Hinduism originated 5,000 years ago in India and has no single founder or church. It is polytheistic, believing in Brahman as the supreme force manifest in the many gods such as Brahma, Vishnu, and Siva. Hindus believe in concepts such as samsara (reincarnation), dharma (duties), karma (consequences of actions), and moksha (liberation from the cycle of rebirth).

1. Hinduism
World Religions

2. The Basic Beliefs of Hinduism:
originated 5,000 years ago
has no single founder or
formal church

3. The Basic Beliefs of Hinduism:
originated 5,000 years ago
has no single founder or
formal church
sacred texts:
Vedas
hymns, legends, and
religious rituals
Upanishads
philosophical description of
the universe

4. The Basic Beliefs of Hinduism:
originated 5,000 years ago
has no single founder or
formal church
sacred texts:
Vedas
hymns, legends, and
religious rituals
Upanishads
philosophical description of
the universe
Polytheistic
many gods

5. The Basic Beliefs of Hinduism:
originated 5,000 years ago
has no single founder or
formal church
sacred texts:
Vedas
hymns, legends, and
religious rituals
Upanishads
philosophical description of
the universe
Polytheistic
many gods
unity of all life
helps promote non-violence
helps people respect nature

6. What is Ashima?
non-violence
respect for all living
things

7. Brahman: A Single Supreme Force
it is present in all
living things
it is nameless,
formless, and
unlimited
it is made up of the
many gods of Hinduism
Feel the force Luke!

8. Brahma
The Creator of the
Universe
Indestructible
Supreme Ruler
Source of All Knowledge

9. Vishnu
The Preserver of All
Existence

10. Siva
The Destroyer of the
Universe
so it could be reborn
again

11. Monotheism vs.
Polytheism
(Is Hinduism monotheistic or polytheistic?)

12. Brahma Vishnu Siva
The Creator The Preserver The Destroyer
God Jesus Satan

13. Monotheism vs. Polytheism
Brahman God
a single supreme force a single supreme force?
Brahma, Vishnu, Siva Trinity
Father, Son, Holy Spirit

14. Reincarnation
rebirth of the soul in
another bodily form

15. Moksha
free the soul from the
body so it can unite
with Brahman
takes many lifetimes

16. Dharma
special moral duties
if performed in this
life, then reborn at a
higher level
if not performed,
reborn at a lower level

17. Karma
based on actions in a previous life
good or bad
A farmer sits The law of
intently at a karma is
gambling table, neutral, like the
his grain grain in the
harvest nearby. man's pouch.
Pondering a One lady puts
wager which out grain for
could make him hungry crows.
rich or risk his Seeing a
family's wealth, beggar's
he knows he is pleading tears,
responsible for a man hoards
his karmas, his grain,
good and bad. bringing tears
Siva silently to his own eyes
witnesses all as well. Another
actions and man, caught
reactions. stealing grain,
lands in jail.