Hinduism

1. Hinduism “Hinduism is more of a culture than a creed or religion.”

2. “Hinduism is a loose confederation of cults and customs, a collage of ideas and spiritual aspirations.” • Hinduism is very patriotic, it is a focus on “Mother India” and Indian traditions • Hindu’s tend to be non-judgemental and open to many viewpoints

3. Is there a God? • Most Hindus believe in a God or many Gods, but some forsake Gods and worship and focus on the self • Hindus can worship as many Gods as they like (there are many) • Most Hindus do not consider themselves polytheistic because they believe all deities come from Brahman (reality), and that any Gods are just personifications or ways to approach Brahman

4. Holy Texts • The Upanishads (cultural reform) • encourages looking to the self for truth, instead of looking to Gods • emphasizes that the path to salvation is knowledge and insight • teaches that truth can be verified by logical reason and experience

5. Holy Texts • The Ramayama (role models) • Rama (husband) -- the personification of righteousness • Sita (wife) -- epitome of piousness, loyalty, and courteousness

6. Holy Texts • The Bhagavad Gita (ethics) • emphasizes the role of a person is to perform their duty without fail • teaches that knowledge, work, and devotion are they keys to salvation • teaches that salvation is available to all, social class is not a barrier to salvation

7. Hindu Core Beliefs • Caste System The “world soul” (the basis for social order) is divine intervention -- the intended natural order • Brahmans -- rulers • Rajanya -- nobles • Vaishya -- wealthy, powerful • Shudras -- working class, serfs • Untouchables -- lowest class of person

8. Hindu Core Beliefs • The Cycle of Births and Deaths • Hindus believe in transmigration of the soul, or reincarnation based on your Karma you are reborn higher or lower in the cycle • a person’s goal is to climb the cycle until they reach Moksha (salvation) and escape from the cycle • Hindus believe in cremation so that their ashes can be spread out over the Ganges River, “the river of life” and then begin their next life • rivers are very important to Hindus because of their cyclic nature

9. Hindu Core Beliefs • Karma (actions) and Dharma (duty) • there are no absolutes, truth is individual and depends on caste • your goal is to fulfill your duty, and no one else's it is better to fail at your own duty than to succeed at another’s • duty is appropriate to each person and their time of life e.g. • children should love their parents and study • husbands should love and respect their wives • parents should love and guide their children • the only absolute duty is the pursuit of Moksha

10. Hindu Core Beliefs • Paths to Salvation (Moksah) • The Way of Knowledge • spiritual knowledge replaces human ignorance • discipline through meditation -- Yoga • control of breath allows for escape of the soul • “Om” -- calling on the ultimate and asking for guidance

11. Hindu Core Beliefs • Paths to Salvation (Moksah) • The Way of Action • live your life correctly • meet your obligations -- Dharma • fulfill ethical obligations -- action is greater than inaction

12. Hindu Core Beliefs • Paths to Salvation (Moksah) • The Way of Devotion • make a commitment to God and accept his truths • perform acts of worship -- hymn, prayer, statues, etc. • recognize that salvation is a gift from God

13. Hindu Core Beliefs • Moksha • release from evil, grief, suffering and decay (considered the dominant aspects of life) • the end of the cycle of births and deaths • the end of suffering and human limitations

14. Hindu Core Beliefs • Non-Violence • fundamental element of Hindu culture and beliefs • stems form the open-mindedness and acceptance of Hindus • Mohandes (Mahatma) Gandhi

15. Hindu Core Beliefs • The Sacred Cow • the cow is a symbol of the earth and “mother India” • feeding a cow is a holy ritual, everything about a cow’s life is sacred • Most, but not all Hindus are vegetarians, but that is not solely because of this belief