3. I. Beginning of HinduismI. Beginning of Hinduism
A.A. Hinduism originated in India in the IndusHinduism originated in India in the Indus
River Valley (5,000 B.C.???)River Valley (5,000 B.C.???)
B.B. Hinduism has no founder, it is aHinduism has no founder, it is a
combination of tribal beliefs.combination of tribal beliefs.
C.C. Hinduism as it is known today beganHinduism as it is known today began
with the Aryan invasion andwith the Aryan invasion and
‘enslavement’ of the Indian people‘enslavement’ of the Indian people
(1500 B.C.)(1500 B.C.)
4. II. Hindu ScripturesII. Hindu Scriptures
A.A. the Vedasthe Vedas
1.1. There are 4 different Vedas the oldest andThere are 4 different Vedas the oldest and
most popular is the Rig Veda.most popular is the Rig Veda.
2.2. The Vedas are ‘exclusive’ scriptures that setThe Vedas are ‘exclusive’ scriptures that set
up a strict caste system (social classes).up a strict caste system (social classes).
5.
6. II. Hindu ScripturesII. Hindu Scriptures
B.B. UpanishadsUpanishads
1. Welcomes anyone to Hinduism,1. Welcomes anyone to Hinduism,
regardless of caste.regardless of caste.
2. Stresses the atman (or soul) of all2. Stresses the atman (or soul) of all
people which are all connected and allpeople which are all connected and all
eventually return to Brahman (theeventually return to Brahman (the
universal soul).universal soul).
C.C. There are 100s of books in the VedasThere are 100s of books in the Vedas
and Upanishads.and Upanishads.
7. III. The Hindu Caste SystemIII. The Hindu Caste System
A.A. A society of 4 different social classes asA society of 4 different social classes as
described by the Vedas.described by the Vedas.
““When they divided the Man, into how many parts didWhen they divided the Man, into how many parts did
they apportion him? What do they call his mouth, histhey apportion him? What do they call his mouth, his
two arms and thighs and feet?two arms and thighs and feet?
His mouth became Brahmin; his arms were made intoHis mouth became Brahmin; his arms were made into
the Warrior, his thighs the People, and from his feetthe Warrior, his thighs the People, and from his feet
the Servants were born”the Servants were born”
Rig-Veda, 10.90 11 & 12 – “The Hymn of Man”Rig-Veda, 10.90 11 & 12 – “The Hymn of Man”
8. III. The Hindu Caste SystemIII. The Hindu Caste System
1.1. Brahmins – theBrahmins – the
priests/religious leaderspriests/religious leaders
2.2. Kshatriyas – the warriorKshatriyas – the warrior
and secular leadersand secular leaders
3.3. Vaishyas – theVaishyas – the
traders/merchants/artisanstraders/merchants/artisans
4.4. Sudras – theSudras – the
servants/laborersservants/laborers
Dalit – the ‘untouchables’ / theDalit – the ‘untouchables’ / the
out - castesout - castes
10. Sweeping, weaving, tilling
the Earth
(Sub kooch ho sak-ee dey)
Show me the man to deny
our worth
(Sub kooch ho sak-ee dey)
Free the Dalit, free the
Dalit, Prime Minister, free
the Dalit
Free the Dalit, free the
Dalit, Prime Minister, free
the Dalit
Caedmon’s Call: Dalit
Hymn
Sing from the village, sing
from the town
(Sub kooch ho sak-ee dey)
Sing everyone who has
been cast down
(Sub kooch ho sak-ee dey)
Emancipate, emancipate,
Prime Minister, emancipate
Emancipate, emancipate,
Prime Minister, emancipate
Sub kooch ho sak-ee dey
Sub kooch ho sak-ee dey
Sub kooch ho sak-ee dey
Skin of the buffalo declared
unclean
(Sub kooch ho sak-ee dey)
Heed Ambedkar, heed
Ambedkar, Prime Minister,
heed Ambedkar
Heed Ambedkar, heed
Ambedkar, Prime Minister,
heed Ambedkar
Emancipate, emancipate,
Prime Minister, emancipate
Free the Dalit, free the Dalit,
Prime Minister, free the Dalit
Heed Ambedkar, heed
Ambedkar, Prime Minister,
heed Ambedkar
Caste is a lie, caste is a lie,
Prime Minister, caste is a lie
Sub kooch ho sak-ee dey
Sub kooch ho sak-ee dey
Sub kooch ho sak-ee dey
Sub kooch ho sak-ee dey
God made every man forward
and free
(Sub kooch ho sak-ee dey)
Rich man, poor man, every
man free
(Sub kooch ho sak-ee dey)
Politically, socially,
everybody free
(Sub kooch ho sak-ee dey)
Rich man, poor man,
everybody free
(Sub kooch ho sak-ee dey)
Caste is a lie, caste is a lie,
Prime Minister, caste is a lie
Caste is a lie, caste is a lie,
Prime Minister, caste is a lie
11. Dalit are also referred to as the
Harijan (meaning God’s people). A
name given to them by Ghandi.
12. IV. The Hindu GodsIV. The Hindu Gods
A.A. Hinduism has 100s of gods, but thereHinduism has 100s of gods, but there
are three main ones.are three main ones.
13. 1. Brahma – the Creator god1. Brahma – the Creator god
Has created the worldHas created the world
and now has little toand now has little to
do with it.do with it.
May created a newMay created a new
world once this one isworld once this one is
destroyeddestroyed
Is worshipped forIs worshipped for
giving life to all things,giving life to all things,
including other godsincluding other gods
14. 2. Vishnu – the preserver2. Vishnu – the preserver
His role is to maintainHis role is to maintain
a balance betweena balance between
good and evil.good and evil.
He returns to earthHe returns to earth
from time to time tofrom time to time to
make sure thismake sure this
happens.happens.
There have been 9There have been 9
reincarnations ofreincarnations of
Vishnu. The 10Vishnu. The 10thth
willwill
be at the end of time.be at the end of time.
15. 3. After a demon
had thrown the earth
into the ocean,
Vishnu as a boar
lifted it above water.
2. As a giant tortoise
to retrieve the gods’
elixir of immortality
which was lost during
the flood
1. As a giant fish to1. As a giant fish to
warn the world of awarn the world of a
flood, and rescue aflood, and rescue a
famous sage and thefamous sage and the
Vedas.Vedas.
The Reincarnations of VishnuThe Reincarnations of Vishnu
4. In order to kill
another demon,
which could not be
killed by man or
animal; Vishnu return
as half man, half lion.
5. Vishnu as a
dwarf tricked the
demon king into
giving as much land
as he could cover in
3 steps. Vishnu
then changed into a
giant and in 3 steps
covered the entire
universe.
6. Vishnu returns as
Prince Rama with an
axe to defeat the ruling
warrior class and
return power to the
Brahmins.
7. Vishnu as Prince
Rama in the
Ramayana.
8. Vishnu as Krishna
who killed his evil uncle
and restored peace to
the land.
9. Vishnu as Buddha10. At the end of the
world Vishnu returns
as Kali to punish the
wicked and destroy
the world so a new
one can be created.
16. 3. Shiva – the destroyer3. Shiva – the destroyer
He is the god ofHe is the god of
destruction,destruction,
purification, andpurification, and
renewal.renewal.
Is not seen as an evilIs not seen as an evil
god but controls evilgod but controls evil
forces.forces.
Sometimes man mustSometimes man must
be tested.be tested.
Often depicted as theOften depicted as the
Lord of the Dance.Lord of the Dance.
17. IV. The Hindu GodsIV. The Hindu Gods
B. Most Hindus do not see their religion asB. Most Hindus do not see their religion as
polytheistic. All things come frompolytheistic. All things come from
Brahman (the universal soul) and desire toBrahman (the universal soul) and desire to
return to oneness with him (even Brahma).return to oneness with him (even Brahma).
18. V. Other Key Beliefs of HinduismV. Other Key Beliefs of Hinduism
Ganges River is seenGanges River is seen
as a gift from theas a gift from the
gods and one way togods and one way to
purify yourself.purify yourself.
19.
20. VI. Other Key Beliefs of HinduismVI. Other Key Beliefs of Hinduism
Puja (daily worship) atPuja (daily worship) at
a mandir (Hindua mandir (Hindu
temple)temple)
21.
22.
23. VI. Hindu view of ‘Salvation’VI. Hindu view of ‘Salvation’
A.A. The goal is to reach Moksha (a state ofThe goal is to reach Moksha (a state of
oneness with Brahman – the eternal oneoneness with Brahman – the eternal one
spirit/god) in order to escape samsaraspirit/god) in order to escape samsara
(the cycle of reincarnation).(the cycle of reincarnation).
24. VI. Hindu view of ‘Salvation’VI. Hindu view of ‘Salvation’
B. Reincarnation – the constant cycle of theB. Reincarnation – the constant cycle of the
‘soul’ through birth, life, and death.‘soul’ through birth, life, and death.
-your next stage of reincarnation-your next stage of reincarnation
depends on your actions in your previousdepends on your actions in your previous
life (Your Karma)life (Your Karma)
25. VI. Hindu view of ‘Salvation’VI. Hindu view of ‘Salvation’
C. Karma – the essenceC. Karma – the essence
of yourselfof yourself
–– can be good or badcan be good or bad
- this is what- this is what
determines your nextdetermines your next
stagestage
- ‘what goes around- ‘what goes around
comes around’comes around’
26. VI. Hindu view of ‘Salvation’VI. Hindu view of ‘Salvation’
D. There are 4 paths to salvation. AllD. There are 4 paths to salvation. All
involveinvolve yogayoga (meaning disciplined(meaning disciplined
training).training).
1. Jnana Yoga: the way to god through1. Jnana Yoga: the way to god through
knowledgeknowledge
- control of thoughts is key- control of thoughts is key
- self reflection/meditation is used to- self reflection/meditation is used to
discover the atman(soul/god within)discover the atman(soul/god within)
27. VI. Hindu view of ‘Salvation’VI. Hindu view of ‘Salvation’
2. Bhakti Yoga: The way to god through2. Bhakti Yoga: The way to god through
love.love.
-emphasis on hymns and scriptures-emphasis on hymns and scriptures
-surrendering ones self to god as his-surrendering ones self to god as his
servantservant
-glorifying god and building a-glorifying god and building a
friendship with himfriendship with him
28. VI. Hindu view of ‘Salvation’VI. Hindu view of ‘Salvation’
3. Karma Yoga: The way to god through3. Karma Yoga: The way to god through
workwork
-focuses on you deeds and outward-focuses on you deeds and outward
actionsactions
29. VI. Hindu view of ‘Salvation’VI. Hindu view of ‘Salvation’
4. Raja Yoga: The way to god through4. Raja Yoga: The way to god through
psychophysical exercisespsychophysical exercises
-focuses on disciplining the mind and-focuses on disciplining the mind and
bodybody
Swami – a
master of one
of the paths of
yoga
30. VI. Hindu view of ‘Salvation’VI. Hindu view of ‘Salvation’
C. All yogas emphasize truthfulness, self-C. All yogas emphasize truthfulness, self-
control, cleanliness, contentment, non-control, cleanliness, contentment, non-
injury, self-discipline and therefore all leadinjury, self-discipline and therefore all lead
to moksha.to moksha.
31. VII. Even More BeliefsVII. Even More Beliefs
A.A. Cows are sacredCows are sacred
32. VII. Even More BeliefsVII. Even More Beliefs
B.B. DharmaDharma
C.C. KarmaKarma
D.D. SamsaraSamsara
E.E. MokshaMoksha
33. VIII. Symbols of HinduismVIII. Symbols of Hinduism
Hindu SwastikaHindu Swastika
Lotus FlowerLotus Flower
34. IX. Hindu Traditions/HolidaysIX. Hindu Traditions/Holidays
Talik – a symbol ofTalik – a symbol of
piety and inwardpiety and inward
focusing onfocusing on
god/Brahmangod/Brahman
