide” to how they may
want to live their lives as
opposed to telling them the
right way to live it
A general god and a
personal god
Their god does not have a
specific form or name
Hindus see their god in
different forms when they
have different emotions
BJ
4. AFTERLIFE
One can be born again multiple
times before their soul “dies”
(Reincarnation)
They believe one can be born as
a human, animal, plant, and even
a divine that rules over nature
When one is done living their
life/lives, they reach a state of
liberation, which is the ultimate
state
Karma is when one commits
good/bad deeds and these
deeds go to the “karma bank”
and each of the deeds have
either good or bad
consequences
BJ
5. HINDU SYMBOLS
The folding of hands
symbolizes prayer
Hindu people greet one
another by folding their
hands and bowing while
saying the phrase “namaste”
Tilaka is the mark that most
Hindus have between their
eyebrows
The Aum (or Om) is a very
important Hindu symbol.
Made up of the letters a-u-m,
it represents the three
worlds of earth, atmosphere,
and heaven; the three major
Hindu gods
BJ
6. SACRED ANIMALS
Some animals are considered “sacred” in
Hinduism and are to be respected. These
include:
Cows
Mice
Peacocks
Elephants
BJ
7. MYTHS AND RITUALS
Hindus often do yoga
daily to remain “one” with
nature and at peace with
themselves
Puja is a religious ritual
that Hindus perform daily
after they shower and get
dressed. They gaze upon
an image and it provides
a connection to a god or
goddess. It can be
performed by simply
being silent, or by
praying.
BJ
8. HOLY DAYS & FESTIVALS
Diwali - This is the festival of
lights which celebrates the
return of Lord Rama from his
exile in the forest. It is
celebrated in late October & the
middle of November.
Dussehra - This is a
celebration of good conquering
evil which lasts 10 days and is
in late September through mid
October.
Holi - This is a spring festival
to celebrate creation and
Hope renewal.
9. PLACES OF WORSHIP
The Home
Practice of Rites:
At dawn, a man and his wife rise and purify themselves
with a bath. They make an offering to the fire god,
Agni, in their household fire. The man turns to the
rising sun and says a mantra to the sun god, Savatar.
He asks for blessing and understanding.
Shrines:
Small shrines to the gods are important to the house.
They are the focus of household worship. They offer
them food and drink and say mantras and prayers at
these shrines.
The Temple:
The people go to a local temple for everyday worship,
but on special occasions they go to a grander
cathedral. They say mantras, listen to the priest chant,
sing, & read from sacred texts.
Road-side Shrines:
Shrines to gods are placed beside the road as
permanent statues or they are placed on carts pushed
by an attendant. The people say a short prayer or
Hope mantra as they pass it to receive a blessing.
10. THE HOLY BOOK
The Vedas:
Samnitas – the core part
which is composed of
mantras
brAhmaNa – the application
& interpretation of the verdic
samhitas
Aranyaka & upanishats –
the philosophy
In Hinduism, reading the Vedas
is not something that is
required. You can still
achieve Eternal Bliss
without it.
Hope
11. BURIAL PRACTICES
Cyclical reincarnation
Cremation
- intended to release the soul from its
earthly existence
- the soul remains as long as the body
remains
- ritual cleansing, dressing, & adorning
of the body
- carried to the cremation ground while
prayers & chants are being said
- crack skull with a bamboo stick to
release the soul
- ashes are thrown into a river & the
mourners leave without looking back
- 11 day ritual is performed while the
body is on its way to the Otherworld
Hope
12. MARRIAGES
Pre-marriage:
A day before the wedding
the brides feet & palms are
decorated with “mahendi.”
The bride & groom are
anointed with turmeric,
sandalwood paste and oils.
Then they bathe to the
chanting of Vedic mantra.
The marriage ceremony:
In the mandapa or canopy
covered with flowers the
ceremony begins. The
event is long and rooted in
Vedic tradition.
Hope
