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Hinduism

Dr. Ashok Agarwal

Victoria Hindu Temple

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Outline Introduction Hinduism and humanity Respect for Earth Science and religion Hinduism in the community Recent changes

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Introduction What are the four aims?

What is “Om” and its importance?

What is meditation, bhakti, sadhana or devotion?

What is yoga?

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What are the four aims? Hindus organize their lives around certain activities or

"purusharthas." These are called the "four aims of Hinduism.“

Dharma: righteousness in their religious life

Artha: success in their economic life; material prosperity

Kama: gratification of the senses; pleasure; sensual, sexual, and mental  enjoyment

Moksha: Liberation from "samsara,"  

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What is “Om” and its importance? "Om" is a holy word often spoken during the

practice of any Hindu rites. Represents the trinity of three supreme Gods

Brahma – the creator Vishnu – the preserver Shiva – the destroyer

Reincarnations of Lord Vishnu Lord Rama (Ramayana) Lord Krishna (Mahabharata and the Gita)

Gita narrates the meaning of life, karma, moksha, atma, and parmatma

Man is mortal…the soul is immortal!

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What is meditation, bhakti, sadhana or devotion? It is essentially a language of love

This alone can give us the bliss of God-realization

Sadhana serves to attract the devotee’s attention to the Lord

This makes the devotee free from sorrow and suffering, and reveals Himself (God) before the devotee

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What is yoga? Method of keeping us in control of

our body, mind and actions One must master these four types of yoga

Jnana yoga – the path of knowledge Bhakti yoga – the path of devotion Karma yoga – the path of action Raja yoga – the path based on control of one’s actions and

thoughts Having learnt these, the body can be detached from the

soul. Achieve union with the supreme self or God.

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10 Common Hinduism Questions1. Why does Hinduism have so many Gods?

Hindus all believe in one Supreme God who created many Gods, highly advanced spiritual beings, to be His helpers

2. Do Hindus believe in reincarnation? Yes, we believe the soul (without body) is immortal and takes

birth again and again.

3. What is Karma? Karma is the universal principal of cause and effect. Both good

and bad karma not only decide our fate (sorrow and happiness) in the present life, but also in future life.

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10 Common Hinduism Questions4. Why do Hindus worship the cow?

By honoring this gentle animal, who gives more than she takes, we honor the creatures as well.

5. Are Hindus idol worshipers? We worship God through the image so that we can commune

with Him and receive His blessings.

6. Are Hindus forbidden to eat meat? Hindus teach vegetarianism as a way of life to not hurt living

creatures.

7. Do Hindus have a Bible? Our “Bible” is called the Veda which means “wisdom” and

which reveals the word of God.

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10 Common Hinduism Questions7. Why do many Hindus wear a dot near the middle of their

forehead? It represents a divine sight and shows that one is a Hindu.

8. Are the Gods of Hinduism really married? It is true that God is often depicted with a spouse in traditional

stories, a symbol of love between husband and wife.

9. What about caste and untouchability? Caste is the hereditary division of Indian society based on

occupation (priests, warriors, business people, and workers). The lowest caste, untouchables, suffer from discrimination. It is now illegal in India.

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Hinduism and Humanity Code of Conduct

Nonviolence (ahimsa) Truthfulness Patience Compassion Honesty Purity Giving Faith in God

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Hinduism and Humanity According to Mahatma Gandhi, love, sacrifice

and truthfulness leads to comfort and pleasure

in everyday life. Gandhi’s use of nonviolence was a strong weapon in

achieving India’s independence Pluralism

Hinduism promotes not only tolerance and respect for differences in belief and religion, but also acceptance of those paths as legitimate

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Respect for Earth Hinduism teaches us the need to care for the Earth and all

its beings by not killing animals and plants Hindus worship mountains, oceans and the planets as

God, to give respect for both earthly and heavenly things Vegetarianism has been advocated for many centuries. According to reincarnation all souls upon death are reborn

in another body. Hence there is no difference between an animal soul and a human soul. We should respect every soul.

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Science and Religion Science without religion is lame, religion without science is

blind. Albert Einstein

The roiling mystery of the world can be analyzed with concepts (this is science), or it can be experienced free of concepts (this is mysticism). Sam Harris

Scientific discoveries often take years to uncover the truth.

Spiritual leaders spend years, before finally achieving enlightenment.

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Science and ReligionUniverse

Science Spirituality

Technology Religion Religion Religion

God

Religion

Science Religion

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Science and Religion Science and spirituality are the two different ways of

seeking answers to life's questions Technology and religion are to make living and dying

more comfortable Hinduism + Science sometimes agree and sometimes

don’t Hindus believe that the body dies, but the soul never dies;

science disagrees. Hindu astrology accurately maps the positions of heavenly

bodies

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Hinduism in the Community Community temple brings together people to share ideas

and knowledge Most Hindu knowledge is transferred by word of mouth at

community gatherings Children learn through cultural games, crafts and stories Priest presents insight into various religious beliefs and

practices Prayers and devotional songs are sung

In Victoria we have the Victoria Hindu Temple We meet every week on Saturday evenings and provide dinner

after prayer Everyone is welcome

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Recent Changes Traditional Hinduism

Derives origins from Aryans Basic ideas are from the Vedas

Modern Hinduism Hinduism has no notion of conversion (born Hindu) Preserve existing beliefs and ideologies Self-defensive, self-assertive, and even aggressive More worldwide acceptance of Hindu ideologies

Spread of yoga, nonviolence and vegetarianism Organizations such as ISKCON (International Society for Krishna

Consciousness), and Ramakrishna Mission

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Final Thoughts Hinduism is a whole and complete view of life,

characterized by wide tolerance and deep humanity.

It is a religion of love, goodness, kindness, and sacrifice.

It welcomes all religions.

“Giving rather than taking in life” should be our motto to bring peace and harmony in this modern world.

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PrayerO mighty God! we are yoursBless us always so we may do good, and never do bad,So we may die happily !! Whenever there is a rise in crimes, take care of us;Even when others do bad, we do good;We should never have feelings of revenge;All our efforts should be towards love,So there is no hatred around us !!

Darkness is spreading around us, man is confused and without goal;Our "hope of happiness" is dying;But only your light can remove darkness and illuminate our life !!

We are truly yours !!