Introduction to Hinduism

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Introduction to Hinduism
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The vast majority of Hindus live in India and
Nepal
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Goal of Hinduism
Moksha release or liberation from reincarnation
United forever with the divine in a state of joy
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Reincarnation

• Samsara is the wheel of rebirth which means the
  soul is reborn
• from one life form to another.
• People may be reincarnated at a higher or lower
  level of existence depending on their karma.
• People may be reborn as plants or animals or they
  may be elevated to a higher caste as a human.

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Karma Dharma

• Karma action or deeds
• Every action produces a justified effect.
• Karma determines all the particular circumstances
  and situations of ones life.
• Dharma ethical duty based on the divine order
  of reality.

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3 major texts of Hinduism

• The Vedas
• The oldest and most important
• The Bhagavad Gita most famous text.
• The Upanishads Focus on meditation and religious
  instruction with a guru

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Brahman

• The Vedas depict Brahman as the Universal Soul

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Shiva

• Shiva is the Destroyer
• Even though he represents destruction, Shiva is
  viewed as a positive force

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Brahma

• Brahma is the Hindu God of Creation
• Brahma is traditionally depicted with four heads,
  four faces and four arms.

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Vishnu

• Vishnu is the Preserver, he is most famously
  identified with his human and animal incarnations
  (AKA, avatars)
• Incarnates as ten avatars (descents) including
• Rama (featured in the Ramayana epic)
• Krishna (featured in the Mahabharata)

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Ganesha

• Ganesha is one of the most well-known and
  venerated representations of God
• The Lord of Good Fortune

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How does Hinduism directlife in this world?

• Respect for all life vegetarian
• Human life as supreme
• Four stations of life (Caste) - priests
  teachers, nobles warriors, merchant class,
  servant class
• Four stages of life student, householder,
  retired, renunciant
• Four duties of life pleasure, success, social
  responsibilities, religious responsibilities
  (moksha)

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What are the spiritualpractices of Hinduism?

• The Four Yogas - seeking union with the divine
• Karma Yoga the path of action through selfless
  service (releases built up karma without building
  up new karma)
• Jnana Yoga the path of knowledge (understanding
  the true nature of reality and the self)
• Raja Yoga the path of meditation
• Bhakti Yoga the path of devotion

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Kali

• wife of Shiva
• black in color wearing a necklace of skulls.
• She is a bloodthirsty goddess.
• A violent destroyer of her enemies
• affectionate and caring for her devotees.
• .

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The Ganges River
Falling from Its source of Vishnus feet onto
Shivas head and out from his hair, the water
of the Ganges is sacred enough to purify all
sins.

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Banaras - Hindus Holy City

• Pilgrims come from all over to bathe in the
  Ganges.
• Countless Hindus come to Banaras to die.
• It has 1500 temples, most of them devoted to
  Shiva.
• It is a gathering place for the religiously
  learned and their disciples.