Hinduusm

• Hinduism


  The third most popular religion in the world with 750 million followers, originated near the Indus River in Northern India around 4000 years ago, making it the world's oldest existing religion
• Hindu Gods and Goddesses

  • Ganesh - Knowledge and learning
  • Shiva - Destroyer and creator
  • Krishna - Protection, compassion and tenderness of love
  • Durga - Her name means invincible
  • Lakshmi - Wealth
  • Brahma - Stamina and resistance to injury
• Brahman


  The one supreme God in Hinduism, understood as the Ultimate Reality which Hindus must come to know through deities and how deities affect the world
• Trimurti


  The three main Hindu deities: Brahma (Creator), Vishnu (Preserver), and Shiva (Destroyer)
• Avatar

  The incarnation of a deity in human or animal form with the purpose to counteract particular evil in the world
• There are 33 million gods in Hinduism
• Vedas


  The oldest layer of Hindu sacred texts, consisting of hymns, philosophy and guidance on ritual for the priest of Vedic religion, written in the oldest layer of Sanskrit
• Upanishads


  Philosophical-religious texts known as Sanatana Dharma, meaning "Eternal Order", written in late Vedic Sanskrit
• Bhagavad-Gita


  The most prized Hindu sacred scripture, containing the story of Arjuna and Lord Krishna, and teachings about Dharma (Sacred Duty), disciplined action and self-knowledge
• Two main categories of Hindu scriptures

  • Shruti ("that which is heard") - the four Vedas and Upanishads
  • Smriti ("that which is remembered") - traditional texts including Dharma Shastras, Puranas, Mahabharata and Ramayana
• Dharma


  Duty, the belief that each person has their own dharma, and the actions of dharma are related to Karma
• Artha


  One of the four goals in human life, aimed toward pursuing material prosperity, income security and means of living
• Moksha


  Liberation or release, a goal of human life in Hinduism
• Kama


  Pleasure, considered an essential and healthy goal when pursued without sacrificing the other three goals
• Hinduism is a matter of practice rather than beliefs, they likely believe in works rather than belief
• Atman


  The belief that there is part of Brahman in everyone
• Reincarnation


  The belief that the soul is eternal and lives many lifetimes, in one body after another
• Samsara


  The cycle of repeated births and deaths (reincarnation), governed by Karma
• Moksha


  The spiritual goal of a Hindu, to become one with Brahma, achieved through four paths of Yoga
• Four paths to achieve Moksha

  • Jnana-Yoga (path of knowledge)
  • Dhyana-Yoga (path of meditation)
  • Bhakti-Yoga (path of devotion)
  • Karma-Yoga (path of good works)
• Sects of Hinduism


  • Vaishnavism (primary deity is Vishnu)
  • Shaivism (primary deity is Shiva)
  • Shaktism (deity is Shakti)
  • Smartism (combination of many deities including Shiva, Vishnu, Shakti, Surya, and Ganesha)
• The caste system is based on the idea that people are born into their social position, which determines their occupation.
• Outside these four varnas are the untouchables or Dalits who have no rights to participate in society.
• Hinduism has four main castes (varnas): Brahmins (priests), Kshatriyas (warriors/rulers), Vaishyas (farmers/traders), Shudras (servants).
• Hinduism


  A religion that originated near Indus River, Northern part of India about 4000 years ago. The world's oldest existing religion.
• Brahman


  Known as the Ultimate Reality, from 33 million gods in Hinduism and is the one supreme God
• Male deities in Hinduism (Trimurti)

  • Brahman
  • Shiva
  • Vishnu
• Vishnu


  In Hindu the God of Preserver
• Brahma


  In Hindu the God of Creator
• Shiva


  In Hindu the God of destroyer
• Avatar


  Incarnations of three deities
• Bhagavad-Gita


  It is the most prized sacred scripture. It contains the story of Arjuna and Lord Krishna.
• Vedas


  Consist of hymns, philosophy and guidance on ritual for the priest of Vedic religion
• Upanishads


  Philosophical-religious texts known as Sanatana Dharma meaning "Eternal Order"
• In Hinduism, incarnation of deities in human or animal form is the purpose to counteract particular evil in the world
• Meditation


  It means calming our mind and focusing in on our healthy mind and body
• Earning merit


  The most effective way to work actively to improve one's karma
• Samatha


  It is the earliest form of meditation, and is not unique to Buddhism
• Sutta Pitaka


  It contains the whole of Buddhist philosophy and ethics. It includes the Dhammapada which contains the essence of Buddha's teaching
• Theravada Symbol


  Darma wheel. It represents Buddha's teachings