Slide show on basics of Hindu religion

1. HinduismHinduism
It originated on theIt originated on the
Indian subcontinentIndian subcontinent
with foundations inwith foundations in
thethe Vedic civilizationVedic civilization,,
but has no knownbut has no known
founder, being itself afounder, being itself a
conglomerate ofconglomerate of
diversediverse
beliefsbeliefs
andand
traditions.traditions.
(Sanskrit(Sanskrit))

2. HinduismHinduism
• Makes up 80% ofMakes up 80% of
population of Indiapopulation of India
• Belief in many godsBelief in many gods
• Belief inBelief in reincarnationreincarnation
(the rebirth of souls after(the rebirth of souls after
death)death)
• KarmaKarma – moral– moral
consequences of peopleconsequences of people
The world's "oldest extant religion"The world's "oldest extant religion"
aumaum

3. Vedic originsVedic origins
• Some believe thatSome believe that
the Vedas werethe Vedas were
given directly togiven directly to
the sages fromthe sages from
God, and thenGod, and then
passed down bypassed down by
word of mouthword of mouth
until it was finallyuntil it was finally
codified andcodified and
written downwritten down
several hundredseveral hundred
years later.years later.

4. There are approximately 1 billion Hindus, makingThere are approximately 1 billion Hindus, making
Hinduism the third largest religion in the world afterHinduism the third largest religion in the world after
Christianity and Islam, of whom approximately 890Christianity and Islam, of whom approximately 890
million live in Indiamillion live in India
World religions MapWorld religions Map

5. BhagavadBhagavad
gitagita
Sanskrit: –
The "Song of God" is anThe "Song of God" is an
ancient Sanskrit textancient Sanskrit text
comprising 700 versescomprising 700 verses
from the Mahabharata.from the Mahabharata.
Krishna, as the speakerKrishna, as the speaker
of the Bhagavad Gita isof the Bhagavad Gita is
referred to within asreferred to within as
Bhagavan.Bhagavan.

6. Hindu TempleHindu Temple
Houses of worship forHouses of worship for
followers of Hinduism. Theyfollowers of Hinduism. They
are usually specificallyare usually specifically
reserved for religious andreserved for religious and
spiritual activities.spiritual activities.

8. Who is Hindu?Who is Hindu?
When we think of the Hindu religion, we find itWhen we think of the Hindu religion, we find it
difficult, if not impossible, to define Hindu religion ordifficult, if not impossible, to define Hindu religion or
even adequately describe it. Unlike other religions in theeven adequately describe it. Unlike other religions in the
world, the Hindu religion does not claim any oneworld, the Hindu religion does not claim any one
prophet; it does not worship any one God; it does notprophet; it does not worship any one God; it does not
subscribe to any one dogma; it does not believe in anysubscribe to any one dogma; it does not believe in any
one philosophic concept; it does not follow any one setone philosophic concept; it does not follow any one set
of religious rites or performances; in fact, it does notof religious rites or performances; in fact, it does not
appear to satisfy the narrow traditional features of anyappear to satisfy the narrow traditional features of any
religion of creed. It may broadly be described as a wayreligion of creed. It may broadly be described as a way
of life and nothing more.of life and nothing more.
- Chief Justice P. B. Gajendragadkar- Chief Justice P. B. Gajendragadkar

9. Five Major DoctrinesFive Major Doctrines
• TruthTruth is one, Sages call it by different namesis one, Sages call it by different names
• All Mankind isAll Mankind is One FamilyOne Family
• Law of KarmaLaw of Karma - As you sow, so shall you reap- As you sow, so shall you reap
• That mode of living which is founded upon totalThat mode of living which is founded upon total
harmlessness towards all creatures or upon aharmlessness towards all creatures or upon a
minimum of such harm, is the highest moralityminimum of such harm, is the highest morality
• Whenever there is a decline of virtue, GodWhenever there is a decline of virtue, God
incarnates Himself on earth to uphold righteousnessincarnates Himself on earth to uphold righteousness
VishnuVishnuShivaShiva

10. MandalaMandala
A plan, chart or geometricA plan, chart or geometric
pattern which representspattern which represents
the cosmos metaphysicallythe cosmos metaphysically
or symbolically, aor symbolically, a
microcosm of the universemicrocosm of the universe
from the humanfrom the human
perspective.perspective.

11. This denotes an action that brings backThis denotes an action that brings back
results in this life or in the future life. The doctrine ofresults in this life or in the future life. The doctrine of
karma (karmavada) is based upon the theory of causekarma (karmavada) is based upon the theory of cause
and effect. According to this doctrine, God is notand effect. According to this doctrine, God is not
responsible for the pleasure or pain of His creatures.responsible for the pleasure or pain of His creatures.
They suffer or enjoy owing to the consequences of theirThey suffer or enjoy owing to the consequences of their
own bad or good deeds.own bad or good deeds.

12. Castes in IndiaCastes in India
The Indian caste systemThe Indian caste system
has been in use for manyhas been in use for many
years. Stillyears. Still today thetoday the
values ofvalues of
the caste systemthe caste system
are held strongly. are held strongly.
It has kept a senseIt has kept a sense
of order, and peaceof order, and peace
among the people. among the people.
•Varna is a person's natural andVarna is a person's natural and
right position in society.right position in society.
•The caste one has mustThe caste one has must
dictate his or her role in life.dictate his or her role in life.

13. Caste-SystemCaste-System
• System of socialSystem of social
classesclasses
• BrahmansBrahmans – Priests– Priests
and scholarsand scholars
• KshatriyasKshatriyas – rulers– rulers
and warriorsand warriors
• VaisyasVaisyas – farmers– farmers
and merchantsand merchants
• SudrasSudras – artisans and– artisans and
workersworkers
• DalitsDalits - untouchables- untouchables

14. BrahmansBrahmans
Highest class:Highest class: priests and wisepriests and wise
men of the societymen of the society origin:origin:
Mouth of BrahmaMouth of Brahma
A handcoloredA handcolored
engraving ofengraving of
BrahmaBrahma
Brahma carving at aBrahma carving at a
temple in Halebidutemple in Halebidu

15. soldiers/landownerssoldiers/landowners
origin:origin: Arm of BrahmaArm of Brahma
Lord Sri Rama withLord Sri Rama with
wifewife SitaSita, brother, brother
LakshmanaLakshmana andand
devoteedevotee HanumanHanuman..
Rama and LakshmanaRama and Lakshmana
are always shown toare always shown to
be ready for battle asbe ready for battle as
it is their Kshatriyait is their Kshatriya
dharmadharma to fight.to fight.
KshatriyasKshatriyas

16. VaisyasVaisyas
Artisans/merchantsArtisans/merchants
origin:origin: thighs of Brahmathighs of Brahma
AA VaishyaVaishya is a memberis a member
of the second of the fourof the second of the four
classes of traditionalclasses of traditional
IndianIndian society. Insociety. In
Bhagavad-Gita theirBhagavad-Gita their
duties are stated as cowduties are stated as cow
protection, agricultureprotection, agriculture
and business.and business.

17. Cattle are sacred in India, yet can be used as workCattle are sacred in India, yet can be used as work
animals, for their milk, and for their dung fertilizer.animals, for their milk, and for their dung fertilizer.
These farmer/laborer caste men are cutting grass.These farmer/laborer caste men are cutting grass.
SudrasSudras

18. Discrimination against India's lowest HinduDiscrimination against India's lowest Hindu
castes iscastes is technically illegal. But try telling thattechnically illegal. But try telling that
to the 160 million Untouchables (dalits), whoto the 160 million Untouchables (dalits), who
face violent reprisals if they forget their place.face violent reprisals if they forget their place.

19. Even now, this rejected caste is left to clean the streetsEven now, this rejected caste is left to clean the streets
and do other dirty work.and do other dirty work.
DalitDalit

20. Bull templeBull temple
Shiva’s bull,Shiva’s bull,
NandiNandi

21. SwastikaSwastika
The swastika isThe swastika is
consideredconsidered
extremely holyextremely holy
and auspiciousand auspicious
by all Hindus, and is regularly usedby all Hindus, and is regularly used
to decorate all sorts of items to doto decorate all sorts of items to do
with Hindu culture.with Hindu culture.
It symbolizes Peace andIt symbolizes Peace and
Harmony, Lord Ganesh hasHarmony, Lord Ganesh has
it on his right hand. Differsit on his right hand. Differs
from other uses of swastikafrom other uses of swastika
by the four dots insideby the four dots inside

22. YogaYoga Statue ofStatue of ShivaShiva performingperforming
Yogic meditationYogic meditation
One of the six schoolsOne of the six schools
of Hindu philosophy,of Hindu philosophy,
focusing on meditationfocusing on meditation
as a path to self-as a path to self-
knowledge andknowledge and
liberation.liberation.

23. A systemA system
ofof YogaYoga
that is seenthat is seen
as aas a
preparatorypreparatory
stage ofstage of
physicalphysical
purification that renders thepurification that renders the
body fit for the practice ofbody fit for the practice of
higherhigher meditationmeditation..
HathaHatha YogaYoga

24. Concept of GodConcept of God
• TheThe TruthTruth (Ultimate Reality) is one, Sages call it by(Ultimate Reality) is one, Sages call it by
different names - there is one God, (Supreme Reality)different names - there is one God, (Supreme Reality)
perceived differently.perceived differently.
• Supreme RealitySupreme Reality is worshipped in male and femaleis worshipped in male and female
form.form.
Hindu Deities representHindu Deities represent
various perceptions ofvarious perceptions of
a one God:a one God:
““monotheisticmonotheistic
polytheism,” ratherpolytheism,” rather
than polytheism.than polytheism.

25. Hindu TrinityHindu Trinity
Three manifestations of the Supreme RealityThree manifestations of the Supreme Reality
Brahma : Creation
Vishnu :
Preservation Shiva : DestructionShiva : Destruction
•Three Faces of DivineThree Faces of Divine
•Three Cosmic Functions of the Supreme LordThree Cosmic Functions of the Supreme Lord
•Creation + Preservation+ DissolutionCreation + Preservation+ Dissolution
•GGenerator +enerator + OOperator +perator + DDestroyer =estroyer = GODGOD

26. Lord Brahma,
The creator God
of the Trinity
Lord Vishnu, The
Preserver god of
the Trinity
Lord Rama,
Destroyer of Evil

27. Lord Shiva, The "giver" god. Lord Ganesh, God of
knowledge
Lord Krishna,
Destroyer of Evil

28. Hindu celebration:Hindu celebration: VaranasiVaranasi

29. VaranasiVaranasi
It gets its name fromIt gets its name from
the two tributaries ofthe two tributaries of
the Ganga, Varuna andthe Ganga, Varuna and
Assi. This enchantingAssi. This enchanting
city is said to have beencity is said to have been
founded by Lord Shiva.founded by Lord Shiva.

30. Ten Great ObservancesTen Great Observances
• Patience, firmness and stabilityPatience, firmness and stability
• ForgivenessForgiveness
• Self-control and contentmentSelf-control and contentment
• Not to steal or conceal, or be selfishNot to steal or conceal, or be selfish
• Cleanliness, purity and honestyCleanliness, purity and honesty
• Control over senses and sexual energyControl over senses and sexual energy
• Right knowledge of the scriptureRight knowledge of the scripture
• Material and spiritual knowledge or studyMaterial and spiritual knowledge or study
• TruthTruth
• Absence of angerAbsence of anger

31. ReincarnationReincarnation
TransmigrationTransmigration
The Wheel of TransmigrationThe Wheel of Transmigration
According to Hinduism aAccording to Hinduism a
soul reincarnates again andsoul reincarnates again and
again on earth till itagain on earth till it
becomes perfect andbecomes perfect and
reunites with it Source. Areunites with it Source. A
being has to live manybeing has to live many
lives and undergo manylives and undergo many
experiences before it canexperiences before it can
attain perfection,attain perfection,
becoming one with thebecoming one with the
Divine.Divine.

32. NirvanaNirvana
In Hindu tradition,In Hindu tradition,
nirvana (morenirvana (more
commonly calledcommonly called
mokshamoksha) is the) is the
reuniting withreuniting with
BrahmanBrahman, the universal, the universal
God or universal soul. InGod or universal soul. In
traditional Hinduism, atraditional Hinduism, a
soul reaches this statesoul reaches this state
after living many lives inafter living many lives in
which it climbs upwhich it climbs up
through thethrough the varnavarna, or, or
castecaste system.system.
A mandala showingA mandala showing
The Sure Way to NirvanaThe Sure Way to Nirvana

33. What is meant by this quote?What is meant by this quote?
"Just as a man discards worn out clothes and puts onJust as a man discards worn out clothes and puts on
new clothes, the soul discards worn out bodies andnew clothes, the soul discards worn out bodies and
wears new ones."wears new ones."

35. Rajput WeddingRajput Wedding
BrideBride GroomGroom
This Rajput marriage blends two important families.This Rajput marriage blends two important families.
For traditional Hindus, the rituals of marriage are oneFor traditional Hindus, the rituals of marriage are one
of the most important functions of life.of the most important functions of life.

36. A day before theA day before the
wedding the palm andwedding the palm and
feet of the bride arefeet of the bride are
decorated with a hennadecorated with a henna
design called “mehndi".design called “mehndi".
A canopy orA canopy or
mandapamandapa
decorateddecorated
with flowerswith flowers
is erected atis erected at
the place ofthe place of
wedding.wedding.
HinduHindu
WeddingWedding

37. The founder ofThe founder of Transcendental MeditationTranscendental Meditation and the TMand the TM
Movement, Maharishi's meditation techniques haveMovement, Maharishi's meditation techniques have
been taught to millions of people around the world.been taught to millions of people around the world.
TMTM
Maharishi
Mahesh Yogi

39. LinksLinks
• http://www.hindupaintings.com/product/ZE69/http://www.hindupaintings.com/product/ZE69/
• http://library.thinkquest.org/28505/hinduism/centr.htmhttp://library.thinkquest.org/28505/hinduism/centr.htm
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinduhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindu
• http://www.exoticindia.com/product/TD16/aff10490http://www.exoticindia.com/product/TD16/aff10490
• http://home.austin.rr.com/nayagam/bridal.htmhttp://home.austin.rr.com/nayagam/bridal.htm
• http://www.uuottawa.com/hinduweddingsmain.htmhttp://www.uuottawa.com/hinduweddingsmain.htm
• http://www.hennapage.com/henna/what/gallery/index.htmlhttp://www.hennapage.com/henna/what/gallery/index.html
• http://www.krishna.org/ctfote/varnash.htmlhttp://www.krishna.org/ctfote/varnash.html
• http://worldreligions.weebly.com/hinduism.htmlhttp://worldreligions.weebly.com/hinduism.html
• http://www.ancient-origins.net/artifacts-ancient-writings/vedas-ancient-mystical-http://www.ancient-origins.net/artifacts-ancient-writings/vedas-ancient-mystical-
texts-offer-charms-incantations-mythological-021161texts-offer-charms-incantations-mythological-021161