demographics, history, sacred texts, beliefs, deities, branches, practices, American versions

1. Hinduism
Topic 4

2. Indus River Valley
Sindhu (Sanskrit)
Hindu (Persian)
India (Greek)
India
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Origin of the Name

3. Sanatan Dharma
The eternal path
India
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Hindus call their religion:

4. Demographics

5. Demographics
• Considered oldest religion
• Worldwide 1.058 billion
• 15% of world’s population
• Third largest religion in world
worldreligiondatabase.org (2021)

6. Demographics
• Worldwide 1.058 billion
• India 9.99 million
• United States 1.6 million
• Arizona 33,000
(worldreligiondatabase.org; AZCentral, 2014)

7. Pew Research (2014)

8. History

9. Periods of History
1. Indus Valley Period (2700 to 1500 BC)
2. Vedic Period (1500 to 500 BC)
3. Second Urbanisation (500 - 200 BC)
4. Early Classical (200 BC to 320 AD)
5. Classical Period (320 AD to 500 AD)
6. Medieval to Early Modern (500 - 1757)
7. Modern Period (1757 to 1947)
8. Independent India (1947 to present)

10. Periods of History
1. Indus Valley Period (2700 to 1500 BC)

11. Indus Valley Civilization 2700-1500 BC

12. indiafacts.org.
1500 BC
Indus River
Valley
INDIA

13. Aryan Migration
Central Asian civilization
Aryan is not a race
“Aryan” means “free men”
Mark, J. (2020) World History Encyclopedia

14. Aryan Migration
1500 BC
Sanskrit Language
Early Vedic Literature
Mark, J. (2020) World History Encyclopedia

15. Periods of History
1. Indus Valley Period (2700 to 1500 BC)
2. Vedic Period (1500 to 500 BC)

16. Vedic Period
1500 BC - 500 BC
Vedic texts written
Vedism developed
Religion called Brahmanism
Mark, J. (2020) World History Encyclopedia

17. Brahmanism
1500 BC - 500 BC
Brahman (ultimate reality)
Ultimate god or real being
First Cause
First Rule-Maker
Mark, J. (2020) World History Encyclopedia

18. Cosmology
First Cause
Universe is ordered
Rita (rules the universe follows)
Sanatan Dharma (Eternal Order)
Mark, J. (2020) World History Encyclopedia

19. Cosmology
Humans consist of
• Physical body
• Mind
• Soul
• Atman
Must also have transcendent self to connect
with Brahman
Atman (the higher self)
Mark, J. (2020) World History Encyclopedia

20. Veda Texts
Completed in 1000 BC
Rig Veda
Yajur Veda
Sama Veda
Jones & Ryan. (2007). Encyclopedia of Hinduism.

21. Upanishad Texts
800-400 BC
Mostly Philosophy
Described: Order of the Universe
Jones & Ryan. (2007). Encyclopedia of Hinduism.

22. Periods of History
1. Indus Valley Period (2700 to 1500 BC)
2. Vedic Period (1500 to 500 BC)
3. Second Urbanisation (500 - 200 BC)

23. Bhagavad Gita
500 BC - 200 AD
Described Order of Society
Described Caste System

24. Periods of History
1. Indus Valley Period (2700 to 1500 BC)
2. Vedic Period (1500 to 500 BC)
3. Second Urbanisation (500 - 200 BC)
4. Early Classical (200 BC to 320 AD)

25. Early Classical
Classical Period
Golden Age
Worship of Vishnu, Shiva, Devi
Concept of Dharma

26. Buddhism split
Jainism split
Early Classical
Classical Period

27. Periods of History
1. Indus Valley Period (2700 to 1500 BC)
2. Vedic Period (1500 to 500 BC)
3. Second Urbanisation (500 - 200 BC)
4. Early Classical (200 BC to 320 AD)
5. Classical Period (320 AD to 500 AD)

28. Classical Period
• Gupta Empire (320-650 AD)
• United India politically

29. Periods of History
1. Indus Valley Period (2700 to 1500 BC)
2. Vedic Period (1500 to 500 BC)
3. Second Urbanisation (500 - 200 BC)
4. Early Classical (200 BC to 320 AD)
5. Classical Period (320 AD to 500 AD)
6. Medieval to Early Modern (500 - 1757)

30. Medieval Period
500 - 1757 AD
Proliferation of Teachers
Islamic Invasion
Decline of political influence
Dashavatara Temple to Vishnu
Mark (2020) World History Encyclopedia

31. Periods of History
1. Indus Valley Period (2700 to 1500 BC)
2. Vedic Period (1500 to 500 BC)
3. Second Urbanisation (500 - 200 BC)
4. Early Classical (200 BC to 320 AD)
5. Classical Period (320 AD to 500 AD)
6. Medieval to Early Modern (500 - 1757)
7. Modern Period (1757 - 1947)

32. Modern Period
1757 - 1949
• Battle of Plassey 1757
• British Occupation
• English East India Company
• Christian Missionaries
• Modernization

33. Periods of History
1. Indus Valley Period (2700 to 1500 BC)
2. Vedic Period (1500 to 500 BC)
3. Second Urbanisation (500 - 200 BC)
4. Early Classical (200 BC to 320 AD)
5. Classical Period (320 AD to 500 AD)
6. Medieval to Early Modern (500 - 1757)
7. Modern Period (1757 - 1947)
8. Independent India (1947 - Present)

34. India’s Independence
1949 - Present
Mahatma Gandhi, first Prime Minister
Hinduism state religion
Modernization of Hinduism
Elimination of the Caste System

35. Beliefs

36. Abrahamic Religions Believe Truth was Revealed
Mt. Sinai
Moses
The Gospel
Jesus
Quran
Muhammad

37. Hinduism believes truth always existed
• Shruti — that what is heard
• Recorded in the Vedas
• No prophet or revelation
• Concept: Pre-existent Truth

38. Seven Beliefs
1. Brahman
2. Atman
3. Karma
4. Moksha
5. Kalpic Cycle
6. Dharma
7.The Vedas

39. 1. Brahman
• Universal Soul
• Material everything’s made from
• Energy pervading the universe
• Impersonal Force

40. 2. Atman
Humans made up of
• Physical Body
• Mind
• Soul
• Atman - transcendent Self

41. 3. Karma
Cosmic Justice
Good and bad actions impact:
• Society
• Us later in life
• Us in the next life

42. Past Life Present Life Future Life
3. Karma

43. 4. Kalpic Cycle

44. 4. Kalpic Cycle
1 Kalpa = 1,000 Mahayugas
1 Kalpa = 4.32 billion years
1 Kalpa = 1 Brahma’s day
1 Mahayuga = 1 cycle 4 Yugas
1 Mahayuga = 4.32 million years

45. Satya Yuga
• Golden Age (1,728,000 years)
• Brahma Rules
• Dharma the Bull has 4 legs
• Age of Truth
• Dharma the Bull has 4 legs
• No distinction between creatures
Jones & Ryan. (2007). Encyclopedia of Hinduism

46. Treta Yuga
Silver Age (1,296,000 years)
Brahma Rules
Dharma the Bull has three legs
Emergence of human Civilization
Humans became greedy so
Brahma had to create a warrior
class to keep them in order.
Jones & Ryan. (2007). Encyclopedia of Hinduism

47. Dwapar Yuga
Bronze Age (864,000 years)
Vishnu Rules to maintain order
Dharma the Bull has two legs
Secularization of Humanity
Neglect of the Caste System
Negelect to honor the gods
Truth is no longer followed
Vishnu rules
Jones & Ryan. (2007). Encyclopedia of Hinduism

48. Kali Yuga
Iron Age (432,000 years)
Ruled by Shiva destroyer/creator
Dharma the bull only one leg
Materialism - Warfare
Age of Darkness
Ends in Destruction of Civilization
Shiva then re-creates universe
Jones & Ryan. (2007). Encyclopedia of Hinduism

49. Kalpic Cycle
4 Epochs of Time
Creation -> Destruction -> Creation

50. 5. Dharma
Balance in the universe
Balance in your personal life

51. 6. Moksha
Journey toward Brahman

52. 4 Goals to Acquire
1. Dharma: Balance
2. Artha: Wealth & Prosperity
3. Kama Sutra: Pleasure in body & mind
4. Moksha: Achieved through #1-3

53. 6 Vices to Avoid
1. Kama: lust & coveting
2. Kroodha: anger
3. Lobha: Greed
4. Moha: Obsession with things, people or power
5. Mada: pride
6. Matsarya: Jealousy & coveting

54. 7. Vedas
The sacred texts of Hinduism

55. Seven Beliefs
1. Brahman
2. Atman
3. Karma
4. Moksha
5. Kalpic cycle
6. Dharma
7. The Vedas

56. Sacred Texts

57. Sacred Texts
• The Four Vedas
• The 10 Principal Upanishads
• Additional texts

58. The Four Vedas
1. Rig Veda
2. Sama Veda
3. Yajur Veda
4. Atharva Veda

59. Four Vedas
1500 - 500 BC
Vedic Period of India
Orally transmitted
Divine Texts

60. 1. Rig Veda
Songs & Poems
Truth, Reality, Universe
War, Weddings, Rituals

61. 2. Yajur Veda
Sacrificial rites
Rituals

62. 3. Sama Veda
Sweet song that destroys sorrow
Praises to the gods

63. 4. Atharva Veda
Curses, spells, blessings

64. Upanishads
800 - 500 BC
Divine Texts
Philosophical questions in the Vedas
Concept of the Atman (person’s essence)

65. Additional Texts
1. Bhagavad Gita
2. Puranas
3. Mahabharata
4. Ramayana

66. Bhagavad Gita
Epoch War story
Krishna teaches Arjuna
We all must act according to Duty
(Dharma)

67. Puranas
Encyclopedias of Hindu Beliefs
Yoga
Taxation, Caste System, Civil Law

68. Mahabharata
Longest poem in the world
Epoch story 5 x Bile

69. Ramayana
Epoch story of Prince Rama

70. Hindu Deities

71. Hindu Trimurti
1. Brahama - The Creator
2. Vishnu - The Preserver
3. Shiva- The Destroyer
Brahman Vishnu Shiva

72. 1. Brahma
The Creator
Not equal to Brahman
Holds book of knowledge

73. Brahma’s Heads
The four Vedas
Four Yugas (epochs)
Had a 5th head but Shiva cut it off

74. Saraswati
Brahma’s wife
Goddess of learning

75. 2. Vishnu
The preserver
Preserves world until destroyed
Discis is weapon to cut down those
who upset Dharma

76. Vishnu’s Wives
Lakshmi
Bhu Devi
Pet: Garuda (his eagle)

77. Vishnu’s
10 Avatars
Means “descent”
Ten Avatars
Divine appearances of gods
Intervene to repair Dharma

78. Krishna
Primary Avatar
a. when earth was flooded he dragged
earth out from under the sea
b. Born on earth (like Jesus) spent life
fixing things

79. Krishna & the Cow
Lives in Vrindavan where there are
cows
When born on earth, is born a cow
herder as a child.
Reason why Cows are sacred

80. 3. Shiva
• Means “The Auspicious One”
• Known as the Destroyer
• Depicted as both male & female
• At end of Yuga cycle will perform a
dance to destroy the world.
• Brought Ganges river to earth from the
Milky Way.
Doniger, W. (2021, May 6). Shiva. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Shiva

81. 3. Shiva
3rd eye bestows inward vision, but
also destruction when focused on
someone or something
Skulls around neck = death
Serpent around neck
Riding tiger = victory of animal
instincts.
Doniger, W. (2021, May 6). Shiva. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Shiva

82. Shiva’s Wives
Paravati & Sati

83. Shiva’s sons
Ganesha (remove obstacles)
Murugan (god of war)

84. Branches of Hinduism

85. Four Branches
1. Vaishnavas
2. Shaivas
3. Smartas
4. Shaktas

86. 1. Vaishnavism
• Devotion to Vishnu
• Vishnu is the manifestation of Brahman
• Incarnations: Rama, Krishna, (others)
• Vishnu defends Dharma (moral law)
• Goal is moksha (liberation) spend eternity
in Vishnu’s presence
Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2018, December 28). Vaishnavism. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Vaishnavism

87. Srivaishnava Sect
• Doctrine of Vishishtadvaita (non dualism)
• The phenomenal world is illusory
• But it is the medium to access Krishna
Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2018, December 28). Vaishnavism. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Vaishnavism

88. Madhva Sect
• Followers of the philosopher Madhva
• Doctrine of Dvaita (dualism)
• God & the Atman are separate entities
• Atman depends on Brahman but is not
equal to it.
Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2018, December 28). Vaishnavism. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Vaishnavism

89. Pushtimarg Sect
• Followers of Vallabhacharya
• Phenomenal world is NOT illusory but real
Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2018, December 28). Vaishnavism. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Vaishnavism

90. Gaudiya Sect
• Followers of Chaitanya
• Phenomenal world is NOT illusory but real
• Relationship between Brahman and the
world is inconceivable (we can’t
understand).
Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2018, December 28). Vaishnavism. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Vaishnavism

91. 2. Shaivism
• Devotion to Shiva
• (1) Pluralism - many realities
• (2) Monism - only one reality
Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2015, March 5). Shaivism. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Shaivism

92. Shaiva-Siddhanta
• Shiva philosophical system in South India
• Dated 5th to 9th Century
• Three Universal Realities
1. Pashu - the individual soul (not Atman)
2. Shiva - the Lord, ultimate reality
3. Pasha - soul’s bondage to the body
• Ignorance - we are all ignorant of realities
• Freedom obtained by (a) acts of service, (b)
worship ( c) Yoga - spiritual discipline, and
(d) deep learning.
Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2016, April 6). Shaiva-siddhanta. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Shaiva-siddhanta

93. 3. Smartas
• Traditional sect
• Members of the Brahman, Kshatriya, and
Vishya sect
• Follow the Smriti Texts
• Follow Shankara (8th Century teacher)
• Head monastery in Karnataka, India.
• Follow 5 deities: Vishnu, Shiva, Shakti,
Surya, and Ganesha.
Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2007, March 1). Smarta sect. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Smarta-sect

94. 4. Shaktas
• Worship goddess Shakti (means power)
• Mostly in Bengal and Assam
• Shakti was wife of Shiva
• The Divine mother
• Absolute surrender to her power
• Shakti is a coiled serpent within each
person that is released upon surrender to
the goddess Shakti.
Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2015, January 19). Shaktism. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Shaktism

95. Caste System

96. Bhagavad Ghita
Rig Veda
Created by Krishna
Created to maintain Dharma

97. Brahma’s Body
• Brahmins - priests, Brahma’s mouth
• Kshatriyas - warriors, Brahma’s arms
• Vaishyas - merchants, Brahma’s legs
• Shudras - laborers, Brahma’s feet

99. Caste System in History
• Caste originally based on abilities
• Laws of Manu (5th Century BC) fixed the castes
• Rule #1 - Brahmin are Lord of Castes
• Rule #2 - Hindus cannot change caste
• Dalit - Untouchables, out-caste, emerged

100. Caste System in History
• British exploited castes (1757 - 1930s)
• British established laws to protect (1930s - 1947)
• India established laws full rights to all castes (1947)
• Today, castes mostly social/cultural

101. Religious Leaders

102. Swami
Hindu Holy Man
Teacher with many followers

103. Guru
Any Spiritual teacher
One who initiates followers

104. Pundit or
Pujaris
Hindu Priests
Ceremonial role

105. Yogi
Hindu teacher of Yoga

106. Practices

107. The Third Eye
Chakra
Spiritual Sight
Seer is someone with Chakra

108. Vegetarianism
Non-violence
Dharma with nature
Vegetarianism purifies soul

109. Why are cows sacred
• Because most Hindus are vegetarian and they give milk
• Because they are like a mother who gives life
• Because they are associated with mother goddess
• Because were sacred in the Vedas

110. Why is the cow sacred?

111. Hindu Holidays

112. Holi
Festival of Color (spring)

113. Diwali
Festival of Lights

114. Maha Shivaratri
Venerates Shiva

115. Raksha Bandhan
Honoring brothers & sisters

116. Krishna
Janmashtami
Birthday of Krishna

117. Ganesh Chaturthi
Birth of Ganesha

118. Navrati
Feast of Nine Nights
Rama’s Victory over Ravana

119. Rama Navami
Birth of Lord Rama

120. Ugadi
New Years

121. Hindu Adoptions of
Christian Narratives

122. Jesus in India
Nicolas Notovitch (1887)
Swami Abhedananda (1922)
Levi Dowling (1908)
Nicholas Roerich (1925)

123. Reincarnation
of Krishna
Similar stories
Similar teachings
Allegedly both Avatars

124. Self-Realization
Fellowship Yoga International Fellowship
Of Krishna Consciousness
American Hindu Movements

125. Yoga
Bhagavad Gita
Vaishnavism Branch

126. Yoga
Join, Unite
1. Bhakti Yoga — chanting, prayer
2. Hatha Yoga — physical postures
3. Karma Yoga — acts of service

127. Yoga
Chicago (1893)
Swami Krishnamacharya
Father of Modern Yoga

128. Yoga
Hollywood (1947)
Indra Devi
Yoga Studio

129. Transcendental
Meditation

130. Maharishi Mahesh
Introduced in 1955
Popularized 1960s & 70s

131. The Beatles with Maharishi Mahesh (1968)

134. Self-Realization
Fellowship
Los Angeles, 1920
His teaching on Bhagavad Gita
Paramahansa Yogananda (1893 - 1952)

135. Self-Realization
Fellowship
Los Angeles, 1920
His teaching on Bhagavad Gita
Los Angeles Temple on Hollywood Blvd.

136. International Society for
Krishna Consciousness

137. ISKS
International Society for Krishna Consciousness
Vaishnava Branch
Sri Chaitanya of Bengal (1500)
Devotion to Krishna
Bhagavad Gita
ISKS on Hollywood Blvd

138. ISKS
International Society for Krishna Consciousness
Bhaktivedanta Prabhupada (1966)
San Francisco Counterculture

139. ISKS
International Society for Krishna Consciousness
Public Dance
Promote Vegetarianism
Veneration of Lord Krishna
Chanting “Hare Krishna”

140. My Sweet Lord (George Harrison, 1969)

141. Discussion
• Moksha (Jouney of reincarnation)
• Karma (actions)
• Dharma (balance, order, right behavior)
• Yuga (epochs the compose the kalpae cycle)