Hinduism

The World’s Oldest Organized Religion

Topics

Yoga and Medita

tionBeginning of HinduismRelationship between the 4 Vedas

Guru

Sacred Rituals and Practic

es

Enlightenment (Salvation)Karma and Reincarnation

The Ganges River in Hinduism

The Beginning of Hinduism

The world’s oldest organized religion

Consists of thousands of different religions

Referred to as Vaidika Dharma

Religion of principles rather than persons

Hinduism evolved in India since 1500 BC

Relationship between the 4 Vedas

Vedas- Rig, Sama, Yajur, Atharva

4 Collections of hymns and texts

Hinduism began with the Vedas

Sages composed sacred truths into Vedas

Other scriptures written based of Vedas

The Ganges River in Hinduism

The most sacred river to Hindus

The holiest river in any religion

Hindus bath in Ganges at least once

Millions flock to Ganges for Yatra

Yatra is Hindu ritual of pilgrimage

Karma and Reincarnation

Karma means “deed or act”

Karma is misunderstood as fate

How we live shapes our karma

Pasts lives impact us in many ways

Live like a pig, you may become

Guru

Sanskrit for “teacher or master”

Respectable person with saintly qualities

Gurus prescribe spiritual discipline

Guru means “heavy or deep”

“heavy or deep” in knowledge

Enlightenment (Salvation)

Salvation in Hinduism is called Moksha

The way to knowledge

Four ways to Moksha :

The way to action

The way to devotion

The royal road

Yoga and Meditation

“Meditation” is English for Hindi “Yoga”

Yoga means “union”

Unites disorganized body and mind into one

Four types of yoga in Hinduism

Increase health to achieving moksha

Sacred Rituals and Practices

AartiNamaskar

Ritualistic worshipVastu Shahtra

Family religious traditions and social customs

Conclusion

Hinduism is a religion that consists of thousands of other religions. It is a spiritual religion that believes in a single deity. There are many practices such as the pilgrimage to Ganges River to bath to performing yoga as meditation to reach a spiritual plane of enlightenment. Hinduism is more about spirituality than the worship of a deity.

References