hinduism. it is an accretive religion: it absorbs and venerates old traditions assimilates...
Post on 14-Dec-2015
217 Views
Preview:
TRANSCRIPT
Hinduism
• It is an accretive religion: it absorbs and venerates old traditions assimilates traditions of other people allows for new discoveries
• Molds together the old and the new
OriginsHeavily influenced by the Vedic faith
Burning offerings (fire sacrifices) sent messages to the gods and kept the gods happy
The people doing the sacrifices became significant
Caste system is embedded in Hinduism
Six Questions About Hinduism…and Six Answers
Question #1Is Hinduism monotheistic or
polytheistic?Both…and neither!
Hindus all believe in one supreme god, so in this way they are monotheistic.
The supreme god created many gods to be his helpers, so in this way they are polytheistic
Beliefs and PhilosophiesHenotheistic – Worship one god without
denying the existence of others.Corporation/business
Chief of Medicine
Attendings
“The Todd”
Beliefs and PhilosophiesHenotheistic – Worship one god without
denying the existence of others.Corporation/business
Boss
Question #2Do Hindus believe in
reincarnation?Yes – Carnate means “of flesh” and reincarnate means “re-enter the flesh.”
Soul evolves from immaturity to spiritual illumination.
Soul is immortal and inhabits one body after another
Beliefs and PhilosophiesReincarnation
Samsara – cycle of rebirthTransitions from one stage to another guided by
karmaWhen the body dies, the soul lives on.Don’t go straight to rebirth – astral plane until
rebirth.The soul (atman) is an expression of the
Ultimate, or brahman – all beings.“You (atman) are that (brahman)”Once dharma and karma are fulfilled, the soul is
liberated (moksha) from the physical world.Continue to evolve in the spiritual world.
Rebirth in a high caste is essential for achieving moksha
There are too many distractions in other castes to achieve moksha
You must have access to rituals (purification) to achieve moksha
MOKSHA
Atman merges with brahman
Question #3What is Karma?
The universal principle of cause and effect.Actions – good and bad – come back to us in
the future.Help us learn life’s lessons and become
better peopleNewton’s law/Gravity – self-governing and
fair“Plant the seed for fruit in the future.”
Beliefs and PhilosophiesKarma (continued) – puts everyone at the center of responsibility for everything they do and everything that is done to them.The most important karma is the karma comes to
fruition in the next rebirth
Dharma (duty) A person who does his/her proper duty creates
the karma to move up in the caste system
Rituals are performed to purify and to make good karma,
Question #4What animal do Hindus view as
sacred?Traditionally, all animals!
The cow is often the focus of this.
Cow gives more than it takes.
Question #5Are Hindus forbidden to eat
meat?No – often choose vegetarianism to live with
minimum of hurt to others – not all do this.Ahisma – refraining from injuring physically,
mentally, or emotionally anyone or any living creature.
No rigid “do’s and don’ts” – no Commandments.
Priests – vegetarians to remain pure.
Question #6Why do some Hindus wear a
marking in the middle of their forehead?
Bindi – divine sight – third eye of spiritual sight to see what the physical eyes cannot – “mind’s eye.”
Modern Hindu women may wear this as a mark of beauty.
Colors have different meaning (Red=Marriage; Black= Ward off evil)
DeitiesBrahman
“Supreme Being”
“Dissolution/Recreation”Shiva“Preservation”
Vishnu
“Creation”Brahma
“Hindu Trinity”
BRAHMAI Spy…
VISHNUI Spy…
SHIVAI Spy…
DeitiesBhakti
Practice of devotionalism to the godsThose who show this devotional love are
rewarded with large amounts of good karma.
top related