INTRO

• The shruti and are considered primary sources and the most authoritative texts of the Hindu faith
• Vedas


  The word Veda means "knowledge" or Sacred Lore". The four basic Vedic books, which are sacrificial hymns compiled from an earlier oral tradition, are composed of Rig-veda, Sama-veda, Yajur-veda, and Atharva-veda
• Rig Veda


  • The most important and oldest book that dates to around 1500 B.C.E. The oldest work of literature in an Indo-European language is also the oldest living religious literature of the world. The book is a collection of over a thousand hymns and more than a thousand verses dedicated to the Aryan pantheon of gods
• Yajur-Veda


  • The "Knowledge of rites". This book is a compilation of materials recited during rituals and sacrifices to deities
• Sama-Veda


  • The "Knowledge of chants". This book is a collection of verses from the basic hymns recited by priests during sacrifices
• Atharva-Veda


  • The "Knowledge given by the sage Atharva". This book contains rituals used in homes and popular prayers to gods. Atharva contains numerous spells and incantations for medical purposes and magical aids to victory in battle, among others
• Parts of each Veda

  • Mantras- hymns and chants for praising god
  • Brahmanas- explanations of the Mantras with detailed descriptions of the sacrificial ceremonies related to them
  • Aranyakas- meditations that explicate their meaning
  • Upanishads- secret teaching transcend rituals to elucidate the nature of the universe and human's connectedness to it
• Smriti


  Literally means "that which has been remembered". Most of the text are sectarian and of lesser importance than shruti
• Ramayana


  • Translated as the "Story of Rama" or "Rama's Journey". The epic Sanskrit poem was written by the poet Valmiki between 200 B.C.E. to 200 C.E. The story is centered in Rama, a prince and later portrayed as avatar (incarnation) of the Hindu god Vishnu
• Mahabharata


  • The world's longest poem and another major Sanskrit literature of old India which is composed of around one hundred thousand verses
• Bhagavad Gita


  • Translated as "the Lord's Song" a celebrated episode within the Mahabharata. Considered as one of the holiest books by the Hindus
• Brahman


  The ultimate reality, one and undivided. Brahman is often seen in three forms called the Trimurti (creation, preservation, and destruction)
• Trimurti


  • Brahma - The creator
  • Vishnu - The preserver
  • Shiva - The destroyer
• Routes of Moksha


  • Samsara - Every soul dies and reborn anew in new form
  • Karma - One's deeds have an effect in this or a future life
  • Moksha - One may escape the weary round of death and rebirth and attain Moksha
• Atman


  An eternal soul within every human that is being reborn many times in various forms in accordance with the moral law or karma
• Four Yogas


  • Jnana yoga - The path of knowledge, wisdom, introspection, and contemplation
  • Bhakti yoga - The path of devotion, emotion, love, compassion, and service to God and others
  • Karma yoga - The path of action, service to others, mindfulness, and remembering the levels of our being while fulfilling our actions or karma in the world
  • Raja yoga - The path of meditation that directly deals with the encountering and transcending thoughts of the mind
• Four Desirable Goals of Life (Purushartha)

  • Dharma - The appropriate behavior
  • Artha - The pursuit of legitimate worldly success
  • Kama - The pursuit of legitimate pleasure
  • Moksha - Release from rebirth
• Hindu scriptures states that there are 330 million gods or devas
• Hindu worship or puja involves images(murtis), prayers(mantras), and diagrams of the universe (yantras)
• Hindus celebrate a number of festivals that are based on the Hindus calendar and often related seasonal changes. Main festivals include Holi, Diwali, and Dussehra
• Caste System


  A system of social class in which a social hierarchy is maintained for generations and allows little mobility out of the position to which a person is born
• Caste System


  • Brahmins - Order of the Priests, and law givers
  • Kshatriyas - The fighting and the ruling class (Kings and Warriors)
  • Vaishyas - The commercial, agricultural and pastural pursuits (Merchants, Craftsman, Landowners, and Skilled workers)
  • Shudras - To give service to the other three class (Farmed workers, Unskilled workers, and Servants)
  • Dalits - They perform the most menial of jobs, receives the lowest wages and have the most appalling living conditions and sometimes considered not belong to the caste (street sweepers, clean up human/animal waste, and deals with dead bodies)
• Christianity


  Developed out of Judaism during the reign of the Roman Empire in West Asia around the 1st century C.E.
• Christianity


  Centers on the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, who is considered the Messiah or Savior of humanity
• Cross


  Most common symbol for Christianity, as Christians believe Jesus died on the cross to save humanity from their sins and restore people's relationship with God the Father
• Holy Trinity


  Christians believe God has three aspects - Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit
• God the Father


  Sent His only Son, Jesus, to earth to redeem humanity from their sins for them to avoid the eternal flames of hell
• Christianity is considered the most popular religion in the world with the greatest number of adherents among all religions
• Christianity developed out of Judaism during the reign of the Roman Empire in West Asia


  Around the 1st century C.E.
• Christianity


  Centres on the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, who is considered the Messiah or Savior of humanity
• Cross


  The most common symbol for Christianity, as Christians believe that Jesus died on the cross to save humanity from their sins and to restore people's relationship with God the Father

  
• Holy Trinity


  God has three aspects - Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit
• God the Father sent His only Son, Jesus, to earth to redeem humanity from their sins for them to avoid the eternal flames of hell
• There has been a prophecy in Judaism that God the Father will send His only Son to redeem humanity from their sins and to restore relationship with God


  The Jews do not accept that Jesus was the fulfillment of that promise
• Christians have accepted that Jesus is the fulfillment of God's promise
• Christianity is considered one of the first monotheistic religions in the world and shares many similarities with Judaism in terms of belief in prophets, angels, judgment day, among others
• Together with Judaism and Islam, Christianity is considered one of the world religions which traces its origins to the patriarch Abraham
• Core teaching of Christianity

  The message that a loving God sent His begotten Son to redeem humankind from eternal damnation
• Jesus Christ


  A first-century Jewish preacher and religious leader, the central figure of Christianity and the most influential person in history
• Most Christians believe Jesus is the incarnation of God the Son and the awaited Messiah (Christ) prophesied in the Old Testament