The Origins of Hinduism

The Hindu Gods And Goddesses

Hinduism Basic Beliefs

The Hindu Gods And Goddesses

Considered the oldest religion and one of the three largest religions

Hinduism is a combination of Aryan and Indus Valley region beliefs

Hinduism has evolved over 3,500 years

Hinduism is polytheistic and worships both gods and goddesses

The Hindu Gods And Goddesses

Over 108 Hindu Gods They can take the

shape of humans and animals

Most powerful of Hindu gods are:– Brahma, the creator– Vishnu, the preserver– Shiva, the destroyer

The Hindu Gods And Goddesses

Brahma is believed to have been born of a golden egg

He created earth and everything on it

Vishnu protects and guides humans on earth

Sometimes he visits earth to help people through providing advice and guidance

The Hindu Gods And Goddesses

Shiva, is the creator and destroyer of life and earth

He is the most powerful and important of Hindu gods

Not concerned with human matters or concerns

He is married to Shakti who intervenes in human matters

Hinduism Basic Beliefs All teachings of Hinduism are

recorded in texts Texts are written in sanskirt,

a language specifically used for religious purposes

“Upanishads”, is a text in Sanskrit that has a dialogue between a students and teachers of Hinduism

Upanishads address the belief of reincarnation

Hinduism Basic Beliefs Reincarnation (Samsara) is the

belief that if you die your soul goes into another body

If you were a good person then you will be reborn in a higher class than you occupied

But if you were a bad person you may come back as a poor person or an animal

The lower your social rank the harder you tried to guarantee your position in life

Hinduism Basic Beliefs If you were a pure person

then your spirit goes to be with Brahman

All Hindu’s must obey their “dharma”

Dharma was a person’s religious duties

A person’s dharma was based on their age, class and occupation

Hinduism Basic Beliefs If you obeyed your

dharma you moved closer to Brahman

You also had to believe in being nonviolent or “ahimsa”

Hindus also do not eat meat because they won’t harm animals

Karma is the sum of all a person has done and will do

Hinduism Basic Beliefs Hindus can worship at a

temple or at home Typically it is personal and

involves a shrine at home were prayers and offerings are made (fruit, flowers, water or incense)

Families pray together three times a day

Pilgrimages are important to Hindus and they are made to where their god has appeared or originated