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Hinduism

Hinduism. Hinduism. At least 4,000 years old 900 million + adherents primarily in India Hinduism is an ancient term for the complex and diverse set of religious beliefs practiced around the Indus River. Coastlines and river banks most sacred sites .

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Hinduism

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  1. Hinduism

  2. Hinduism • At least 4,000 years old • 900 million + adherents primarily in India • Hinduism is an ancient term for the complex and diverse set of religious beliefs practiced around the Indus River. • Coastlines and river banks most sacred sites. • Originated in the Punjab, from where it diffused to dominate the subcontinent • Missionaries later carried the faith in its proselytic phase, to overseas areas • Most converted regions were subsequently lost

  3. The Beliefs of Hinduism • There is no single founder & no single sacred text. • The Aryans probably added the gods of the Indus Valley people to their own. • Complex religion w/ countless gods and many forms of worship • Many gods/goddesses under an all-powerful spiritual force called brahman. “Mother Paravati,guides us towards determination and focus for what we set out in this world to achieve.”

  4. Epic Literature The Aryans preserved history through memorized oral tradition. • Mahabharata – India’s greatest epic (includes the Bhagavad-Gita) • Ramayana – hero Rama & the demon Ravana kidnaps his wife Sita. • Hinduism and Buddhism would later be derived from these basic beliefs.

  5. The most important gods are Brahma, the creator; Vishnu, the Preserver, and Shiva, the destroyer. • Hindu teachings are recorded in sacred texts such as Vedas and Upanishads. Vishnu – the Preserver

  6. Lord Brahma: creator, continually making new realities

  7. Vishnu: Protector/Preserver AVATARS Krishna Rama Buddha

  8. Shiva: The Destroyer

  9. The Goal of Life • Every person has an “essential self,” or atman. • The ultimate goal of life is achieving moksha, or union w/ brahman, but that takes more than one lifetime. • Belief in reincarnation • Rebirth of the soul through several lifetimes

  10. Karma & Darma • A person can come closer to moksha if they obey the law of karma. • Karma – all actions of a person’s life affects the fate in the next life. • With good karma one is reborn at a higher level • To escape the wheel of fate, Hinduism stresses dharma, religious & moral duties

  11. Key moral principle – ahimsa, or non-violence • Belief that ALL things should be respected • Nearly 200 million cattle in India • Cow sacred and its slaughter forbidden • 15% of world total • Cows provide work, milk, ghee, dung, fertilizer • Hinduism forbids slaughter of cows • Goshalas – old age homes for old cows

  12. Jainism • 500 b.c. founded by Mahavira • - Rejected that only Brahmin priests could perform sacred rites • Extreme ahimsa…even insects… • Claims perhaps 5 million adherents • Adhere to a stern asceticism

  13. Sikhism • arose in the 1500s, in an attempt to unify Hinduism and Islam • Centered in the Punjab state of northwestern India • Has about 19 million followers • Sikhs practice monotheism and have their own holy book, the AdiGranth Sikhism preaches a message of devotion and remembrance of God at all times, truthful living, equality of mankind and denounces superstitions and blind rituals. Sikhism is open to all through the teachings of its 10 Gurus enshrined in the Sikh Holy Book and Living Guru, Sri Guru Granth Sahib.

  14. Sikhism Symbols of the faith The Five K's: Clothing practices of stricter Sikhs: symbolize unity, truthfulness, faith, identity, justice • Kesa (long hair, never cut) • Kangah (comb) • Kacha (short pants) • Kara (metal bangle) • Kirpan (a ceremonial dagger)

  15. Religion and lifestyle • This man is a Hindu sadhuor holy man. • He has elected to remove himself from ordinary society to seek moksha or release from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. • A devotee of Shiva, he hopes to achieve this ultimate state of bliss through a lengthy process of devotion, ritual, meditation and several rebirths.

  16. Taj Mahal • tomb & mosques • built by Shah Jahan • 5th Mughal Emperor • completed 1653

  17. Dalit: Low-caste “untouchables” • 250 million out-castes • 1949 caste system outlawed • Oppression continues (rural areas) no rights for owning land or home no access to worship at the local temple no right to walk on certain roads segregated living severely impoverished suffer high levels of illiteracy • Since 1950s affirmative action

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