Overview• What is Hinduism?• Origins• Practices• Gods and Goddesses

What is Hinduism?• Originated in India• Dates back to 1500 BC and

many consider it the oldest religion in the world

• Third largest religion • Practiced by 80% of India’s

inhabitants and 15% of Sri Lankans

• Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism came from Hinduism.

Origins• No specific origin• 5000 years ago : Indus River Valley Civilization • 4000 - 3500 years ago : Aryans • 3500 - 2500 years ago : Vedic Tradition

– rituals and many gods (polytheism)– sacred texts (Vedas)– social stratification (caste system)

• 2800 – 2400 years ago : Upanishads • (metaphysical philosophy) • Vedic Tradition develops into Hinduism

Practices• One impersonal Ultimate Reality – Brahman• Manifest as many personal deities• Soul (Atman) – Brahman trapped in matter :’That

art thou’• Reincarnation through transfer of Atman :

Samsara• Karma – spiritual impurity due to actions keeps

us bound to this world (good and bad) • Life Goal – to release Atman and reunite with the

divine, becoming as one with Brahman (Moksha)

Practices• Respect for all life• Human life as supreme:– Four “stations” of life (Caste) : priests &

teachers, nobles & warriors, merchant class, servant class

– Four stages of life : student, householder, retired, renunciant

– Four duties of life – pleasure, success, social responsibilities, religious responsibilities (moksha)

Gods & Goddesses

• Brahma – Primary God , Creator God

Gods & Goddesses

• Vishnu – Preserver God– 10 avatars – Rama with Sita– Krishna with Radha

Gods & Goddesses

• Shiva– Transformer God– Wife Parvarti

– Son Ganesha

Gods & Goddesses

• Saraswati– goddess of wisdom, consort of Brahma

Gods & Goddesses

• Lakshmi, goddess of good fortune, consort of Vishnu

Gods & Goddesses

• Kali, Destroyer of demons

Shukriyaa!Thank You!