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 world’s 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
 Hinduism’s 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 in
modern day
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 Supreme Vishnu- preserve not Shiva- The destroyer and
being who created the only the earth, but the the restorer.
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 Hindu’s
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 can’t 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 a99.3% 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
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"Vaishnavism - ReligionFacts." Vaishnavism - ReligionFacts. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Feb. 2016.