Hinduism

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Hinduism
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Beginnings

• Aboriginal pre 6000 B.C.
• Dravidian
• Aryan (Indo-Europeans)

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I. Hinduism

• General Characteristics
• 1. mix of Aryan Dravidian beliefs
• 2. no single founder
• 3. monotheistic (brahman) or polytheistic?

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B. Vocabulary

• Brahman the universal spirit
• dharma code of conduct
• karma the idea that ones deeds will have an
  effect on this or the next life
• samsara reincarnation or the cycle of the souls
  birth and rebirth

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• moksha release from samsara (salvation)
• atman the soul of the individual
• puja daily worship of one or more of the
  goddesses one invites the god with offerings and
  prayers

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Hindu Trinity Cyclical concept of Time
Brahma the Creator Vishnu the Preserver Of
Balance in the Universe Shiva the
Destructor Who facilitates rejuvenation
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Brahman

• Creator
• Part of Hindu Trinity

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Vishnu

• Preservation
• Operator
• Part of Hindu Trinity

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Shiva

• Destroyer
• Part of the Hindu Trinity

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Ganesha

• Elephant headed diety
• Worshipped at the start of new tasks
• Not part of Hindu trinity

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Temples
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Secular and Religious Art
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D. Religious Texts

1. Vedas
2. Upanishads a dialogue between a sage and
   student introduced samsara (900 BC)
3. Mahabarata story of 2 warring families and how
   the gods interacted