Exploring the Religions

of Our World
Chapter 5 Hinduism

Chapter 5 Hinduism
The Basics
95% of Hindus live in India
Hinduism emerged as a religion, it did not
begin with a founder or particular event
Hinduism shares no doctrinal statements
Hindus hold that no one religion can possibly
claim knowledge of absolute truth

Chapter 5 Hinduism
Periods of Hindu History

Pages 184-185

Chapter 5 Hinduism
History (continued)
Major developments of:
The Indus Valley Period (3000-1500 BCE)
emphasis on ritual purity
focus on fertility and regeneration
the practice of meditation
emphasis on peacefulness

Chapter 5 Hinduism
History (continued)
Major developments of:
The Brahminical Period (1500-300 BCE)
ritual sacrifices by the Brahmins (priests)
home ritual sacrifices
gurus (teachers) train disciples in personal
devotion to the gods
the gods Shiva and Vishnu gain in prominence
rise of ascetical practices

Chapter 5 Hinduism
History (continued)
Major developments of:
The Classical Period (300-1200 CE)

establishment of Hindu temples

growth of home-based rituals
the Vedas become the authoritative scripture
emphasis shifts from the transcendent to the immanent
emphasis on personal transformation
the concepts of karma and reincarnation emerge
the evolution of the caste system

Chapter 5 Hinduism
History (continued)
Jainism:
founded by Mahavira in the sixth century
BCE
contains elements of Hinduism and Buddhism
practice non-violence or non-injury

Chapter 5 Hinduism
Sacred Stories and Sacred Scriptures
Shruti Scriptures (the most sacred)
1. Rig Veda - hymns to various gods

The
The
Holy
Vedas
Vedasc

2. Soma Veda - hymns chanted at

sacrifices
3. Yajur Veda - instructions for priests
regarding sacrifices
4. Atharva Veda - hymns, charms, spells
and incantations for domestic use

Chapter 5 Hinduism
Sacred Stories and Sacred Scriptures (continued)
Shruti Scriptures also

The
The
Upanishads
Upanishads

concerned with the cycle of

rebirth

the mystical relationship

between Brahman (Ultimate
Reality) and atmon (soul)

often shared in a dialogue

between guru and student

Chapter 5 Hinduism
Sacred Stories and Sacred Scriptures (continued)
Smriti Scriptures

Mahabharata
Mahabharata

Puranas
Puranas

a Hindu epic poem

stories of the gods:

Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva

Chapter 5 Hinduism
Beliefs and Practices
Most Hindus hold these beliefs in common:
the caste
system
millions of
gods and
goddesses

the sacredness
of life

the cycle of
rebirth

the four stages

of life

Chapter 5 Hinduism
Beliefs and Practices (continued)
Brahman
= one Ultimate Reality or Absolute Reality which:
cannot be
grasped by
the five senses

is manifested
in gods and
goddesses

is
transcendent

includes everything material

and immaterial

has no
attributes

is the lifeforce of the

universe

Chapter 5 Hinduism
Beliefs and Practices (continued)
3 primary
forms of
Brahman

1. Brahma is the Creator god

2. Vishnu is the Preserving god
3. Shiva is the Destroying god

An avatar is the incarnation of a god or goddess

e.g. Krishna and Rama

Chapter 5 Hinduism
Beliefs and Practices (continued)
Atman:
is the real self (mind, body, and emotions
are maya or illusions)
Hindus strive for release from maya in order
to achieve union with Brahman/atman
Moksha (liberation) is achieved through
rigorous physical and mental discipline

Chapter 5 Hinduism
Beliefs and Practices (continued)
Samsara - the cycle of rebirth

rebirth

breaking the cycle:

knowledge

birth

karma

death

good deeds
devotion

Chapter 5 Hinduism
Beliefs and Practices (continued)
The major pursuits of life:
Artha
Dharma
ones duties in life,
especially as dictated
by caste

pursuit of both
material and
political wealth

Moksha

pursuit of liberation
from the cycle of
rebirth through
actions, thoughts,
and devotions

Kama
pursuit of artistic,
recreational, and
sensual pleasure

Chapter 5 Hinduism
Sikhism
a blending of Hinduism and Islam
is monotheistic
beliefs:
beliefs: karma, samsara, moksha, equality
rejects:
rejects: caste system, idol worship
signs of devotion:
devotion: unshorn hair, comb, short pants, steel bracelet, short sword
many have a desire to found and establish their own homeland

Chapter 5 Hinduism
Sacred Places and Sacred Spaces
temples

home shrines

many images of
gods/goddesses

many images of
gods/goddesses

Ganges River
symbol of life w/o end
ritual bathing

puja
honoring the gods

Chapter 5 Hinduism
Hinduism through a Catholic Lens
Similarities:
toleration of religious diversity
pursuing social issues
honoring Jesus and his teachings
the tradition of depicting and venerating
religious images

Chapter 5 Hinduism
Hinduism through a Catholic Lens (continued)
Differences:
karma
reincarnation
the caste system
Jesus as the one and only incarnation of God

Chapter 5 Hinduism
Vocabulary

Brahmins
shruti
gurus
bhakti
Sanskrit
karma
caste system

mantra
Hare Krishnas
Avatar
Brahman
transcendent
Atman
maya

samsara
yoga
satyagraha
puja
iconoclasm
devas