11/12

INTRODUCTION TO WORLD
RELIGIONS AND BELIEF
SYSTEMS
Quarter II- Week 1
The Elements of Hinduism

CONTEXTUALIZED LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEETS

SCHOOLS DIVISION OF PUERTO PRINCESA CITY
Introduction to World Religion and Belief Systems – Grade 11/12
Contextualized Learning Activity Sheets (CLAS)
Quarter II-Week 1: The Elements of Hinduism
First Edition, 2020

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Lesson 1
The Elements of Hinduism

MELC: Examine the brief history, core teachings, fundamental beliefs, practices, and
related issues of Hinduism.(Week 1)

Objectives: 1. Identify the elements, history, core teachings, and fundamental beliefs of
Hinduism
2. Examine the core teachings, fundamental beliefs, practices, and related
issues of Hinduism

Let’s Explore and Discover

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Unlocking of Difficulties

Dharma- ( for Hindus)individual appropriate behavior or duty to be

fulfilled in observance of a custom or law.
(For Buddhists) it is a universal law or order.
Dharma religions includes Hinduism and the two branches of
Buddhism –Theravada and Mahayana schools of thought.
Hindu is a Persian word (in Sanskrit Sindhu) which means “river”.
Hinduism- is a name given in the 19th century to describe the wide array
of beliefs in India. It is also known as “Arya Dharma” or “Aryan Way”.

How did Hinduism arise and evolve in

Ancient India?

Hinduism is the oldest, organized religion that began on the Indian subcontinent
with no specific moment of origin and no specific founder. Hindu followers in their set
of beliefs and practices accept the pluralistic nature of their traditions.

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 Founders: Hinduism has no identifiable founder.
Sacred texts: Shruti and Shmriti
Doctrines: Hindu faith offers many paths to salvation.
Elements of Hinduism
Gods: 330 million gods and goddesses, Brahman is the
ultimate reality, one and undivided.
Issues: Manusmriti and the Caste System

Hinduism is considered to be the oldest and more

complex of all world religions. It is believed that it may have
started around the 3rd millennium BCE and it has no
identifiable founder.
Hindu means “river” to refer the people of the Indus Valley-
the Indians.
Brief history of
Between 1750 BCE and 1200 BCE Aryan conquerors
Hinduism
moved to the Indus Valley and brought with them their own
set of beliefs that eventually mingled with the religions of the
natives.
Aryan based their beliefs on oral texts known as Vedas.
Veda means “knowledge” or “sacred lore”.

Followers of Hinduism are called Hindus.

Brahman is the central to Hindu faith who is the ultimate

reality, one and undivided

Brahman has three forms or functions called Trimurti-

creation, preservation and destruction.

Beliefs and Doctrines

Functions expressed in god forms:
Hindu faith offers
many paths to
salvation
Bhakti stands for the
soul’s longing for and
clinging to god

Brahma Vishnu Shiva

the creator the preserver the destroyer

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 Shruti
Shruti literally means “that which is heard,” is the
eternal truths that were passed orally until the beginning
of the present age wherein there came the need to write
them down. Vedas and Shruti are the primary sources
and most authoritative texts of Hindu faith.

Four Basic Vedic Books (oral tradition)

Rig-veda, Sama-veda, Yajur-veda and Atharva-veda
1. Rig-Veda is the most important and the oldest
2. Yajur-Veda or “knowledge of rites
Sacred Scriptures 3. Sama-Veda or “knowledge of chants”

Vedas Four Main Parts

1. Mantras – hymns and chants for praising god
Other writings that form 2. Brahmanas- explanations of the Mantras with
Shruti are detailed descriptions of the sacrificial ceremonies
Samhitas, related to them.
Brahmanas,Upanishads 3. Aranyakas- meditations that explicate their meaning.
and few Sutras 4. Upanishads or secret (Vedanta)

➢ The sacred texts of Shmriti

Hinduism have principally
passed down throughout Shmriti literally means “that which has been
generations by way of remembered,” and reinfornces shruti. Texts are less
music, recitation, dance important as compare to Shruti particulary in terms of
and drama. stories, legends, codes of conduct for the society and
➢ The sacred writings guidebooks for worship.
of the Hindus are into two
classes- the Shruti and Ramayana
Shmriti.
The “Story of Rama” or “Rama’s Journey” is a
3 anskrit epic poem written by the poet Valmiki
consisting of 24,000 verses, seven books and 500 cantos.
Rama was a king who was the avatar or incarnation
of god Vishnu and was exiled by his father before his
coronation. Sita his consort was abducted by Ravana the
demon-king. Rama killed Ravana. Finally, Rama and Sita
reunited.

Mahabharata

Mahabharata is the longest 3 anskrit literature

writteb by Vyasa. It tells the struggle of the descendants
of king Bharata. Further, it talks about the family feud
between Pandavas who are the good ones and Kauravas
who embodied the evil-ones. Kauravas cheated their
cousins Pandavas which resulted to an intense battle but
with the help of Krishna, the Pandavas won the battle
but lost their sons and kins.

Bhagavad Gita
It is the celebrated episode within the Mahabhrata.
Bhagavad Gita (simply Gita) and is translated as “the
Lord’s Song”. It is one of the holiest books.

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 Subdivisions
It is important to note however that while these gods have different names, Hindus all
worship one supreme being-Brahman.
Shaivism Shaktism Vaishnavism Smartism

Lord Shiva, the She is the supreme Lord Vishnu is God Smartas are left to
Compassionate Goddess for for the Vaisnavites, choose their own
One. Shaktas. The divine especially in his deity in one of six
mother who is incarnations manifestations-
gentle or a fiery Krishna and Rama. Ganesha, Siva,
deity. Shakti, Vishnu,
Surya and Skanda.

There are 330 million gods or devas according to their

scriptures

Worship and Hindu worship or puja involves:

Observances • Murtis – images
• Mantra- prayers
• Yantras- diagrams of the universe
Hindu festivals

• Holi
• Diwali
• Dusserah
Diwali or the “ Festival of Lights” is India’s biggest and
most important holiday of the year held in October or
November which like Christmas for Christians.

In the Manusmriti or the “Laws of Manu” it states

that women should be honored in Hindu society on the
contrary, women have always been considered inferior
to men in all aspects of life.

Caste System
Related/Selected Issues • A social class composed of the Brahmins,
of Hinduism Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras
• The most deplorable group is the Dalits-“outcasts”
or “untouchables.
• The present condition may have been caused by
their accumulated karma from the past.
• By fulfilling their duties and accepting their
Dharma they may be born to a better caste in their
next live.

(Source: Jerome A. Ong and Mary Dorothy dL. Jose, Introduction to World Religions
and Belief Systems, Pasig City:Department of Education, Inc. 2016, 212-230)

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 Let’s Practice
Directions: Identify the elements of Hinduism in each number and
write your answer on the space provided before each number.
Choose your answer from the box.

Diwali Yantras Brahma

Bhagavad Gita Vishnu Dalit or untouchable

_____________________1. It is the biggest and most important holiday in India.

_____________________2. It is translated as “the Lord’s Song”.
_____________________3. Hindu worship involves murtis, mantras and_______.
_____________________4. He is known to be the god creator.
_____________________5. This group is considered to be deplorable ones.

Directions: Write the word TRUE if the statement is correct and

FALSE if it is wrong. Underline the word/s that makes the
statement false.

__________1. Hinduism is the world’s third largest religion.

__________2. The term Hindu has originated from an Indian word which means “river”.

__________3.The word Veda means “wisdom” or “sacred lore”.

__________4. The term Shruti literally means “ that which is heard”.

__________5. The past of the individual for Hinduism is important for it determines one
present condition and this is called karma.

Is doing good to your neighbor (kapwa) still noble? Why or why not?

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 Let’s Do More
Directions: Match column A with the correct answer on
column B. Write the letter of your answer on the space
provided before each number.

Column A Column B

_____1. The founders of Hinduism. A. Vishnu

_____2. It is the translation of the B. Founders, Sacred texts,

Hindu term samsara Doctrines, Gods and Issues

_____3. The elements of Hinduism C. Shiva

_____4. He is the god whose primary D. Reincarnation

concern is humanity in itself

_____5. Who is the god of death and E. Have no one identifiable persons or
a destroyer beings.

Directions: Read each statement carefully and write the letter of

the correct answer on the space provided before each number.
Choose your answer in the box below.

A. Hinduism C. Manusmriti E. Trimurti

B. Karma D. Sutras F. Shiva
_______1. What is the Hindu term for “Laws of Manu”?
_______2. What do you call is the caused of the present condition of an individual?
C. ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
_______3. What is originally known as “Arya Dharma” or “Aryan Way?
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
_______4.///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
These are the other writings that forms shruti: Samashitas,Brahmanas,
Upanishad and _____?
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
_______5.///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
What do you call the three functions or forms of Brahman?
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
In the caste system the untouchables are the no value group of people and have to be
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
avoided.///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Can you think of any incident in the past of which you felt unwanted or
ostracized for any reason, and how did you deal or cope with it?
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
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///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 Let’s Sum It Up
Directions: Complete the statement by filling the blanks. Select your answer from
the box.

Devas Hindus Smartas Hindu faith Bhakti

Shiva Brahma Dusserah Caste system Shakt

1. Followers of Hinduism are called ______________.

2. ________________ offers its followers many paths to salvation.
3. ____________ stands for the souls’s longing for and clinging to god.
4. ____________ is the central to Hinduism who is the ultimate reality, one
and undivided.
5. There are 330 million gods in the Hindu scriptures who are also
called _____________.
6. He is the Compassionate Lord, the God of Saivites, _________.
7. ______________ is the divine mother and gentle one or fiery deity.
8. ______________are left to choose their own deity in one of six manifestations.
9. ______________ is a social class composed of the Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas
and Shudras.
10. These are the main festivals in Hinduism Holi, Diwali and _________.

Let’s Assess
Directions: Read carefully the questions and supply the letter of the correct
answer on the space provided before each number.

.
________1. He was the prince and later portrayed as an avatar or incanation of god
Vishnu.
A. Rama C. Iliad
B. Sita D. Odyssey

_______2. It is one of the fundamental teachings of Hinduism.

A. Karma C. Torii Gate
B. Shmriti D. Sacred Scriptures

_______3. Which of the following is the literal translation of the word “shmriti”?
A. Sacred Scripture C. “sitting close to”
B. Reincarnation D. “that which has been remembered”

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________4. What are the earlist known Sanskrit literatures from Brahmanic period and
the oldest scriptures of Hinduism?
A. Karma C. Smriti
B. Vedas D. Mantras

________5. It is the word which literally means “ sitting down near”.

A. Atman C. Samsara
B. Moksha D. Upanishad

________6.What is the name of the demon-king who abducted Sita in the story of
Ramayana?
A. Odyssey C. Ravana
B. Rama D. Vishnu

________7. What is the Hindu term used for “reincarnation”?

A. Atman C. Upanishad
B. Samsara D. Worship

________8.What epic poem that is translated and known as the “ Story of Rama” or
“Rama’s Journey”?
A. Iliad C. Ramayana
B. Odyssey D. Ravana

________9.What is present within every human that is being reborn many times?
A. Atman C. Samsara
B. Karma D. Yogas

________10. What are the two souces of the sacred writings of Hinduism?
A. Iliad and Odyssey C. Shmriti and Shruti
B. Rama and Sita D. Vishnu and Siva

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 Answer Key
Let’s Practice Let’s Do More
Activity 1 Activity 2 Activity 1 Activity 2
1. Diwali E 1. True 1. E 1. C
2. Bhagawad Gita 2. False-Indian 2. D 2. A
3. Yantras 3. False-Wisdom 3. B 3. B
4. Brahma 4. True 4. A 4. E
5. Dalit 5. True 5. C 5. D

Let’s Sum It Up Let’s Assess

1. Hindus 1. A
2. Hindu faith 2. A
3. Bhakti 3. D
4. Brahma 4. B
5. Devas 5. D
6. Shiva 6. C
7. Shakti 7. B
8. Smartas 8. C
9. Caste System 9. A
10. Dusserah 10. C

References
Book

Ong, Jerome A. and Mary Dorothy dL. Jose. Introduction to World Religions and
Belief Systems, Pasig City:Department of Education. 2016.

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