The aim of this lesson:

To find out some basic information about Hinduism

Take two minutes to write down all the things you know about Hinduism.

If you don’t know anything, what would you like to know?

Can you think of a time when you have had to change your personality and act differently. Many people do this more than once a day. Write

down a few examples.

THINK:

The term ‘Hinduism’ was introduced by British writers in the 1800s. The name comes from the ‘Indus’ River and tells us nothing of the religion (there was no holy person called ‘Hindu’) In fact, calling Hinduism ‘Hinduism’ is about as useful as calling Indigenous Australian beliefs ‘Murrumbidgeeism’It’s bizarre to think that the average ‘Hindu living in rural India has probably never heard of the term ‘Hinduism’.Hinduism is not one neat, easily understood religious system.It finds its roots as far back as 1500BC

HINDUISM

John Dickson. A Spectator’s Guide to World Religions

Hindus believe in one God and they call God Brahman. They believe that God has different personalities.

But it’s still not as simple as that… Brahman is a hard concept to grasp…

HINDUISM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CpgCtU6woI&feature=related

HINDU CONCEPT OF GOD

A fire produces sparksThey flit awhile and vanishOften back into the flameThe spark and flame are both separate and not separate.The spark is visible independently for a momentBut, the spark came from the flame, is made of the same stuff and ultimately returns and is absorbed.

Brahman is the flame from which all originates.Creation, humans, gods and so onAll flicker for a while and then return to the sourceThe Ultimate Reality.

PantheismEverything is

God

Some contemporary Hindu’s believe in a single God and regard emanations of that God (Vishnu etc) as metaphors of divine

character.

BRAHMAN

BRAHMA

VISHNUSHIVA

CREATOR PRESERVER DESTROYER

ONE GOD – MANY FORMS

Known as the Trimurti Tri = three Murti = image

It is the main religion of India

SOME FACTS ABOUT HINDUISM

It is over 3000 years old

ONE OF THE WORLDS OLDEST

RELIGIONS

There is not one founder or starter of the religion like Christianity or Islam.

There are around 900 million Hindus in the

world today... How many in Australia?

Key points in Hinduism

The central belief is that of Reincarnation and Karma

Moksha is the liberation (or release) of the human’s soul from suffering back to Brahman.

Dukkha – is the process of rebirth and suffering that all Humans experience.

What is Karma?

Karma is cause and effectThis means that every action leads to a consequence

FOR EXAMPLE: if you misbehave you get a detentionOR if you smile at someone, they might smile back and you will both feel happier

GOOD KARMA = good actionsBAD KARMA = bad actions

Karma

What is reincarnation?

Hindus believe that when the body dies, the soul is born again in a new body.

The soul is called the ATMAN.

If you have lived a good life you will be reincarnated as something better, like a soldier or a priest.

If you have lived a bad life you will be reincarnated as something worse, like a servant or even an animal.

Reincarnation

Hinduism is the oldest religion in the world today. Hindus believe it has always existed

and always will.

The word ‘Hindu’ comes from the river Indus (as does the word ‘India’)

(Note: Most Hindu’s probably wouldn’t call themselves a ‘Hindu’… it is a Western word invented in the 1800s)

HINDUISM

Fire and water are very important to Hindus.

Water reminds Hindu’s of God’s power.

Why do you think Water is so important to Hindus (and other religious people). Why do you think fire is so important?

HINDUISM

Most Hindus live in India but Hinduism has spread all over the

world.

HINDUISM

Make up a sentence for the following words:

Hinduism, Hindus, Brahman, River Indus,

Reincarnation, Karma, Atman, Moksha, Dukkha

ACTIVITY