MODULE 5 | Beliefs and Doctrines of Hinduism

• Pilgrimages are also undertaken by Hindus in rivers, mountains, and temples. The other place that hold with high regard is Ganges River in northern India: bathing in this purifies an individual spirituality.
• Hindu scriptures state that there are 330 million gods or devas; they are venerated humans or town deities.
• Puja involves images, prayers and diagrams of the universe.
• In temples, ceremonies may be in the form of offering a flame, milk, or honey, and even reciting chants and music. Worship maybe undertaken any day of the week, but Thursday is considered to be the most opportune day
• BRAHMA- is the Hindu god of creation. He is believed to have created the universe and everything that is contains. His consort is Sarasvati, the goddess of knowledge.
• SHIVA- is the Hindu god of destruction. This destructive power is seen not just as a transition to death, but ultimately to rebirth or a new form of life. It is necessary as a way of destroying evil forces and restoring order in the universe. Parvati is the consort of Shiva.
• VISHNU- is the Hindu god credited with the power to sustain or preserve the universe. His consort is Lakshmi, who is considered the Hindu goddess of wealth and prosperity.
• Devas is known as (gods) while Devis is known as (Goddesses); both means “divine” and “radiant”.
• The soul referred to as the ATMAN, seen as eternal and universal entity also representation of Brahman.
• Brahman gives rise to the Hindu practice of (ahimsa) or non-violence and respect for all life forms, including plants and non-human animals.
• Brahman is regarded by Hindus as a unifying existence and the ultimate divine reality.
• Hinduism is sometimes referred to as sanatana dharma, which translates to “eternal law”.
• Hinduism has no single founder.