HINDUISM: ONE GOD, MANY FORMS

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HINDUISM ONE GOD, MANY FORMS

• Presented by the Hindu Students Council

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Hindu Prayer before Eating

• Brahmaarpanam Brahma Havihi
• Brahmaagnau Brahmanaa Hutam
• Brahmaiva Tena Gantavyam
• Brahma Karma Samaadhinaam

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Brief History of Hinduism

• Most ancient religion in the world today
• Based on the timeless spiritual vision and
  revealed knowledge of the sacred Vedas
• Also known as Sanatana Dharma and Vaidika Dharma
• Now the third largest religion in the world
• Nepal is the only nation with Hinduism as its
  state religion

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Basic Beliefs

• Various religions of man are different paths to
  the one God Essential Concepts
• Dharma (individual ethics duties and
  obligations),
• Samsara (reincarnation/rebirth)
• Karma (actions leading to a cause and effect
  relationship selfless action)
• Moksha (salvation of every soul through a variety
  of paths)
• Bhakti (devotion belief in God)
• Jnana (enlightenment, knowledge)
• Importance of Om (Aum)
• Deities are all manifestations of the ONE SUPREME
  monistic Brahman

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A Monotheistic Religion

• Often misconceived to be a polytheistic religion
• However, fundamental is the belief in a singular,
  Universal Soul that is the ultimate divine
  Reality
• "The Reality is One, the wise ones refer to It
  variously (by various terms).
• He has various names that all refer to the same
  Being
• Different forms can be considered different paths
  to suit different types of people

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Why so many forms?

• Varied expressions of the glory, power, grandeur
  and a mysterious divine nature of the Supreme
  Being.
• While fulfilling a certain cosmic function, the
  Supreme Being becomes referred to by a specific
  name.
• Certain deities were personified with features
  that symbolized various aspects of the Divine
  nature.
• These manifest forms are thus a great help in
  enabling one to dwell upon God in a tangible
  manner.
• The Water Analogy one substance that takes on
  different forms to fulfill different functions.

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Ganesha Remover of Obstacles

• 'Ga' symbolizes Buddhi (intellect) and 'Na'
  symbolizes Vijnana (wisdom).
• Considered the master of intellect and wisdom.
• Provides prosperity and fortune.
• His grace is invoked before the undertaking of
  any task

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Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva

• Trimurti are three aspects of God, as Brahma,
  Vishnu and Shiva
• Brahma - the Source/Creator/Generator
• Vishnu - the Preserver/Indwelling-Life/Operator
• Shiva - the Transformer/Destroyer-Creator
• Similar to interpretations of the Trinity in
  Christianity

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Krishna

• Eighth avatar (incarnation) of Vishnu
• Known for His pastoral childhood as well as His
  youth and life as a heroic warrior and teacher
• Non-Hindu religions that originated in India have
  their own versions of Him.

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Lakshmi Goddess of Wealth

• Goddess of wealth, light, wisdom and fortune, as
  well as luck, beauty, and fertility.
• Representations are also found in Jain and
  Buddhist monuments.
• Also considered the Mother of the Universe and
  Vishnu's Shakti (strength)

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Saraswati Goddess of Knowledge

• First goddess worshipped in the Hindu religion.
• Goddess of Knowledge and music, arts, and speech.
  
• Also Goddess of thoughts of truth and
  forgiveness.
• Originated as a river goddess. Her name is
  Sanskrit for "she who has lakes or pools."

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References

Man is made by his belief. As he believes, so he
is. -The Gita

• Pictures from wikipedia.org and Google Images.