Major Religions of the World Part I-

Hinduism
Mrs. Musonda-Harrod
 Hinduism
Course Objectives
Learning objectives: After completing this session, the student will be able to:

 Discuss the History of Hinduism

 Identify philosophical and metaphysical elements in Hinduism
 Comprehend the ritual foundations in Hinduism
Hinduism

Location
 The origin of Hinduism can be traced back
to the people who lived in the interior parts
of modern day India
 Today Hinduism can be found in almost
every part of the world.
 The vedas the oldest literary monument of
the Indian people are considered to be the
foundational scriptures of Hinduism.
Authored by Aryans who considered
themselves to be noble people
 Major Religions of the World
Part: I Hinduism
: Its historical origin
Hinduism can be traced back to the Pre-historic era, its ancient
scriptures are dated back more than four thousand years,
however, no specific point of origin can be cited. While its roots
can be seen in Iron Age India, it is recognized as “the oldest
living major religion”
Hinduism has developed a complex variety of religious paths. It
is an accumulation of diverse traditions and has no specific
person to point out as its founder. It was not started as a
religious system but rather as a regulated way of life which,
with the passage of time, was transformed into religious
concepts.
 Hinduism
Description of Concepts in Hinduism
 The name Hinduism is derived from a name used by foreigners (mostly by
Muslims who invaded the area) to describe the local as unbelievers. People
who were living in the region of the INDUS river. The name was later
introduced and was widely used by the British colonial rulers to categorize
the area for census purposes.
 The alternative name which is preferred is the name Sanatana Dharma
Sanatana- eternal or ageless
Dharma – also translated as religion it includes many things such as: Duty, Natural law
Dharma is a concept which defines a holistic approach to social coherence and the good for
all which promotes order to all of the cosmos.
Philosophical and Metaphysical elements
of Hinduism
Polytheistic Religion
 They worship many gods (330 million deities are
worshiped) These deities are represented by images.
 They have strict Rituals and Practices, which are created
and controlled by Brahmins (Priests) which include:
special verbal formulas, sacred chants, and sacred actions
to invoke the breath behind all existence,
 They have social classes or castes such as: The 1.
Brahmins- the priest/philosophers 2. the kshatriyas , kings
and warriors 3.vaishyas 4. shandra caste 5 the
untouchables
 Home practice of worship: they each have a room which
is designated for worship.
 Trees and Rivers are revered.
 Philosophical and Metaphysical elements
of Hinduism
Brahman. The conception of Brahman has not been replicated by any other religion and is
exclusive to Hinduism. “.... Brahman does not refer to the anthropomorphic concept of God
of the Abrahamic religions.... 3 Brahman is not a ‘He’ at all, but rather ... the transcendent
origin of all things.” (http://hinduism.about.com/od/basics/a/brahman.htm)
Karma. Most Hindus share a belief in the concept of karma, the effect of past actions on
present circumstances. Traditionally, Hindus believe in reincarnation -- the cycle of life,
death and rebirth -- and karma is connected to this belief. According to Hindu philosophy, if
one’s thoughts and deeds are kind and compassionate, the “soul” will reap positive results.
Karma directly influences the life situation into which one is “reborn.” If a person creates
good karma, he or she will be reborn into a pleasant situation in the next life. Moksha.
Moksha means liberation or the soul’s release from the cycle of death and rebirth. It occurs
when the soul unites with Brahman by realizing its true nature. Several paths can lead to
this, including “the path of duty.”
 Philosophical and Metaphysical elements
of Hinduism
Yamas. In order to achieve liberation from the cycle of birth, death and rebirth,
Hindus who practice Raja Yoga (one school of Hindu philosophy) place value
on a number of essential morals called yamas and niyamas. The first yama is
nonviolence, a core moral value on which all other yamas are said to be built.
The yamas, which refer to a person's behaviour in day-to-day life, include
truthfulness, honesty and compassion.
Niyamas. In addition to the code of personal behaviours in the yamas, Hindu
scriptures teach that following a code of practices called niyamas will improve
a person's karma. The niyamas include, among other things, showing modesty
and giving to others.
The concept of: Rebirth and Salvation
Pattern of Life
• Hindus believe in the universe, and that everyone in it,
is part of a continues pattern of birth, death, and rebirth
• After death, atman is reborn in a process called
reincarnation
New Life
• Nature of a person’s new life is shaped by karma—
sum effect of deeds, actions
• Good karma, reincarnated to a better station in life; bad
karma, to a lower station or status in life
• Ultimate goal of human existence, moksha, is to escape
from cycle of rebirth
 Hinduism
Dharma (religion, encompasses duty, natural law, social welfare, ethics,
health etc)
• With moksha, atman leaves the world, reunites fully with Brahman
• To achieve moksha is to fulfill one’s dharma—spiritual duties, obligations
• By fulfilling dharma, one creates good karma, breaks free from rebirth cycle
of life.
Hinduism

The end