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.