Origin
• Hinduism is an ethnic religion that evolved
on the Indian subcontinent beginning about
3,500 years ago.
Distribution/Diffusion
• Hinduism (shown above in hot pink) has approximately 806 million adherents worldwide. It is the main religion in India and Sri Lanka, but was carried to other parts of the world by Indians who moved there (or were moved by the British).
Fundamental Beliefs of Hinduism
• No single founder.
• No single sacred text.
• Some see Hinduism as polytheistic, others
as monotheistic
Caste System
• The caste system divides Hindus into four
societal divisions based on occupation
• When followed strictly, members of
different castes do not marry, socialize, or
interact with members of other castes
• The caste system is officially outlawed in
India and is disappearing in cities where
economic advancement is possible
Divisions/Jobs of the Caste System
Brahmins--priestly caste
Kshatriyas--nobles/warriors/protectors–
Doctors, lawyers, CEO
Vaishyas--merchants/land owner
Shudras—servants/artisans/laborers
Dalits/untouchables do the nastiest jobs ever.
Highest
Level
Lowest
Level
***Dalits are deemed so inferior they are not even recognized by caste
system
Caste System
• Dalits/untouchables are outside the caste system.
Making dung patties to
use for fuel. Cleaning the sewer.
Fundamental Beliefs of Hinduism
• Karma
– All actions have future consequences--rewards or punishments (in this life or the next).
.
Vs.
Fundamental Beliefs of Hinduism
• Moksha
– The final release from reincarnation. (sort of a Hindu heaven)
How do dharma, kharma, samsara, and
moksha fit together?
1. By performing dharma, a Hindu builds up karma.
2. With good karma, when they are reincarnated
(samsara) they will be born into a higher caste
3. Brahmans with good karma reach moksha.
4. If you build bad karma, you a reincarnated to a
lower caste!
Sacred Space • Ganges River, the sacred
river of Hinduism
Every day, 60,000 people bathe
in the waters of the ganges at
Veranasi.
Sacred Space
• For centuries, Hindus have flocked to
Varanasi, a city on the Ganges, in the belief
that dying here frees the soul of sin and ends
the cycle of life, death and rebirth.
Hindu Dieties • There are three basic sects, each represented
by a high god.
--Brahma--The Creator
--Vishnu--The Preserver
--Shiva--The Destroyer
Hindu Dieties
• Brahma the Creator
– Often portrayed with four
faces for the four points of
the compass
– Brahma does not take an
interest in day-to day life
(not as widely worshiped).
Hindu Dieties
• Vishnu the Preserver
• Vishnu is in charge
of human fate.
• Vishnu has the
largest number of
followers within
Hinduism.
Vishnu and his wife, Lakshmi
Hindu Dieties • When balance needs to be restored to the
earth, Vishnu comes to earth as an avatar.
Rama
Seventh Avatar Krishna
Eighth Avatar
Buddha
Ninth Avatar
The tenth Avatar is yet to come.
Hindu Dieties
• Shiva the Destroyer
• Shiva is the source of both good and evil.
• He is also the one who creates new life.
Shiva and his
family. Shiva (left),
Parvati (right), and
Ganesha (middle).
Shiva as Lord of the Dance
Hindu Dieties
• Ganesha is Shiva’s
son.
• He is the remover of
obstacles who is
invoked at the
beginning of every
Hindu undertaking.
Hindu Dieties
• Devi (the Protecting Mother), sometimes known simply as the Goddess, who appears in some form in every region of India. She is often identified as the creative energy of the universe, and is considered by her followers the equal of Vishnu and Shiva.
• All Hindu goddesses can be seen as different forms of Devi.
Hindu Practices
• Puja is individual worship in the form of faith
offerings made to representations of the gods.
• This is often a normal part of daily life designed to
meet daily needs e.g. requests for good health. It
may also precede important events.
Hindu Practices
• Items at the home altar
include water, a bell, a
lamp, an incense
burner, and a tray with
flowers, fruit, or
freshly-cooked food.
• All five of the senses
are engaged.
Hindu Practices--Festivals
• Hindus celebrate the Diwali New Year festival with bright lights, gift exchanges, fireworks, and elaborate feasts to welcome Lakshmi, the godess of light and wealth. (Usually celebrated Oct. 15- Nov. 15.)
Hindu Practices--Festivals
• Holi is another festival that is celebrated by all communities. It’s a festival of colors that marks the beginning of summer season.
Colors come from water mixed with colored powder.
Hindu Practices--Festivals
• Navaratri or the nine sacred nights to the Mother
Goddess are celebrated in the month of October -
November to commemorate the victory of Good
over Evil.
Durga prevailing over evil.
Hindu Practices
• The dot on a Hindu´s forehead symbolizes the third
eye of spiritual sight. The custom is for unmarried
women to wear black marks, and married women
to wear red. However, today women often wear
dots that match the color of their saris (or outfit).
Sacred Space
• Shrines
– The building of a shrine
is an expression of
devotion and an act of
good karma.
– Shrines can be found in a
temple, in the home, or in
outdoor public spaces.
Sacred Space
• Temples
– Temples can be large or small.
– There is no day of communal worship.
– Larger temples are devoted to major dieties.
– Smaller temples are devoted to minor regional
dieties.
– Small altars for offering puja are found in the
home.