Hinduism is the world's third largest religion with around 15% of the global population adhering to it. The religion originated in India over 3000 years ago and has no single founder. It is based on a diverse collection of scriptures including the Vedas and Upanishads. Hindus believe in an ultimate reality called Brahman and worship three primary deities - Brahma the creator, Vishnu the preserver, and Shiva the destroyer. Followers seek liberation from the cycle of life through devotion to gods, knowledge, or selfless action.
Hinduism originated in India and has no single founder or religious authority. It believes in Brahman as the divine ultimate reality and concepts like Atman, Maya, Karma, Samsara and Moksha. The Vedas and Upanishads are early Hindu scriptures discussing Brahman, Atman and spiritual concepts. Hinduism later incorporated the Bhagavad Gita and developed beliefs around deities like Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva and Devi as objects of devotion. It also incorporates the caste system and four stages of life. Modern Hinduism faces challenges from historical invasions and influences from other religions but leaders like Gandhi promoted non-violence and religious tolerance.
Religion is a collection of belief systems and worldviews that relate humanity to spirituality and moral values. It provides emotional support and security for believers by offering meaning and transcendence. Religion also functions as social control by sacralizing social norms and values, and can enable social change by justifying social movements. Additionally, religion contributes to individual and group identities and directs aspects of people's lives like rites of passage.
This document provides an overview of ancient Chinese religious traditions, focusing on Daoism and its key concepts. It discusses the belief in spirits and the supreme being Shangdi. Ancestral veneration and the Mandate of Heaven are also summarized. The document outlines core Daoist ideas like Yin and Yang, Qi energy, and the Dao/Tao as the natural order. It traces the development of Daoism over time through figures like Laozi and texts like the Dao De Jing. Various Daoist branches focusing on rituals, meditation, alchemy and longevity are also summarized.
1. FOUNDER OF CONFUCIANISM
2. ORIGIN/HISTORY OF CONFUCIANISM
3. BELIEFS AND PRACTICE OF CONFUCIANISM
4. SYMBOL OF CONFUCIANISM
5. HOLY BOOKS OF CONFUCIANISM
6. GOD/GODDESSES
7. PLACE OF WORSHIP
8. CASTE SYSTEM OF CONFUCIANISM
9. HOLIDAYS
This document discusses the positive and negative effects of religion. Positively, religion can promote social harmony by bringing people together, provide moral values and social change, explain phenomena, and give people purpose and belonging. However, it can also affirm social hierarchies, cause discrimination through intolerant beliefs, trigger conflicts and violence, be used to control people economically, and impede scientific advancement by rejecting theories that contradict religious doctrines.
The origins of Hinduism began around 1500 BC when the Aryans migrated to India from Central Asia, bringing their religion Brahmanism with them. Over time, the Aryans blended with the native Dravidian people and their culture. Hinduism developed from Brahmanism, incorporating beliefs such as reincarnation, karma, and the trinity of Brahma the creator, Vishnu the preserver, and Shiva the destroyer. Rituals, sacred texts like the Vedas and the Bhagavad Gita, and the caste system also became central aspects of Hinduism.
Culture is defined as the totality of learned behaviors, beliefs, knowledge, and customs that are socially transmitted. It includes material objects and nonmaterial aspects like language, religion, technology, values and norms. Culture provides a blueprint for how to behave and interact with others. It is learned, patterned, adaptive and compulsory. Cultural elements include ideas, beliefs, values, norms, sanctions, laws, fashion and material objects. Culture shapes individual development and interpretation of reality.
Hinduism originated in India and has no single founder or religious authority. It believes in Brahman as the divine ultimate reality and concepts like Atman, Maya, Karma, Samsara and Moksha. The Vedas and Upanishads are early Hindu scriptures discussing Brahman, Atman and spiritual concepts. Hinduism later incorporated the Bhagavad Gita and developed beliefs around deities like Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva and Devi as objects of devotion. It also incorporates the caste system and four stages of life. Modern Hinduism faces challenges from historical invasions and influences from other religions but leaders like Gandhi promoted non-violence and religious tolerance.
Religion is a collection of belief systems and worldviews that relate humanity to spirituality and moral values. It provides emotional support and security for believers by offering meaning and transcendence. Religion also functions as social control by sacralizing social norms and values, and can enable social change by justifying social movements. Additionally, religion contributes to individual and group identities and directs aspects of people's lives like rites of passage.
This document provides an overview of ancient Chinese religious traditions, focusing on Daoism and its key concepts. It discusses the belief in spirits and the supreme being Shangdi. Ancestral veneration and the Mandate of Heaven are also summarized. The document outlines core Daoist ideas like Yin and Yang, Qi energy, and the Dao/Tao as the natural order. It traces the development of Daoism over time through figures like Laozi and texts like the Dao De Jing. Various Daoist branches focusing on rituals, meditation, alchemy and longevity are also summarized.
1. FOUNDER OF CONFUCIANISM
2. ORIGIN/HISTORY OF CONFUCIANISM
3. BELIEFS AND PRACTICE OF CONFUCIANISM
4. SYMBOL OF CONFUCIANISM
5. HOLY BOOKS OF CONFUCIANISM
6. GOD/GODDESSES
7. PLACE OF WORSHIP
8. CASTE SYSTEM OF CONFUCIANISM
9. HOLIDAYS
This document discusses the positive and negative effects of religion. Positively, religion can promote social harmony by bringing people together, provide moral values and social change, explain phenomena, and give people purpose and belonging. However, it can also affirm social hierarchies, cause discrimination through intolerant beliefs, trigger conflicts and violence, be used to control people economically, and impede scientific advancement by rejecting theories that contradict religious doctrines.
The origins of Hinduism began around 1500 BC when the Aryans migrated to India from Central Asia, bringing their religion Brahmanism with them. Over time, the Aryans blended with the native Dravidian people and their culture. Hinduism developed from Brahmanism, incorporating beliefs such as reincarnation, karma, and the trinity of Brahma the creator, Vishnu the preserver, and Shiva the destroyer. Rituals, sacred texts like the Vedas and the Bhagavad Gita, and the caste system also became central aspects of Hinduism.
Culture is defined as the totality of learned behaviors, beliefs, knowledge, and customs that are socially transmitted. It includes material objects and nonmaterial aspects like language, religion, technology, values and norms. Culture provides a blueprint for how to behave and interact with others. It is learned, patterned, adaptive and compulsory. Cultural elements include ideas, beliefs, values, norms, sanctions, laws, fashion and material objects. Culture shapes individual development and interpretation of reality.
Comparative Analysis of Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism.pptxVincentAcapen
Both Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism originated in India and share key concepts like the Four Noble Truths and Noble Eightfold Path. They differ in their views of dharma/dhamma, purpose, and views of enlightenment. Theravada focuses on monastic life as the path to enlightenment for monks, while Mahayana offers faster paths open to all. Theravada sees individuals achieving nirvana through their own efforts, while Mahayana venerates bodhisattvas who delay enlightenment to help others. Both traditions have allowed for full participation of women, in contrast to other Indian religions of the time.
This document provides a learning module on the interconnectedness of geography, culture, and religions. It discusses how geography and culture influenced the establishment and spread of various world religions. Key points include how religions originated in certain regions and were shaped by local cultures and environments. It also explains how religions later influenced cultures as they spread to new areas. The module aims to help students understand these relationships and cite examples of how specific religions evolved in relation to the places and cultures they emerged from.
Taoism was founded around 600 BC in China by Lao Tzu. It is one of China's major religions that is based on the principle of Dao, which is seen as the ultimate truth and way of the universe. Some key aspects of Taoism philosophy include a balance of opposing forces, contraction of past and future, and transcending time and place. Taoism teachings also emphasize living in harmony with nature and not rushing through life.
This presentation only covers:
Puja
Hindu Festivals
Swami Vivekanda
Prevedic Beginnings
Hare Krishna
I hope this could help. Thank you for having time to read.
Download if you like.. :D
Hinduism is a diverse religion with no single founder or scripture. It believes in reincarnation and aims for moksha or liberation from samsara. The religion's major deities form a Trimurti of Brahma the creator, Vishnu the preserver, and Shiva the destroyer. Hindu scriptures include the Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, and the epics Ramayana and Mahabharata. Hindus worship in temples and celebrate various festivals.
Mahayana Buddhism emerged around the 1st century CE in India as one of the major traditions of Buddhism. It is now practiced in East Asia and Tibet. Key doctrines include sunyata (emptiness), Buddha Nature, and the Trikaya teaching that each Buddha has three bodies - the dharmakaya (truth body), sambhogakaya (bliss body), and nirmanakaya (emanation body). Mahayana Buddhism also emphasizes the bodhisattva ideal of postponing full enlightenment to help all beings attain nirvana. Symbolic representations and mandalas play an important role in Mahayana art and teachings.
1. Culture refers to the learned behaviors, beliefs, and customs that are shared by a society or group. It includes both tangible aspects like objects and intangible aspects like values.
2. Cultural values and norms shape how members of a culture behave and interact in their daily lives. Different cultures have different values and norms.
3. Socialization is the process by which people learn the culture of their society, including values, norms, and social roles. It occurs primarily through family and later through other groups and institutions.
Hinduism is one of the oldest religions with origins dating back 5500-2600 BCE. Some key beliefs include Brahman as the ultimate reality manifesting as personal deities, the concept of Atman as the soul which is reincarnated through Samsara until achieving Moksha. Hindus believe in one God with many aspects and names. The major texts are the Vedas and Bhagavad Gita. Festivals have no set day and major gods include Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. The goal is to achieve Moksha through good karma and be united with Brahman.
The document provides an overview of Confucianism, Taoism, and Shintoism, comparing their origins, views on morality, purpose, views on destiny, and views on women. It notes that while Confucianism and Taoism originated in China, Shintoism originated in Japan as an indigenous religion. All three religions emphasize concepts like self-cultivation and harmony with nature. However, they differ in their specific beliefs, such as Confucianism emphasizing rituals and social hierarchy while Taoism advocates non-action.
Buddhism originated 2500 years ago when Siddhartha Gautama founded the religion. Key Buddhist beliefs include not believing in God, following the teachings of Buddha to find peace, and meditating. Buddhists believe in concepts like anatta, anicca, duhka, and karma. The Four Noble Truths explain duhka and the Eightfold Path as the way to end suffering. Important locations in Buddhism's history include Bodh Gaya, where Buddha achieved enlightenment, Lumbini where he was born, and Kushinagara where he died at age 80.
Hinduism is one of the oldest religions in the world originating in India around 1500 BC. It has over 750 million followers worldwide, with the vast majority living in India. Hinduism is a diverse system of thought with no single founder or prophet, and it believes in an ultimate divine reality called Brahman. The religion is based on concepts like dharma, karma, samsara, and moksha. Hindus worship many gods and goddesses but believe they are aspects of one divine reality. Key beliefs include reincarnation and the four stages of life. Major festivals include Diwali and holidays are based on lunar cycles.
This document provides an overview of key Buddhist concepts including the Four Noble Truths, Three Marks of Existence (dukkha, anitya, anatta), dependent origination, and the Eightfold Path. It discusses Buddhist views on topics like ethics, reincarnation, and nirvana. It also addresses modern challenges for Buddhism like population growth, technological advances, and expanding religions globally. The conclusion calls for Buddhism to adapt its teachings to current times while protecting core aspects of its philosophy.
The document provides information about Buddhism, including its origins and spread, key teachings, and different branches. It discusses:
- The life of the Buddha and the origins of Buddhism in India.
- How Buddhism spread throughout Asia between the 4th century BCE and 15th century CE, establishing the Theravada and Mahayana branches.
- Core Buddhist concepts like the Four Noble Truths, Eightfold Path, karma, samsara, and nirvana.
- The three main branches of Buddhism—Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana—and how they differ in focuses, views of the Buddha, and geographical areas of practice.
This document provides an introduction to world religions and belief systems. It defines key concepts like worldview, belief systems, religion, and spirituality. A worldview is the basic way a person interprets reality based on their culture and upbringing. Belief systems shape one's worldview and are influenced by religion. Religions have common elements like belief in supernatural powers, sacred texts or places, rituals, concepts of sin and salvation. The document differentiates religion from spirituality and provides examples of different types of belief systems like theism, pantheism and naturalism.
The document summarizes the main functions of religions as promoting social solidarity and control, legitimation, social adaptation, consecrating life events, and providing emotional security. It then lists the world's major religions including their founders, countries of origin, numbers of followers, and key doctrines. Finally, it discusses reasons for the persistence of religion such as providing moral codes, understanding of the universe, rewards of salvation, and a sense of community.
Role of Religion in Government, Family and Businesses (Sarah Olivarez-Cruz)Sarah Cruz
Religion plays an important role in government, families, and business according to the document. Marx saw religion as rationalizing inequality while Durkheim saw it as promoting social unity. Weber noted religion's role in social change and the development of capitalism. The document discusses how religion provides social harmony and moral guidance. It influences celebrations, crises, and family values in Philippine society. Religion also promotes trust and ethics in business according to some views. However, issues have emerged regarding use of funds and influence in education.
Shinto is Japan's ancient polytheistic religion that expresses love and respect for nature. Shinto has no identifiable founder or holy texts. Kami refer to Shinto deities or spirits that can be forces of nature, important people, or natural objects. Shrines are built dedicated to specific kami, and ceremonies include cleansing rituals, offerings, prayers, and dances to ask the kami for blessings. Physical cleanliness, respect for traditions and family, and love of nature are core tenets of Shinto.
The document discusses the nature and characteristics of religion and beliefs. It defines the supernatural dimension as aspects of human experience beyond comprehension. Religions can have a transcendent or immanent worldview. Key characteristics of religion include beliefs, believers, sacred texts, ethics, and rituals/ceremonies. These interact to create a dynamic, living religion. Religions contribute meaning for individuals and social cohesion for communities. It also defines Aboriginal Dreaming as a complex belief system embracing the creative era and present/future, originating from ancestral spirits shaping the landscape.
Hinduism is one of the oldest religions in the world with over 900 million followers worldwide. It originated in India and is based on teachings from the Vedas. Unlike other religions, Hinduism has no single founder or single holy text, but rather a collection of scriptures including the Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas, and epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata. Hindus believe in concepts like dharma, karma, samsara, and moksha. The religion has evolved over thousands of years and continues to adapt, making it difficult to define.
1. Hinduism is one of the oldest religions in the world with no single founder or scripture. It is a diverse set of traditions and philosophies. 2. The three main gods are Brahma the creator, Vishnu the preserver, and Shiva the destroyer, together known as the Trimurti. 3. Hindus believe in samsara and karma and the goal of moksha or liberation from the cycle of rebirth through paths like jnana, bhakti, karma and raja yoga.
Comparative Analysis of Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism.pptxVincentAcapen
Both Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism originated in India and share key concepts like the Four Noble Truths and Noble Eightfold Path. They differ in their views of dharma/dhamma, purpose, and views of enlightenment. Theravada focuses on monastic life as the path to enlightenment for monks, while Mahayana offers faster paths open to all. Theravada sees individuals achieving nirvana through their own efforts, while Mahayana venerates bodhisattvas who delay enlightenment to help others. Both traditions have allowed for full participation of women, in contrast to other Indian religions of the time.
This document provides a learning module on the interconnectedness of geography, culture, and religions. It discusses how geography and culture influenced the establishment and spread of various world religions. Key points include how religions originated in certain regions and were shaped by local cultures and environments. It also explains how religions later influenced cultures as they spread to new areas. The module aims to help students understand these relationships and cite examples of how specific religions evolved in relation to the places and cultures they emerged from.
Taoism was founded around 600 BC in China by Lao Tzu. It is one of China's major religions that is based on the principle of Dao, which is seen as the ultimate truth and way of the universe. Some key aspects of Taoism philosophy include a balance of opposing forces, contraction of past and future, and transcending time and place. Taoism teachings also emphasize living in harmony with nature and not rushing through life.
This presentation only covers:
Puja
Hindu Festivals
Swami Vivekanda
Prevedic Beginnings
Hare Krishna
I hope this could help. Thank you for having time to read.
Download if you like.. :D
Hinduism is a diverse religion with no single founder or scripture. It believes in reincarnation and aims for moksha or liberation from samsara. The religion's major deities form a Trimurti of Brahma the creator, Vishnu the preserver, and Shiva the destroyer. Hindu scriptures include the Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, and the epics Ramayana and Mahabharata. Hindus worship in temples and celebrate various festivals.
Mahayana Buddhism emerged around the 1st century CE in India as one of the major traditions of Buddhism. It is now practiced in East Asia and Tibet. Key doctrines include sunyata (emptiness), Buddha Nature, and the Trikaya teaching that each Buddha has three bodies - the dharmakaya (truth body), sambhogakaya (bliss body), and nirmanakaya (emanation body). Mahayana Buddhism also emphasizes the bodhisattva ideal of postponing full enlightenment to help all beings attain nirvana. Symbolic representations and mandalas play an important role in Mahayana art and teachings.
1. Culture refers to the learned behaviors, beliefs, and customs that are shared by a society or group. It includes both tangible aspects like objects and intangible aspects like values.
2. Cultural values and norms shape how members of a culture behave and interact in their daily lives. Different cultures have different values and norms.
3. Socialization is the process by which people learn the culture of their society, including values, norms, and social roles. It occurs primarily through family and later through other groups and institutions.
Hinduism is one of the oldest religions with origins dating back 5500-2600 BCE. Some key beliefs include Brahman as the ultimate reality manifesting as personal deities, the concept of Atman as the soul which is reincarnated through Samsara until achieving Moksha. Hindus believe in one God with many aspects and names. The major texts are the Vedas and Bhagavad Gita. Festivals have no set day and major gods include Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. The goal is to achieve Moksha through good karma and be united with Brahman.
The document provides an overview of Confucianism, Taoism, and Shintoism, comparing their origins, views on morality, purpose, views on destiny, and views on women. It notes that while Confucianism and Taoism originated in China, Shintoism originated in Japan as an indigenous religion. All three religions emphasize concepts like self-cultivation and harmony with nature. However, they differ in their specific beliefs, such as Confucianism emphasizing rituals and social hierarchy while Taoism advocates non-action.
Buddhism originated 2500 years ago when Siddhartha Gautama founded the religion. Key Buddhist beliefs include not believing in God, following the teachings of Buddha to find peace, and meditating. Buddhists believe in concepts like anatta, anicca, duhka, and karma. The Four Noble Truths explain duhka and the Eightfold Path as the way to end suffering. Important locations in Buddhism's history include Bodh Gaya, where Buddha achieved enlightenment, Lumbini where he was born, and Kushinagara where he died at age 80.
Hinduism is one of the oldest religions in the world originating in India around 1500 BC. It has over 750 million followers worldwide, with the vast majority living in India. Hinduism is a diverse system of thought with no single founder or prophet, and it believes in an ultimate divine reality called Brahman. The religion is based on concepts like dharma, karma, samsara, and moksha. Hindus worship many gods and goddesses but believe they are aspects of one divine reality. Key beliefs include reincarnation and the four stages of life. Major festivals include Diwali and holidays are based on lunar cycles.
This document provides an overview of key Buddhist concepts including the Four Noble Truths, Three Marks of Existence (dukkha, anitya, anatta), dependent origination, and the Eightfold Path. It discusses Buddhist views on topics like ethics, reincarnation, and nirvana. It also addresses modern challenges for Buddhism like population growth, technological advances, and expanding religions globally. The conclusion calls for Buddhism to adapt its teachings to current times while protecting core aspects of its philosophy.
The document provides information about Buddhism, including its origins and spread, key teachings, and different branches. It discusses:
- The life of the Buddha and the origins of Buddhism in India.
- How Buddhism spread throughout Asia between the 4th century BCE and 15th century CE, establishing the Theravada and Mahayana branches.
- Core Buddhist concepts like the Four Noble Truths, Eightfold Path, karma, samsara, and nirvana.
- The three main branches of Buddhism—Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana—and how they differ in focuses, views of the Buddha, and geographical areas of practice.
This document provides an introduction to world religions and belief systems. It defines key concepts like worldview, belief systems, religion, and spirituality. A worldview is the basic way a person interprets reality based on their culture and upbringing. Belief systems shape one's worldview and are influenced by religion. Religions have common elements like belief in supernatural powers, sacred texts or places, rituals, concepts of sin and salvation. The document differentiates religion from spirituality and provides examples of different types of belief systems like theism, pantheism and naturalism.
The document summarizes the main functions of religions as promoting social solidarity and control, legitimation, social adaptation, consecrating life events, and providing emotional security. It then lists the world's major religions including their founders, countries of origin, numbers of followers, and key doctrines. Finally, it discusses reasons for the persistence of religion such as providing moral codes, understanding of the universe, rewards of salvation, and a sense of community.
Role of Religion in Government, Family and Businesses (Sarah Olivarez-Cruz)Sarah Cruz
Religion plays an important role in government, families, and business according to the document. Marx saw religion as rationalizing inequality while Durkheim saw it as promoting social unity. Weber noted religion's role in social change and the development of capitalism. The document discusses how religion provides social harmony and moral guidance. It influences celebrations, crises, and family values in Philippine society. Religion also promotes trust and ethics in business according to some views. However, issues have emerged regarding use of funds and influence in education.
Shinto is Japan's ancient polytheistic religion that expresses love and respect for nature. Shinto has no identifiable founder or holy texts. Kami refer to Shinto deities or spirits that can be forces of nature, important people, or natural objects. Shrines are built dedicated to specific kami, and ceremonies include cleansing rituals, offerings, prayers, and dances to ask the kami for blessings. Physical cleanliness, respect for traditions and family, and love of nature are core tenets of Shinto.
The document discusses the nature and characteristics of religion and beliefs. It defines the supernatural dimension as aspects of human experience beyond comprehension. Religions can have a transcendent or immanent worldview. Key characteristics of religion include beliefs, believers, sacred texts, ethics, and rituals/ceremonies. These interact to create a dynamic, living religion. Religions contribute meaning for individuals and social cohesion for communities. It also defines Aboriginal Dreaming as a complex belief system embracing the creative era and present/future, originating from ancestral spirits shaping the landscape.
Hinduism is one of the oldest religions in the world with over 900 million followers worldwide. It originated in India and is based on teachings from the Vedas. Unlike other religions, Hinduism has no single founder or single holy text, but rather a collection of scriptures including the Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas, and epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata. Hindus believe in concepts like dharma, karma, samsara, and moksha. The religion has evolved over thousands of years and continues to adapt, making it difficult to define.
1. Hinduism is one of the oldest religions in the world with no single founder or scripture. It is a diverse set of traditions and philosophies. 2. The three main gods are Brahma the creator, Vishnu the preserver, and Shiva the destroyer, together known as the Trimurti. 3. Hindus believe in samsara and karma and the goal of moksha or liberation from the cycle of rebirth through paths like jnana, bhakti, karma and raja yoga.
02 Hinduism AINTRODUCTION THE MAIN PERIODS OF HINDUISMB.docxoswald1horne84988
02 Hinduism A
INTRODUCTION: THE MAIN PERIODS OF HINDUISM
Before we commence our study of the five religions in depth, we need to remind ourselves that the order in which the religions are being studied in this course in no way implies any relative inferiority or superiority. There is a logic behind the order; partially geographical and partially chronological. Essentially, we will first look at the two reincarnational religions of the Far East before studying the three Abrahamic religions of the Middle East. In each of these two families, we will introduce the members in historical order. Also, in each case, we will spend some time outlining some basic facts and features of the religion before focussing specifically on those issues that pertain to women. This will help to establish a foundation on which to build and in which to locate the gender-related material.
So, we begin our adventure with Hinduism. Most current census statistics claim that there are approximately 1.1 billion Hindus in the world today. This makes Hinduism the third largest religion in terms of numbers of followers, behind Christianity (2.3 billion) and Islam (1.8 billion). However, what is noteworthy about Hinduism is that most of its followers either live on the Indian subcontinent or are people of Indian background who have migrated to other parts of the world. Unlike faiths such as Christianity, Islam and Buddhism, the Hindu religion has never been particularly missionary. It does not see its role as persuading others to join its ranks or converting the world to its cause. Consequently, Hinduism is still very much linked to Indian ethnic groups wherever they may be found. Outsiders have converted to Hinduism over the centuries, especially Westerners who are attracted to the Hindu worldview, but these have never been in significantly large numbers.
The other noteworthy feature of Hinduism, which sets it apart from other major world religions, is that it does not have a historical founder. At the start of the Hindu story, there is no single person whose teachings and actions established Hinduism as a new religious movement. There is no equivalent to such figures as Moses, Buddha Gautama, Jesus of Nazareth or Muhammad in their respective traditions. This makes dating the beginning of Hinduism very tricky but most books on Hinduism locate its historical beginning during the 16th Century BCE[footnoteRef:1], when nomadic Aryan peoples from central Asia gradually subjugated the Dravidian civilisation of the Indus Valley (present-day Pakistan). According to this theory, the resultant mix of the Aryan and Dravidian cultures led to a social caste system and the composition of a new set of religious writings – the first Hindu scriptures. [1: We will be using the more neutral time reference system BCE and CE – before the Common Era and Common Era – instead of the Christian system BC and AD (before Christ and Anno Domini or “Year of the Lord”). However, the year numbers.
Hinduism originated around 4000 years ago in India and is more than a religion, encompassing culture, lifestyle, and code of conduct. It has complex roots involving many practices and deities. The sacred texts are divided into two classes - the eternal Shruti texts including the Vedas containing hymns, and the remembered Smriti texts such as the Ramayana and Mahabharata epics. Core beliefs include karma, samsara, and achieving moksha by following paths like yoga and devotion to the Trimurti gods like Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. Festivals, worship, and the caste system are also important aspects of Hindu traditions and customs.
Hinduism originated around 4000 years ago in India and is considered more than a religion but rather a way of life. It was brought to India by Aryan conquerors who mingled their beliefs with the native religion between 1750-1200 BCE. Hindu scriptures are divided into two categories - Shruti which are considered eternal truths revealed to sages and Smriti which are remembered traditions. The primary Shruti texts are the Vedas, consisting of the Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharva Vedas, dating back to 1500 BCE, which contain hymns, rituals and spiritual knowledge. Other major Hindu scriptures include the epics Ramayana and Mahabharata as
Hinduism originated around 2500 BCE along the Indus River Valley in northern India. Farming communities developed beliefs centered around fertility gods and goddesses. Around 1500 BCE, nomadic Aryan peoples from Central Asia conquered the region, bringing their own beliefs focused on male sky gods associated with hunting. Over many centuries, the religions and cultures of the Indus Valley peoples and Aryans fused together, gradually developing into Hinduism.
The Radiance of a Thousand Suns - The Myths Of IndiaDokka Srinivasu
The document provides background information on Hindu myths and beliefs as recorded in ancient Sanskrit texts. It discusses how the Vedas, Upanishads, and other scriptures describe core Hindu concepts like dharma, karma, samsara, and moksha. Mythical stories from these texts explain Hindu cosmology, including various versions of creation myths involving gods like Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. The document also explores the historical context and significance of myths in ancient Indian society.
1. The document discusses the pre-historic and Vedic civilizations in India, covering topics like the Indus Valley civilization, Vedic society and religion, and ancient Indian kingdoms.
2. It describes the geography, cultures, and political systems during these early periods, highlighting the Indus Valley cities of Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa, as well as important Vedic tribes like the Kurus and Panchalas.
3. The document also examines the evolution of Vedic religion, language, and social structures over time, from the early Rig Vedic period through the rise of Buddhism in late Vedic civilization.
Hinduism originated around 3000 BCE in India and has over 1 billion adherents worldwide, making it the third largest religion. It emerged as a combination of the beliefs of indigenous Indian people and beliefs brought by Aryan invaders between 1750-1200 BCE. The Vedas are the most sacred texts, consisting of hymns, mantras, and rituals. The Upanishads contain early philosophical statements that formed the basis of later Hindu philosophy. Together these texts establish the central concepts of dharma, samsara, karma, moksha, and beliefs in Brahman, Atman, and reincarnation that characterize Hinduism.
The Vedic society was patriarchal and organized into tribes in the Punjab region of ancient India. There are four main Vedic texts - Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda, and Atharvaveda. The Rigveda contains hymns praising gods and is the oldest. The Yajurveda contains ritual formulas and the Samaveda contains melodies and chants. The Atharvaveda addresses daily life issues. Between 1800-1500 BCE, Indo-Aryan groups speaking Indo-European languages migrated to India and settled the Indus Valley and Ganges Plain.
The document outlines the chronology and development of Hinduism over nine periods from 3000 BC to 1400 AD. It describes the major Hindu scriptures including the Vedas, Upanishads, Gita, and Puranas. The Vedas contain mantras, ceremonies, rituals and philosophical discourses. The Upanishads expound key philosophical concepts. The Puranas popularized epics and provided teachings for rituals, mythology, philosophy, and traditions that influence modern Hindu practice. Hindu philosophy centers around karma, bhakti, jnana, dharma, and moksha.
India is located in South Asia and has New Delhi as its capital city. It has a long history dating back 4000-2500 BC and was home to ancient civilizations along the Indus River Valley. Some of the main aspects of India include its diverse geography from the Himalayan mountains in the north to the peninsular south. India is also culturally and linguistically diverse with over 20 official languages and religions that developed there like Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism. Mahatma Gandhi was a famous leader who advocated for non-violence and helped India gain independence from Britain in the 20th century.
The document discusses the origins and history of Jainism in India. It begins by summarizing some key characteristics of Jainism, including its emphasis on asceticism and non-violence. It then examines early theories about the origins of Jainism, rejecting the idea that it originated from Buddhism or Vedic Brahmanism. Instead, it argues that Jainism's ascetic ideals can be traced to the pre-Vedic traditions of munis and sramanas in ancient India, as evidenced by Harappan archaeological sites. The document also discusses how Vedic culture was influenced by these non-Aryan ascetic traditions over time.
The Aryans established Hinduism in India around 2000 BC after invading from the northwest. Their religion initially focused on nature worship and praying to gods for favors, but later incorporated beliefs about life after death. The Vedas are among Hinduism's earliest and most important religious texts, containing hymns, rituals, and philosophical commentaries. They establish concepts like Brahman as the ultimate reality, Atman as the individual soul, and samsara and moksha as reincarnation and liberation from the cycle of rebirth.
The Aryans established Hinduism in India around 2000 BC after invading from the northwest. Their religion initially focused on nature worship and praying to gods for favors, but later incorporated beliefs about life after death. The Vedas are among Hinduism's earliest and most important religious texts, containing hymns, rituals, and philosophical commentaries. They establish concepts like Brahman as the ultimate reality, Atman as the individual soul, and samsara and moksha as reincarnation and liberation from the cycle of rebirth.
Origins of Religion: Hinduism Origins.pptxMelchorFactor1
Hinduism originated in India between 1500-500 BCE. It likely existed in the Indus Valley prior to 3000 BCE when Aryan tribes migrated to the region from Central Asia. The Vedas, Hinduism's oldest scriptures, were written between 1500-500 BCE and sought to understand existence and an individual's place in the cosmic order, laying the foundations for Hinduism's theological system.
The document summarizes the origins and evolution of the Satyanarayan Pooja ritual in Hinduism. It traces the development of Hindu scriptures like the Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas and how they shaped religious practices. The Satyanarayan Pooja ritual is described in the Skanda and Bhavishya Puranas as focusing on the principles of bhakti (devotion), karma (duty), dharma (righteousness) and moksha (liberation). It involves prayers, offerings, storytelling and aims to popularize spiritual concepts through allegorical tales emphasizing moral values.
South Asian art and culture developed over millennia in the diverse region now comprising India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bhutan. The ancient Indus Valley civilization flourished as early as the 3rd millennium BC, building cities and crafting steatite seals. Later, Aryan peoples entering the subcontinent between 1800-1200 BC brought Hinduism, rooted in the Vedic hymns. Hinduism evolved as a diverse, polytheistic faith with regional variations. Major religious architecture like temples featured ornate carvings depicting gods and auspicious motifs. Alongside Hindu arts, Buddhism and Jainism arose in 6th century BC India and spread across Asia, while other faiths like Islam also
This document provides an overview of the history and key concepts of Hinduism. It discusses the origins and evolution of the term "Hindu" from referring geographical to referring to a religious identity. It then outlines some of the major periods and developments in Hinduism, including the emergence of core beliefs and philosophies. This includes explanations of concepts like dharma, karma, moksha, and the major Hindu deities like Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva and Devi. It also summarizes the nine basic beliefs and teachings of Hinduism according to one scholar. Finally, it briefly outlines the three stages in the development of Hindu philosophy from the early religious texts to the systematic philosophical schools to modern neo-Hindu philosophy
This document provides information on various mountaineering activities including hiking, trekking, camping, and orienteering. Hiking involves following clearly marked paths, trekking is a longer journey on uncharted paths that can take days or weeks, camping allows experiencing nature while carrying gear, pitching tents, and bonding with others. Orienterring requires navigating through unfamiliar terrain using maps and a compass to reach preset destinations.
The document discusses the synthesis of new elements in the laboratory through nuclear reactions. It explains that elements beyond those found in nature have been artificially created by bombarding heavier target nuclei with lighter particles. Some key elements discussed include americium and curium produced in nuclear reactors in the 1940s, as well as newer superheavy elements created using particle accelerators, such as oganesson synthesized in 2002 by bombarding californium with calcium ions. The synthesis of these new elements has expanded our understanding of the periodic table beyond what is found in nature.
This document discusses reading and analyzing different texts to develop critical thinking skills. It aims to teach students to read various materials carefully and thoughtfully evaluate their content and message. The target audience seems to be Grade 11 students pursuing advanced-level courses.
The Steady State Theory proposed that the universe has no beginning or end in time and appears the same at any point from any observer. It suggests that new stars are continually created to replace those that have died, maintaining a constant average density throughout the universe. This theory was proposed in opposition to the Big Bang Theory but has since been discarded due to contradictions with newer observations, such as more cosmic radio sources in the distant past, the discovery of quasars at great distances, and the cosmic microwave background radiation which the Steady State Theory could not explain.
The Steady State Theory proposed that the universe has no beginning or end in time and appears the same from any point. It suggested that new stars are continually created to replace those that have died, maintaining a constant average density. This theory was an alternative to the Big Bang Theory but has since been discarded due to contradictions with newer observations showing the universe is changing over time, such as more ancient radio sources and discovery of quasars billions of light years away.
This document contains a list of random words with no clear meaning or connection between the words. It jumps between different topics without any cohesive theme or story. The document provides no essential information due to its disorganized nature.
This document provides information on developing an ICT project for social change, including planning, developing, releasing, promoting and maintaining a website or social media page. It discusses the key steps and components of an ICT project, including planning tasks, development activities, release and promotion strategies, and maintenance responsibilities. It also outlines 12 common behaviors exhibited by social media users and how understanding different personalities can help manage social media engagement. Key aspects covered include creating a concept paper, site map, budget, and contact details to pitch a project for funding.
The document provides an overview and comparison of three East Asian religions: Confucianism, Daoism, and Shintoism. It discusses their origins in China and Japan, key concepts like Dao, and similarities and differences in their views of morality, purpose, and destiny. Confucianism emphasizes self-cultivation and ritual, Daoism advocates harmony with nature, and Shintoism focuses on purity and following the will of spirits/kami. While they developed solutions to social issues, they differ in whether strict ethics or natural flow is best for social order.
THE INFLUENCE OF KOREAN DRAMAS AMONG GRADE 12(PPT).pptxJuliebethLuciano1
The document provides a summary of a study on the impact of Korean dramas on the lifestyle and behaviors of grade 12 students. It found that most respondents were 16-17 year old females who spent more than 5 hours per day watching dramas. Students said Korean dramas made them happy and provided lessons, influencing their fashion, language usage, and willingness to sacrifice sleep and food to watch more. While dramas impacted students' daily lives, their academic performance was not negatively affected. The document concludes Korean dramas significantly influence teenagers' behaviors but do not necessarily bring negative consequences.
This document provides an overview of the key beliefs and practices of Shintoism in Japan. It discusses the worship of kami or spirits at shrines, the use of magical charms and amulets, and seasonal festivals held at shrines. It also outlines some of the most important kami in Japan, beliefs around death and purification, different subdivisions of Shintoism including shrine and folk practices, and issues like the role of Shintoism in Japanese patriotism and controversial shrine visits.
Taoism is a Chinese philosophy that does not believe in God. It teaches that action should be effortless and natural, like water flowing or grass growing. The central concept is wu wei, which means non-action or non-interference. Taoism views qi or chi as a vital energy or force that flows through all things in the universe. Cultivating and balancing qi is an important practice in Taoism as well as Chinese medicine and martial arts.
বাংলাদেশের অর্থনৈতিক সমীক্ষা ২০২৪ [Bangladesh Economic Review 2024 Bangla.pdf] কম্পিউটার , ট্যাব ও স্মার্ট ফোন ভার্সন সহ সম্পূর্ণ বাংলা ই-বুক বা pdf বই " সুচিপত্র ...বুকমার্ক মেনু 🔖 ও হাইপার লিংক মেনু 📝👆 যুক্ত ..
আমাদের সবার জন্য খুব খুব গুরুত্বপূর্ণ একটি বই ..বিসিএস, ব্যাংক, ইউনিভার্সিটি ভর্তি ও যে কোন প্রতিযোগিতা মূলক পরীক্ষার জন্য এর খুব ইম্পরট্যান্ট একটি বিষয় ...তাছাড়া বাংলাদেশের সাম্প্রতিক যে কোন ডাটা বা তথ্য এই বইতে পাবেন ...
তাই একজন নাগরিক হিসাবে এই তথ্য গুলো আপনার জানা প্রয়োজন ...।
বিসিএস ও ব্যাংক এর লিখিত পরীক্ষা ...+এছাড়া মাধ্যমিক ও উচ্চমাধ্যমিকের স্টুডেন্টদের জন্য অনেক কাজে আসবে ...
A workshop hosted by the South African Journal of Science aimed at postgraduate students and early career researchers with little or no experience in writing and publishing journal articles.
Introduction to AI for Nonprofits with Tapp NetworkTechSoup
Dive into the world of AI! Experts Jon Hill and Tareq Monaur will guide you through AI's role in enhancing nonprofit websites and basic marketing strategies, making it easy to understand and apply.
This presentation includes basic of PCOS their pathology and treatment and also Ayurveda correlation of PCOS and Ayurvedic line of treatment mentioned in classics.
A review of the growth of the Israel Genealogy Research Association Database Collection for the last 12 months. Our collection is now passed the 3 million mark and still growing. See which archives have contributed the most. See the different types of records we have, and which years have had records added. You can also see what we have for the future.
How to Manage Your Lost Opportunities in Odoo 17 CRMCeline George
Odoo 17 CRM allows us to track why we lose sales opportunities with "Lost Reasons." This helps analyze our sales process and identify areas for improvement. Here's how to configure lost reasons in Odoo 17 CRM
A Strategic Approach: GenAI in EducationPeter Windle
Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies such as Generative AI, Image Generators and Large Language Models have had a dramatic impact on teaching, learning and assessment over the past 18 months. The most immediate threat AI posed was to Academic Integrity with Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) focusing their efforts on combating the use of GenAI in assessment. Guidelines were developed for staff and students, policies put in place too. Innovative educators have forged paths in the use of Generative AI for teaching, learning and assessments leading to pockets of transformation springing up across HEIs, often with little or no top-down guidance, support or direction.
This Gasta posits a strategic approach to integrating AI into HEIs to prepare staff, students and the curriculum for an evolving world and workplace. We will highlight the advantages of working with these technologies beyond the realm of teaching, learning and assessment by considering prompt engineering skills, industry impact, curriculum changes, and the need for staff upskilling. In contrast, not engaging strategically with Generative AI poses risks, including falling behind peers, missed opportunities and failing to ensure our graduates remain employable. The rapid evolution of AI technologies necessitates a proactive and strategic approach if we are to remain relevant.
How to Fix the Import Error in the Odoo 17Celine George
An import error occurs when a program fails to import a module or library, disrupting its execution. In languages like Python, this issue arises when the specified module cannot be found or accessed, hindering the program's functionality. Resolving import errors is crucial for maintaining smooth software operation and uninterrupted development processes.
Strategies for Effective Upskilling is a presentation by Chinwendu Peace in a Your Skill Boost Masterclass organisation by the Excellence Foundation for South Sudan on 08th and 09th June 2024 from 1 PM to 3 PM on each day.
This presentation was provided by Steph Pollock of The American Psychological Association’s Journals Program, and Damita Snow, of The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), for the initial session of NISO's 2024 Training Series "DEIA in the Scholarly Landscape." Session One: 'Setting Expectations: a DEIA Primer,' was held June 6, 2024.
Exploiting Artificial Intelligence for Empowering Researchers and Faculty, In...Dr. Vinod Kumar Kanvaria
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June 3, 2024 Anti-Semitism Letter Sent to MIT President Kornbluth and MIT Cor...Levi Shapiro
Letter from the Congress of the United States regarding Anti-Semitism sent June 3rd to MIT President Sally Kornbluth, MIT Corp Chair, Mark Gorenberg
Dear Dr. Kornbluth and Mr. Gorenberg,
The US House of Representatives is deeply concerned by ongoing and pervasive acts of antisemitic
harassment and intimidation at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Failing to act decisively to ensure a safe learning environment for all students would be a grave dereliction of your responsibilities as President of MIT and Chair of the MIT Corporation.
This Congress will not stand idly by and allow an environment hostile to Jewish students to persist. The House believes that your institution is in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, and the inability or
unwillingness to rectify this violation through action requires accountability.
Postsecondary education is a unique opportunity for students to learn and have their ideas and beliefs challenged. However, universities receiving hundreds of millions of federal funds annually have denied
students that opportunity and have been hijacked to become venues for the promotion of terrorism, antisemitic harassment and intimidation, unlawful encampments, and in some cases, assaults and riots.
The House of Representatives will not countenance the use of federal funds to indoctrinate students into hateful, antisemitic, anti-American supporters of terrorism. Investigations into campus antisemitism by the Committee on Education and the Workforce and the Committee on Ways and Means have been expanded into a Congress-wide probe across all relevant jurisdictions to address this national crisis. The undersigned Committees will conduct oversight into the use of federal funds at MIT and its learning environment under authorities granted to each Committee.
• The Committee on Education and the Workforce has been investigating your institution since December 7, 2023. The Committee has broad jurisdiction over postsecondary education, including its compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, campus safety concerns over disruptions to the learning environment, and the awarding of federal student aid under the Higher Education Act.
• The Committee on Oversight and Accountability is investigating the sources of funding and other support flowing to groups espousing pro-Hamas propaganda and engaged in antisemitic harassment and intimidation of students. The Committee on Oversight and Accountability is the principal oversight committee of the US House of Representatives and has broad authority to investigate “any matter” at “any time” under House Rule X.
• The Committee on Ways and Means has been investigating several universities since November 15, 2023, when the Committee held a hearing entitled From Ivory Towers to Dark Corners: Investigating the Nexus Between Antisemitism, Tax-Exempt Universities, and Terror Financing. The Committee followed the hearing with letters to those institutions on January 10, 202
How to Add Chatter in the odoo 17 ERP ModuleCeline George
In Odoo, the chatter is like a chat tool that helps you work together on records. You can leave notes and track things, making it easier to talk with your team and partners. Inside chatter, all communication history, activity, and changes will be displayed.
2. HINDUISM
• is the world’s third largest religion with around 15%
of the entire population practicing the Hindu faith.
Hindu followers in India comprise the major bulk
with almost 80% of the country’s population
adhering to the religion. Other Asian countries with
considerable Hindu faithful include Nepal (23
million), Bangladesh (15 million), and Indonesia (3.9
million in Bali). There are also substantial number of
Hindus in Mauritius, Guyana, Fiji, Bhutan, Trinidad
and Tobago, Suriname and Sri Lanka (Jose and Ong,
2016).
3. Hinduism was never a missionary religion unlike
Christianity or Islam. With the changing times,
however, there have been proselytizing activities by
Hindu missionaries in some Western cities.
Three other religions that sprung in India have their
origins in Hinduism. Around sixth century B.C.E.,
Jainism and Buddhism appeared to challenge
traditional Indian beliefs and practices. In the
fifteenth century C.E., Sikhism arose that featured
Hindu and Islamic influences.
4. Historical Background
According to Jose and Ong (2016), Hinduism is oftentimes
considered as the oldest and most complex of all world religions
while the most active religions of the modern times may have
started around the sixth century B.C.E. onward, elements and
themes of Hindu belief may have begun around the third
millennium B.C.E. In addition, unlike other major religions,
Hinduism had no one identifiable founder.
The term Hindu originated from the Persian Hindu (in
Sanskrit sindhu) which means “river”. It also refers to the people
of the Indus Valley the Indians (Bowker 1997). The name
Hinduism was given in the nineteenth century to describe the
wide array of belief systems in India. Hinduism was originally
known as Arya Dharma or the Aryan Way.
5. As early as 300 B.C.E., there was already thriving civilizations in India, such as those
discovered in the ancient Punjab city of Harappa and Mohenjo Daro along the Indus.
However, we know very little about the belief system of these early people (Brown
1975), Historically. The formations of Hinduism may have originated from the customs of
the early people in the Indus valley around 2500 B.C.E. to 1500 B.C.E., in the more
advanced culture of the Dravidians, and from the Aryans who invaded northwest India
around 1500 B.C.E.
In the 1920s, archaeological excavations in the two pre-Aryan cities Harappa and
Mohenjo-Daro revealed that the natives already had a flourishing civilization with their
agricultural cities characterized by well-planned streets with drainage systems.
Unfortunately, despite having a written language, it has not yet been deciphered. As a
result, vital information concerning the Pre-Aryan like and religious beliefs has been
elusive. Our knowledge of Pre-Aryan belief can be seen from the numerous statues and
amulets recovered by archaeologist. Images of fertility gods and goddesses are
noticeable from these artifacts while some figures appear in the lotus position which
later absorbed by yoga Hinduism and other sects. Later elements of Hinduism may have
taken shape from the practices of pre-Aryan people who were already civilized city
dwellers.
6. Between 1750 B.C.E. and 1200 B.C.E., Aryan conquerors moved to the Indus valley
and brought with them their own set of beliefs that eventually mingled with the religion
of the natives. Classical Hinduism resulted in the consolidation of their faiths. Around sixth
century B.C.E., they began to settle into cities while local leaders started organizing small
kingdom for themselves.
Aryans brought with them their set of beliefs based on oral texts known as Vedas. This
Vedic literature, however, was chiefly composed at the time the Aryans had already
settled in India and blended with the natives. Admittedly, there is much difficulty ib
identifying elements in the Vedas that are genuinely pre Aryan or Aryan influenced.
However, certain fundamental assumptions about the Aryan religion can be stated here.
Firstly, the Aryans brought with them a polytheistic religion like that of other Indo-
European people.
The sun, the moon and storms, are personified in reference to the pantheon of gods
and goddesses worshipped by the Aryans. Secondly,sacrifice was the principal form of
worship to the Aryan gods. Offerings to gods includeanimals and dairy products
performed on altars in open spaces. Since Aryans later were nomadic, they had no
temples. In general, Hinduism has pre-Aryan and Aryan elements that date back ancient
times. 9Jose and Ong, 2016)
7. 1. SACRED SCRIPTURES OF HINDUISM
As stated by Jose and Ong (2016), the sacred texts of Hinduism have
been principally passed down throughout generations by way of music,
recitation, dance, and drama. Sanskrit has been the language of the earliest
writings.
The sacred writings of Hindus are categorized into two classes, the Shruti and
Smriti.
a. SHRUTI
Shruti literally, means “that which is heard”. They are regarded as eternal
truths that were passed orally until the beginning of the present age wherein
there came the need to write them down (Bowker 1997).
The four collections of texts of the Vedas from the shruti and are
considered primary sources and the most authoritative texts of the Hindu faith.
Other writings that form part of shruti include the Samhitas, Brahmanas,
Upanishads, and a few Sutras.
8. VEDAS
The four basic Vedic books, which are sacrificial hymns compiled from an earlier oral
tradition, are composed of Rig-Veda, Sama-Veda, Yajur-Veda, and Atharva-Veda. The
word Veda means “Knowledge” or “sacred lore”.
The Vedas are the earliest known Sanskrit literature from the Brahmanic period and
oldest scriptures of Hinduism.
Scholars disagree as to when the vedas were first written. The earliest hymns may
have been written around 2000 B.C.E. or before the arrival of the aryans in the Indus
Valley area. They may also have been written down between 1500 B.C.E. to 400 B.C.E.
Ascertaining the exact period is difficult because these books may have been composed
and passed orally for so many generations before they were first written down eventually
completed. In the great epic Mahabharata, Brahma was said to have Created the Vedas.
RIG-VEDA
Among the four Vedas, the Rig-Veda is the most important and oldest book that dates
back to around 1500 B.C.E. Apart from being the oldest work of literature in an Indo-
European language, it is also the oldest living religious literature of the world. The book is
a collection of over a thousands hymns and more than a thousand verses dedicated to the
Aryan pantheon of gods.
9. The table below are list of some of the names of these deities.(Jose and Ong, 2016).
10. YAJUR-VEDA
Yajur-Veda or the “knowledge of rites” is the second book. Composed
between 1200 B.C.E., this book is a compilation of materials recited during
rituals and sacrifices to deities.
SAMA-VEDA
The third book is Sama-Veda or the “Knowledge of Chants”. Dating back
almost the same as the Yajur Veda, this book is a collection of verses from one
basic hymns recited by priests during sacrifices.
ATHARVA-VEDA
Lastly the fourth book is Atharva Veda or “Knowledge given by the Atharva”
that date back around 1500 B.C.E. This book contains rituals used in homes and
popular prayers to gods. Seldom used in solemn ceremonies unlike the other
three Vedas, the Atharva Veda contains numerous spells and incantations for
medicinal purposes and magical aids to victory in battle among others (Jose
and Ong, 2016)
11. Each Vedas consist of four main parts the Mantras, Brahmanas, Aranyakas,
and Upanishads.
1. Mantras are hymns and chants for praising god.
2. Brahmanas are explanation of the Mantras with detailed descriptions of the
sacrificial ceremonies related to them.
3. Aranyakas are meditations that explicate their meaning.
4. Upanishads or secret teachings transcend rituals to elucidate the nature of
the universe and human’s connectedness to it. The many teachings
embedded in the Upanishads are called Vedanta, and these are teeming
with spiritual truths.
UPANISHADS
Forming the fourth part of the Vedas, the term Upanishad literally translates
as “sitting down near” or “sitting close to” as it implies listening intently to the
mystic teachings of a spiritual teacher who has fully understood the universal
truths. It could also mean “brahma-knowledge” whereby ignorance is totally
eliminated.
12. Within these amazing collections of writings that were transmitted orally through
generations, one can find early philosophical statements that form yhe basis for all
later Hindu philosophy.
The great Indian nationalist and philosopher Sri Aurobindo described Upanishads
as the “Supreme work of the Indian mind”. Varying in length from one page to over
fifty pages, all fundamental teachings and concepts about Hinduism are found in
these profound dissertations such as:
1. Karma (action)
2. Samsara (reincarnation)
3. Moksha (nirvana)
4. Atman (soul)
5. Brahman (absolute Almighty)
Of the two hundred Upanishads, fourteen of these are considered principal writings.
The earliest Upanishads may have originated in the ninth century B.C.E. while the
most recent around the sixth century B.C.E.
13. b. SMRITI
Smriti literally means “that which has been remembered”. These writings serve to
reinforce shruti and are interpreted by sages and scholars alike. Most of these text are
sectarian in nature and considered of lesser importance compared to shruti, such as
stories and legends, codes of conduct for the society, and guidebooks for worship.
The great epics Ramayana and Mahabharata, which contains the philosophical
poem Bhagavad Gita, are part of Smriti. These are national epics of India and considered
to be the sacred texts of the masses where thay draw their values and ideals (jose and
Ong, 2016).
RAMAYANA
The Ramayana translated as the “Story of Rama’s Journey” is a Sanskrit epic poem
written by the poet Valmiki consisting of 24, 000 verses in seven books and 500 cantos.
This great epic was written between 200 B.C.E. and 200 C.E. Central to the story is Rama,
a prince and later portrayed as avatar or incarnation of the Hindu god Vishnu, who was
born in Ayodhya. Rama was exiled by his father on the eve of his coronation.
Presently, this story is danced out and acted in Southeast Asia where Hindu
influenced is observable. Most characters are popular in Indonesia, Thailand, and
Cambodia.
14. MAHABHARATA
From the book of Jose and Ong (2016), another major Sanskrit literature of old India
is Mahabharata which is composed of around one hundred thousand verses making it the
world longest poem. Written around 500 B.C.E., this magnificent work is attributed to the
author Vyasa who is also considered to be the scribe of the Vedas.
The Mahabharata tells of a great struggle among the descendants of a king called
Bharata, a name used by many Indians to mean “India” (Jose and Ong, 2016). Two families
are at war, the Pandavas who represent good and the Kauvaras who embody evil (Brown
1975). The hundred Raurava brothers try to cheat their five cousins, the Pandavas, out of
their share of the kingdom.
As intense battle ensued, every kingdom had to take sides. With the help of Krishna,
another incarnation of Vishnu, the Pandavas emerged triumphant but lost all their sons and
closes kin in battle (Coogan, 2000).
With about 100,000 couples and 1.8 million words in total this poem is about four
times longer than the Ramayana, eight times longer than the Iliad and the Odyssey put
together, and fifteen times longer than the bible. Along with the bible and the Quran, the
Mahabharata ranks in importance among the sacred writings of various world religions. It is
an epic vision of the human condition such as intrigue, romance, duplicity, moral collapse,
dishonor, and lamentations.
15. BHAGAVAD GITA
A celebrated episode within the Mahabharata is the Bhagavad Gita (or simply
Gita) which is translated as “the Lord’s Song”. It is believed to have been written
between the second century B.C.E. and third century C.E.
Considered as one of the holiest books by the Hindus, the Gita is a 700 verse
narrative of a dialogue between the Pandava prince Arjuna and his guide cousin
Krishna. Just as the war is about to commence at Kurukshetra, plates his fate and
struggles set before him.
The Gita instructs any person that one may reach god through devotion,
knowledge, or selfless action. Humans must do their duty or dharma whatever it
may be and whatever results it could produce.
The Gita is considered as layman’s Upanishads because the difficult teachings
of the Upanishads are presented here inmanner that commoners can understand
(Jose and Ong, 2016).
16. 2. BELIEFS AND DOCTRINES OF HINDUISM
As stated by Cornelio et al. (2016) , Hindu faith offers its followers many paths
to salvation. They may find liberation from the cycle of life through devotionto one
or more gods. Their gods and goddesses can be worshipped at their temples. In
temples, devotees can pray and offer sacrifices so that they can gain favor from
deities and assist them in their struggle for salvation.
Bhakti stands for the soul’s longing for and clinging to god.
Devotion to the Trimurti
Brahma Vishnu Shiva
Central to Hinduism is the Brahman who is the
ultimate reality, one and undivided. The Brahman
is often seen in three forms or functions. Called the
Trimurti (or trinity) these are creation,
preservation and destruction. These functions
expressed in god forms, namely, Brahma, the
creator; Vishnu, the preserver, and Shiva, the
destroyer.
17. Though widely repected and recognized as the creator
of the universe, Brahma receives the least attention
among the trimurti. In fact, only two temples are
dedicated to him in India and he has no cult of
devotees. He is not worshipped in the same way as
other Gods
because he has done his task and he will not come into his own until next creation of th
universe. When depicted, Brahma has four heads and eight hands. His chief consort is saraswat
the goddess of science and wisdom. Brahma’s vehicle is a swan or goose which symbolize
knowledge.
VISHNU
BRAHMA
Known as god of love,
benevolence, and
forgiveness, Vishnu’s
primary concern is
humanity itself. As the
preserver, the creation is
withdrawn to a seed
whenever he sleeps but
rises again as he wakes
up.He is worshipped in
various forms of his
incarnations or avatars.
Based on mythology, Vishnu
has appeared on
earth in nine different forms and will come in tenth time to end the present era or Kalpa, to
bring the world to an end and then represent it.
18. These manifestations od Vishnu are intended to help humanity with preserving, restoring,
and protecting powers. The table below lists the 10 avatars of Vishnu as cited by Jose and
Ong, (2016)
Incarnation Form Attributes
In Hindu sacred writings, Vishnu is depicted as having four arms and with a dark
complexion. His most popular manifestation is Krishna who is blue, the color of infinity and
plays the flute. Vishnu’s consort is Lakshmi, the goddess of fortune, who us seated in a lotus
between two elephants with their trunks raised above her.
Both Vishnu and Lakshmi ride the eagle mount or kite Garuda, the symbol of the sky
and the sun. The snake in Garuda’s claws represents water.
19. SHIVA As the destroyer and the god of death, destruction, and disease,
Shiva is the third to the Trimurti. His functions are many. He is also
god of dance, vegetable, animal, and human reproduction (Hopfe
1983). In Hindu belief, death is but a prelude to birth, hence, the
god of death is also the god often revered through the lingam, the
male energy surrounded by the yoni, the female source of energy
(Bowker 1997).
Routes to Moksha
From the Upanishads, one may find the three principle and inter-related doctrines
within the Indian religion. These are the following:
1. Every soul dies and is reborn anew in new form (this cycle is called samsara).
2. One’s deeds have an effect in this or a future life.
3. One may escape the weary round of death and birth.
Within every human is an eternal soul or atman that is being reborn many times and
in various forms in accordance to the moral law or karma (Bowker 1997). A soul may escape
the cycle of rebirth and attain moksha. This liberation can be achieved through the four
yogas that involve a system of practices aimed at producing spiritual enlightenment.
20. The word yoga is derived from the root word yuj which translate as "to yoke“ or “ to
join “.
The philosophy of yoga was developed by the sage Patanjali who lived in the second
century B. C. E. He is considered as the “father of modern yoga” as the codified the
teachings of yoga in his Yoga Sutra (Hopfe 1983).
Table below lists down the four yogas with their corresponding practices.
For all Hindus, there are four desirable goals or areas of life or purushartha.
These are :
1. dharma (appropriate behavior)
2. artha (the pursuit of legitimate wordly success)
3. kama (the pursuit of legitimate pleasure); and
4. moksha (release from rebirth).
The terminal stage involves the liberation from the bonds of flesh and the limitations
of death-bound life.
The Four Yoga Practices
21. 3. WORSHIP AND OBSERVANCES OF HINDUISM
Hindu scriptures state that there 330 million gods or devas (Kolanad 1994). These
include manifestations of natural phenomena, evil forces, and even illnesses. Others are
venerated humans or town deities. Hindu worship or puja involves images(murtis),
prayers(mantras), and diagrams of the universe(yantras) (Bowker 1997).
PUJA
The most common way to express worship for deities is the puja. It consists of
offering mostly material goods and ritual acts to the altar of a god or goddess. Pujas may
be made in home altars or in temples. When it is done at home the essence of the puja
rituals is to welcome the deity as a guest.
When pujas are done in temples, worshippers follow stricter rules to ascertain the
purity of one’s offering to the deity.
The puja is an important dimension of the religious life of the most Hindus. It is
their way of communicating with the Divine. The goal of the puja is darshan, where the
devotee “exchange glances” with the god or goddess. The darshan is an intimate
encounter between the two, and the deity responds by sanctifying food ritually offered
by a devotee, which becomes prasad, a sanctified food that the devotee receives as a
gift from the god or goddess.
22. Integral to Hindu worship are the sacred images and
temples believed to house and represent the deities.
These images can be revered or valued in homes or
temples with a host of intermediary priests, holy men,
and religious teachers ( Jose and Ong, 2016).
The rise of Islam in the seventh century brought about changes in political landscape of
the area, which saw the increasing influence of Islamic empires. The most significant of this is
the Mughal Empire, which ruled India from 1526to 1858.
The Mughals changed the Indian landscape with their beautiful and unsurpassed
architectural landmarks. One example of this is the Taj Mahal, which was built for Shah
Jahans favorite wife. At present the Taj Mahal is considered as one of the wonders of the
world for it’s beauty and architectural style.
However, most Hindus worship individually involving mantras or vibrating sounds that
summon the deity and the prasad or gift offerings ( Bowker 1997 ). Vital to Hindu worship is
darshan that pertaining to seeing and being in the presence of deity. In temples, ceremonies
may be in the form of offering a flame, milk, or honey, and even reciting chants and music.
While worship may be undertaken any day or week.
23. Thursday is the most opportune day. Hindus celebrate several festivals that are
based on the Hindu calendar and often related to seasonal changes. Main festivals
include:
(1)Holi,
(2) Diwali, and
(3) Dusserah
The Diwali or “Festival of Light “ is India’s biggest and most important holiday
of the year held in October or November that is like the Christmas holiday of the
Christians. Indians light outside their homes to symbolize the inner light that
safeguards the people from evil forces.
Meanwhile, there are also many local and regional festivals, such as harvest and
deity festivals, marked by colorful processions and performances. Table below lists
down several festival celebrated by Hindus in a year.
24.
25. Pilgrimages are also undertaken by Hindus throughout India to visit the
sacred shrines of their deities. These include rivers, mountains, & temples.
The city of Varanasi, also called Benares, is the most important and sacred
pilgrimage site in India & is considered as the home of Shiva. Many people
come &live in the city until they die to manifest their explanation devotion.
Other popular sites include Kurukshetra (the place of the great war in
Mahabharata), Ayodha ( the old capital of Rama), & Mathura (Krishna's
birthplace).
26. 4. SUBDIVISIONS AND SELECTED ISSUES OF HINDUISM
1. SUBDIVISION
Followers of Hinduism vary in their set of beliefs and practices, including reverence to a
particular god.
Presently, there are four principal denominations within the Hindu faith. These are
Shaivism, Shaktism, Vaishavism, and Smartism.
a. Shaivism – The lord Shiva, the compassionate one, is god for the saivities.
Followers of Shaivism value self-discipline and philosophy. They worship in
temples and practice yoga.
b. Shaktism – The goddess Shakti is supreme for Shaktas. She is the divine mother and
assumes many forms, be it gentle one or a fierce deity. Believers use chants, magic and
yoga to summon cosmic forces.
c. Vaishnavism- The lord Vishnu is god for the Vaishnavites, especially in his
incarnations Krishna and Rama. Adherents have multitudes of saints, temples, and
sacred texts.
27. d. Smartism- Smartas are known as liberals as they embrace all major Hindu gods.
Devotees are left to choose their own deity in one of six manifestations, namely:
a. Ganesha c. Shakti e. Surya; and
b. Siva d. Vishnu f. Skanda
2. SELECTED ISSUES
Hinduism continues to be the religion of almost 80% of the Indian people. While
mostly comprised of Hindu followers, India is a secular state that remains neutral in
issues involving religious convictions and practices of its citizenry. All Indians can follow
and propagate their own set of beliefs.
Being a country with the largest adherents of Hinduism, India is presently facing
numerous challenges that are religious in character, some of which are below.
a. HINDUISM AND WOMEN
Even though the Manusmriti or the “ Laws of Menu “ states that women should
be honored in Hindu society, women have always been considered inferior to mean in
almost all aspects of life. A woman’s life revolves around the men in her life, to be
taken care of by her father in childhood, by her husband in married life, and by her
sons upon old age.
28. In traditional society, women are expected to perform sati or suttee wherein
widowed women are expected to jump on the funeral pyre of their husbands to
prove their loyalty and help save the soul of their husbands in afterlife. Although
sati was already demolished by the British in India, there are still casesof sati being
reported in modern times.