HINDUISM

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HINDUISM

• BASIC BELIEFS

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Writings

• Rig Veda earliest and most revered
• Series of 1,028 hymns
• Written between 1500-1200 BC
• Upanishads (means sitting near master)
• Written between 800-300 BC
• Discusses reincarnation
• Gives emphasis to spiritual development and
  reverence for all life
• Bhagavad-Gita poem between human, Prince
  Arjuna and Lord Krishna
• Basically advice
• Considered Bible of Hinduism

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HINDU IDEAS ABOUT GODS

• SOMETHING ETERNAL WITH DIVINE HEART IN ALL
  CREATION
• ALWAYS CHANGING
• ONE DIETY BUT WITH INCARNATIONS AND
  PERSONIFICATION
• MONOTHEISTIC AND POLYTHEISTIC

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THE TRIMUVERATE(TRINITY)
BRAHMA
VISHNU
SHIVA
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BRAHMA

• PERSONIFICATION OF ABSOLUTE
• SUPREME GOD IN TRIAD
• SEEN AS CREATOR
• NOT WORSHIPPED BECAUSE HIS JOB IS ALREADY DONE
• LASTS FOR 2,160,000,000 YEARS, FALLS TO RUIN AND
  BRAHMA RECREATES IT
• NOT GOD BUT IN EVERYTHING

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VISHNU

• PRESERVER
• TRANSCENDENT LOVE
• CONSTANT COMPASSION FOR WORLD
• CLOSE TO WORLD AND INVOLVED IN ACTIVITIES
• 10 INCARNATIONS

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SHIVA

• CREATIVE AND DESTRUCTIVE FORCE
• GOD OF DUALITY
• WILL DESTROY WORLD AT END OF THIS KALPA
• BRINGS DEATH
• DESTROYS IGNORANCE
• GOD OF FERTILITY
• GOD OF YOGIS AND ASCETICS

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Philosophy of Hinduism

• Karma cause and effect where actions in past
  life affect current life
• Deeds done in this life, effect others
• inescapable
• Yoga discipline (work) that leads to eternal
  life
• Janana Yoga power of mind, meditation
• Bhakti Yoga devotional yoga, live with your
  Karma
• Karma Yoga service to others
• Raja Yoga comes all three above into one
• Hatha Yoga practice complete control over mind
  and body

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Caste System

• Social hierarchy based on Karma
• Cant move between castes
• Some reforms in modern world, but limited in
  scope due to tradition
• Levels of System
• Brahmins education elite (priests)
• Kshatriyas ruling/military class
• Vaisyas merchants and farmers
• Sudras peasantry
• Untouchables beneath all

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Basic Beliefs

• Vedas are inspired teachings
• Brahman is impersonal and personal, manifested in
  many forms
• Physical world is temporary and conceals truth
  unless you are very wise
• Karma brings accountability
• Humans trapped in reincarnation cycle until
  attaining true realization
• Many ways to reach absolute
• Family important

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Way of Life

• Samsara humans in long cycle of repetitive
  incarnation
• Moksha liberation from Karma cycle
• Asceticism practices disciplines of the body,
  one way to release from Karma cycle
• Every person has for aspirations pleasure,
  development of wealth, righteousness, liberation
  of Karma cycle
• Ahisma absolute reverence for life