Hinduism

The world's "oldest extant religion"

Makes up 80% of population of India Belief in many gods Belief in reincarnation (the rebirth of souls after death) Karma moral consequences of people
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World Religions Map

There are approximately 1 billion Hindus, making Hinduism the third largest religion in the world after Christianity and Islam, of whom approximately 890 million live in India

Hinduism
(Sanskrit)

It originated on the Indian subcontinent with foundations in the Vedic civilization, but has no known founder, being itself a conglomerate of diverse beliefs and traditions.

Bhagavad Gita
Sanskrit:
The "Song of God" is an ancient Sanskrit text comprising 700 verses from the Mahabharata. Krishna, as the speaker of the Bhagavad Gita is referred to within as Bhagavan.

Hindu Temple
Houses of worship for followers of Hinduism. They are usually specifically reserved for religious and spiritual activities.

Who is Hindu?
When we think of the Hindu religion, we find it difficult, if not impossible, to define Hindu religion or even adequately describe it. Unlike other religions in the world, the Hindu religion does not claim any one prophet; it does not worship any one God; it does not subscribe to any one dogma; it does not believe in any one philosophic concept; it does not follow any one set of religious rites or performances; in fact, it does not appear to satisfy the narrow traditional features of any religion of creed. It may broadly be described as a way of life and nothing more.
- Chief Justice P. B. Gajendragadkar

Five Major Doctrines

Truth is one, Sages call it by different names All Mankind is One Family Law of Karma - As you sow, so shall you reap That mode of living which is founded upon total harmlessness towards all creatures or upon a minimum of such harm, is the highest morality Whenever there is a decline of virtue, God incarnates Himself on earth to uphold righteousness Vishnu Shiva

Mandala
A plan, chart or geometric pattern which represents the cosmos metaphysically or symbolically, a microcosm of the universe from the human perspective.

This denotes an action that brings back results in this life or in the future life. The doctrine of karma (karmavada) is based upon the theory of cause and effect. According to this doctrine, God is not responsible for the pleasure or pain of His creatures. They suffer or enjoy owing to the consequences of their own bad or good deeds.

Castes in India
The Indian caste system has been in use for many years. Still today the values of the caste system are held strongly. It has kept a sense of order, and peace among the people.
Varna is a person's natural and right position in society. The caste one has must dictate his or her role in life.

Caste-System
System of social classes Brahmans Priests and scholars Kshatriyas rulers and warriors Vaisyas farmers and merchants Sudras artisans and workers Dalits - untouchables

Brahmans

Brahma carving at a temple in Halebidu

A handcolored engraving of Brahma

Highest class: priests and wise men of the society origin: Mouth of Brahma

Kshatriyas
soldiers/landowners origin: Arm of Brahma Lord Sri Rama with wife Sita, brother Lakshmana and devotee Hanuman. Rama and Lakshmana are always shown to be ready for battle as it is their Kshatriya dharma to fight.

Vaisyas
Artisans/merchants origin: thighs of Brahma A Vaishya is a member of the second of the four classes of traditional Indian society. In Bhagavad-Gita their duties are stated as cow protection, agriculture and business.

Sudras

Cattle are sacred in India, yet can be used as work animals, for their milk, and for their dung fertilizer. These farmer/laborer caste men are cutting grass.

Discrimination against India's lowest Hindu castes is technically illegal. But try telling that to the 160 million Untouchables (dalits), who face violent reprisals if they forget their place.

Dalit

Even now, this rejected caste is left to clean the streets and do other dirty work.

Shivas bull, Nandi Bull temple

Swastika
The swastika is considered extremely holy and auspicious by all Hindus, and is regularly used to decorate all sorts of items to do with Hindu culture.
It symbolizes Peace and Harmony, Lord Ganesh has it on his right hand. Differs from other uses of swastika by the four dots inside each of the

Yoga
One of the six schools of Hindu philosophy, focusing on meditation as a path to selfknowledge and liberation.

Statue of Shiva performing Yogic meditation

Hatha Yoga
A system of Yoga that is seen as a preparatory stage of physical purification that renders the body fit for the practice of higher meditation.

Concept of God
The Truth (Ultimate Reality) is one, Sages call it by different names - there is one God, (Supreme Reality) perceived differently. Supreme Reality is worshipped in male and female form. Hindu Deities represent various perceptions of a one God: monotheistic polytheism, rather than polytheism.

Hindu Trinity
Three manifestations of the Supreme Reality

Brahma : Creation

Vishnu : Preservation

Shiva : Destruction

Three Faces of Divine Three Cosmic Functions of the Supreme Lord Creation + Preservation+ Dissolution Generator + Operator + Destroyer = GOD

Lord Brahma, TheRama, Lord creator God of the Destroyer of Evil Trinity

Lord Vishnu, The Preserver god of the Trinity

Lord Krishna, Lord Shiva, The "giver" god. Destroyer of Evil

Lord Ganesh, God of knowledge

Hindu celebration: Varanasi

Varanasi
It gets its name from the two tributaries of the Ganga, Varuna and Assi. This enchanting city is said to have been founded by Lord Shiva.

Ten Great Observances

Patience, firmness and stability Forgiveness Self-control and contentment Not to steal or conceal, or be selfish Cleanliness, purity and honesty Control over senses and sexual energy Right knowledge of the scripture Material and spiritual knowledge or study Truth Absence of anger

Reincarnation Transmigration
According to Hinduism a soul reincarnates again and again on earth till it becomes perfect and reunites with it Source. A being has to live many lives and undergo many experiences before it can attain perfection, becoming one with the Divine.

The Wheel of Transmigration

Nirvana
In Hindu tradition, nirvana (more commonly called moksha) is the reuniting with Brahman, the universal God or universal soul. In traditional Hinduism, a soul reaches this state after living many lives in which it climbs up A mandala showing through the varna, or The Sure Way to Nirvana caste system.

What is meant by this quote? "Just as a man discards worn out clothes and puts on new clothes, the soul discards worn out bodies and wears new ones."

Rajput Wedding
This Rajput marriage blends two important families. For traditional Hindus, the rituals of marriage are one of the most important functions of life.
Bride Groom

Hindu Wedding
A day before the wedding the palm and feet of the bride are decorated with a henna design called mehndi".
A canopy or mandapa decorated with flowers is erected at the place of wedding.

TM

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi

The founder of Transcendental Meditation and the TM Movement, Maharishi's meditation techniques have been taught to millions of people around the world.

Links
http://www.hindupaintings.com/product/ZE69/ http://library.thinkquest.org/28505/hinduism/centr.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindu http://www.exoticindia.com/product/TD16/aff10490 http://home.austin.rr.com/nayagam/bridal.htm http://www.uuottawa.com/hinduweddingsmain.htm http://www.hennapage.com/henna/what/gallery/index.html http://www.krishna.org/ctfote/varnash.html