Intro to World Religions and Beliefs Q2

• Hinduism

  began along the banks of the Indus River in India
• Pakistan where greater parts of the Indus river lies that which was before part of India
• "India" and "Hindu" was derived from the word Indus
• Harappan civilization was the first civilization who lived by the banks of the Indus river
• Mohenjo Daro was Harappan civilization's largest city that had a population of 40,000 people in 2000 BCE
• Hinduism is unique in that it's not a single religion but a compilation of many tradition and philosophies
• There are four vedas namely Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda, Atharvaveda
• Veda means knowledge or wisdom
• The Vedas are considered as Hinduism's most sacred texts.
• Rigveda contains hymns praising gods and goddesses
• Samaveda contains songs used during sacrifices
• Hinduism

  world's oldest active religion
• Hinduism

  900 million followers
• Hinduism


  Third-largest religion behind Christianity and Islam
• Hinduism


  95% of the world's Hindus lives in India
• Hinduism


  has no specific founder
• Hinduism


  has no specific founder
• Hindu sacred texts in two main categories:

  Shruti and Smriti
• Hindu sacred texts in two main categories:

  Shruti and Smriti
• Veda's 4 basic sacred texts

  Rig Veda

  Yajur Veda

  Sama Veda

  Atharva Veda
• Rig Veda


  written around 1500 BCE. called the "wisdom of the verses" or "hymn knowledge" it is considered the most important and the oldest of the Vedas
• Surya


  the gof of sun
• Soma


  the god of intoxication manifested in plants
• Vac


  the goddess of communication
• Agni


  the god of sacrificial fire
• Vac


  the goddess of communication
• Mitra


  the god of faith-keeping and loyalty
• Indra


  the chief of gods: the god of storms and monsoons
• Indra


  the chief of gods: the god of storms and monsoons