Hinduism

• is one of the oldest religion in the

world today
Holi Festival of Colors
 Holi Festival
• Started in 2012 by the Asia Society and the Embassy of
India in the Philippines.

• During the festival, people would toss and throw

colorful powder to other participants, to be followed
by generous drenching of water.

• The mood is festive and everyone enjoys throwing

colorful powder to celebrate the return of the colors of
spring.
• The “Sanatana Dharma (Eternal Religion)

• The beginning of Hinduism (1500 B.C.E.)

• Hindu refer to population in India

• Hinduism is a religion of Dharma

• Dharma, according to Hindu belief and practice, is what holds

the universe together and means “duty,” “correct practice’,” and
“truth”.

• Hindu considered the Dharma to be so central

• Vedas a significant portion of the Hindu scriptures

Hinduism as Vedic Religion

Vedas sacred writings

Hinduism also referred to as Vaidaka or Religion of Vedas

The term veda in Sanskrit means knowledge

The earliest Vedic literature is a collection of hymns to the gods, while

the later chapters and volumes include dialogues, stories, and sagely
advice from ascetics and religious masters.

There are two types of scriptures in the tradition: Shruti scripture

(meaning “that which is heard), which contains the fundamental
element of hindu philosophy and morality.
Each of the four Vedas are further subdivided
into four types of religious literature:

(a)SAMHITAS hymns dedicated to gods and

goddesses

(b)BRAHMANAS explications of the samhitas

and other acts performed by priests

(a)ARANYAKAS philosophical interpretation of

ritual

(b)UPANISHADS explanations of general

philosophical knowledge
The Smriti ( meaning “that which is
remembered”)are considered the
secondary scriptures and mostly contain
the stories and advice from sages. Smriti
are considered to be of human origin.
The Smriti scriptures include the following:
(a) MAHABHARATA an epic poem that is 15 time longer than the
Bible

(b) RAMAYANA a shorter epic poem about kingship and royal

virtues

(c) DHARMA SHASTRAS legal treatises that emphasize the importance

of practicing virtue

(d) BHAGAVAD GITA meaning “Song of the Lord” is actually one of

the books in Mahabharata

(e) PURANAS stories that depicts the sectarian divisions within

Hinduism
 MAJOR SCRIPTURAL TEXTS IN HINDUISM
The Sruti scriptures The Smriti scriptures
(“that which is heard”) (“that which is remembered”)
Vedas Mahabhrata
1. Rig Veda Ramayana
2. Sama Veda Sharma shastras
3. Yajur Veda Bhagavad Gita
a. Skula Yajur-Veda Puranas
b. Krishna Yajur-Veda
4. Atharva Veda
Upanashids
Many God, One Divine Principle

• Goddess Ganesha (portrayed as an elephant)

• God Shiva (portrayed with more than two arms

• Goddess Kali (who holds severed from its body while standing
on corpses

• Some temple enshrine particular deities whit a host of “minor

deities”:

• Vishnu and Shiva most common deities

Goddess Ganesha
God Shiva
Goddess Kali
Three highest deities

(Trimurthi or Trinity)
BHRAMA – creator
VISHNU – preserver
SHIVA – destroyer

Goddess consorts
SARASWATI – goddess of speech
LAKSHMI - goddess of wealth
PARVATI – Mother Goddess
BHRAMA
VISHNU
SHIVA
SARASWATI
LAKSHMI
PARVATI
Divine Principle (BRAHMAN)

• Absolute

• Eternal, uncreated and all-persuasive Reality that has no

form, and keeps the universe in existence

• Hinduism belief in a single Absolute Reality

• Hinduism belief in the Doctrine of the ATMAN

• Atman (soul)

-transfer during death and rebirth so that one’s present life

in the earth realm is connected to all previous lives until
liberation is reached
-the life principle or the essence of life itself, and without it
nothing can remain in existence
-innermost self
Karma
-Sanskrit
-(means action)

Law of karma
-the person’s action in the present will have consequences , and thus
will shape the person future

-closely involved with the Hindu Doctrine of reincarnation

-Transmigration of soul

- Cycle of birth-death-rebirth is called SAMSARA

- The end of the wheel of samsara is experienced as momentous

release or liberation the seemingly never ended cycle of birth,
death, and rebirth (thus experience is called MOKSHA)
CASTA SYSTEM
• The traditional social structure that closely follows the Hindu principles of
karma and samsara
• The word caste is Portuguese, which means chaste or pure

JAITI
• a social rank once receive upon birth

FOUR MAIN JAITIS IN DIFFERENT VARNAS ( SOCIAL GROUP )

(1) Brahmins ritual experts or priest
(2)Kshatriyas political rulers and warriors
(3)Vaishyas economic specialists and merchants
(4)Shudras manual laborers (the untouchable

Harijans or children of God

PUJA
• most common way to express worship for deities
may be made in home altars or in temples
• Is an important dimension of the religious life of most
Hindus
• The goal of Pujas is DARSHAN (an intimate encounter
between the two)
• Prasad sanctified food that the devotee receives as a gift
from the god or goddess
FESTIVAL
(1) DIVALI (Deepavali or Diwali) festival of lights

(2) HOLI festival of spring and colors

(3) DUSSEHRA celebrates the actual victory of Rama over the demon
Ravana

(4) MAKARA SANKRITA festival of harvest

(5) LOHARI midwinter festival, celebrates thee symbolic shunning of

evil

(6) KRISHNA JANMAASHTANI celebration of birth of Krishna

(7) MAHA SHIVARATRI great night for Shiva

(8) GANESH CHATURTHI celebration of the birth of Ganesh

(9) GURU PURNIMA festival of one’s teacher

(10) KUMBHA MELA celebrates the Saraswati river of

enlightenment