Hinduism

Caroline Savage & Kayla Cook

Group 2
 A Little Background on Hinduism...
considered to be the oldest religion on earth (goes back at least
4,000 years)
Hinduism is the worlds 3rd largest religion with 950 million
adherents
majority of Hindus live in India
90% of Nepal is Hindu
Hinduism is difficult to define because it applies to many
different philosophical & religious traditions
Main important aspects of Hinduism include dharma,
karma, moksha, & the caste system
 Hinduisms Beginnings
Hinduism has very ambiguous
beginnings
modern day
no single founder Pakistan

no single theology/scripture
no agreements on origin
It is certain that Hinduism originates
modern day
in the Indus River Valley (Modern Day India

Pakistan)
no longer associated with its
hearth in Pakistan
Most (82.5%) Hindus are
Indian
 The Four Vedas
Rig Veda- This is the
main vedas text and
oldest.

Sama Veda- the

book of melodies
and chants, songs.

Yajur Veda- The

-The Vedas are the Hindu Scripture book of rituals
done by priests.
that is a combination of revelations
from ancient saints. Atharva Veda-
book of the rituals
-Hindus believe that the Vedas have of everyday life.
The latest addition
no beginning and no end. to Vedas.
-Interpretations can vary.
 Three gods

Brahman- The Vishnu- preserve not Shiva- The destroyer

Supreme being who only the earth, but the and the restorer.
created the Universe universe
 The Hindu Caste System
-Hinduism is based around a cultural norm of
a caste system. This caste system is deeply
rooted in tradition and linked with Hinduism.

-When you die you are reborn into a different

caste system based on your actions/morals in
your previous life. (your karma)

- The goal is to reach Moksha, which is the

point in which you have reached all
truthfulness and you are reunited with the
brahman.
-In order to become higher in the
caste system, a Hindu must follow Dharma & Karma
their Dharma
Dharma is a Hindus
ethical duty
-Combination of moral law and
spiritual discipline. It is the law
of being
-Without dharma Hindus believe -If you live your life according to
they cant exist. dharma you will have good Karma
-the universal natural laws and will move up the caste system
when Hindus are reincarnated.
-Involving doing what is right for
Family, individual, class or caste,
and universe.
Good Dharma = Good Karma
Branches/Divisions Within Hinduism
There are 4 significant branches of Hinduism
Vaishnavites
580 million adherents
Vishnu is worshipped as supreme god
Shaivites
220 million adherents
Shiva is worshipped as supreme god
Lingayat
22 million adherents
overthrew caste distinctions
Neo/Reform Hindus
10 million adherents
relaxed the caste systems & karma/dharma
 Hinduism in terms of when?
7 Main Historical Periods
Indus River Valley Civilization (Before 2000 BCE)
religion grew out of small local cultures
Vedic Period (1500-500 BCE)
Aryan culture changed Hinduism
4 Vedas introduced
Epic, Puranic, & Classical Age (500 BCE-500 CE)
temple worship was emphasized
Buddhism is introduced
Pre-Modern Period (500-1500 CE)
Rise of Islam
British Period (1500-1757 CE)
British need to westernize India
Independent India (1947 CE-present)
Hindu Diaspora
 Monotheistic Views
- Hindus believe that all
reality is essentially one thing,
therefore from their point of
view they are monotheistic.
Atman: the ultimate
reality within.
Polytheistic Views
-While Hindus see all gods as
ultimately one,they do ascribe
to polytheistic ideals.
Depending on
-They have over 330 million
your point of
view it can be
gods and goddesses in the
Hindu Faith.
seen as BOTH!!
-Hindus choose to worship
whichever gods they choose.
 Diwali-Festival of Lights
Reason: Celebrates victory of good versus evil.
Length: Lasts 5 days
Festivities: Lots of lights and fireworks, and sweets.
Most popular Hinduism holidays. Celebrated by other
religions such as Jains and Sikhs.

Holi-Festival of Color
Reason: Celebrates the death of evil as told in old myth.
Length:Celebrated on the full moon of the month of
Phalgun, or march.
Festivities: Shops are closed for the day and it is a very
happy atmosphere. Bright colors fill the air and are
sprayed on children. Lovers apply color to their lovers.

Ganesh Chaturthi
Reason:This honors the elephant headed god Ganesh
or the son of Shiva. (his birth)
Length:10 day long festival
Festivities: 2-3 months prior a statue is made of him
and flours and rice is presented to him, and he is
floated in the water. Much dancing and singing.
 Mandir (public temple)
-It is communal Worship.
-Each temple or Mandir is
dedicated to a different god.
-Focus of all religious life
Home Shrine Public Places
-Individual worship to a -Tucked into the side of
god. buildings or in trees.
-Daily puja (worship) -Members of community
-Foundation for all family keep it clean.
actions and decision.
 Global
Distribution
of Hinduism
-Majority in Asia Pacific,
with a 99.3% of
hindus living in in this
region.
-The remaining .7% is
distributed throughout
North America, Europe,
Africa, and Latin America.
India Hinduism
Demographic
-There are 828 million
Hindus living in the country of
India.

-The population of Hindus is

largely on the coast of the Bay of
Bengal and the eastern border of
Pakistan.

-Out of a worldwide population

82.5% of Hindus live in
India.
 The Diffusion of Hinduism
Hinduism is considered to be an ethnic religion
one can practice it, but one cannot become
a Hindu unless born to Hindu parents
limited diffusion
Hinduism spreads mainly by relocation diffusion
Hearth-Indus River Valley in [Modern Day
Pakistan]
Hindus moved towards the Ganges River
throughout South Asia and South East Asia
Hindus have not, generally, engaged in colonial
conquest
have been conquered BY empires

Hindu Temple in Malibu, CA, USA

The Diffusion of Hinduism
 Works Cited
"Adherents.com." Major Branches of Religions. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Feb. 2016.

BBC News. BBC, n.d. Web. 29 Feb. 2016.

"CatholicPhilly.com: News from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia." Christians, Hindus Must Educate Young to Be

Peacemakers, Vatican Says. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Feb. 2016.

"How Did Towns and Cities in India Get Their Names?" - Quora. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Feb. 2016.

"Library." Exploration and Conquest. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Feb. 2016.

"Lingayat | Hindu Sect." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 29 Feb. 2016.

"Neo-Hinduism - Oxford Reference." Neo-Hinduism - Oxford Reference. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Feb. 2016.

"NEO-HINDUISM (Religious Movement)." Whatwhenhow RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Feb. 2016.

"Religion Maps." Religion Maps. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Feb. 2016.

"Vaishnavism - ReligionFacts." Vaishnavism - ReligionFacts. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Feb. 2016.