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Hinduism - IWRBS Module 1

Cjch n anapublished nya sino nag sabi HAHAHAHA one of the story is that this is the study of human society and the way you are aware of the story is that this is the study of human society

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Hinduism - IWRBS Module 1

Cjch n anapublished nya sino nag sabi HAHAHAHA one of the story is that this is the study of human society and the way you are aware of the story is that this is the study of human society

Uploaded by

noctisgadz09
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Introduction to World Religions &

Belief Systems
Lesson: Hinduism

Reminders:

• Read and understand carefully the module below, all explanations are already given.
• Write the important information on your IWRBS notes.
• Write the all the activities together with answer in your yellow pad paper.

Submission will on our Face-to-face meeting. Thank you and God bless. Keep safe!
I. Introduction:
• Hinduism is the world’s oldest religion, according to many scholars, with roots and
customs dating back more than 4,000 years.

• Today, with about 900 million followers, Hinduism is the third-largest religion
behind Christianity and Islam.

• Roughly 95 percent of the world’s Hindus live in India.


• Because the religion has no specific founder, it’s difficult to trace its origins and
history. Hinduism is unique in that it’s not a single religion but a compilation of many
traditions and philosophies.

(Hinduism Logo)

• Contrary to popular understanding, Hindus recognize one God, Brahman, the eternal
origin who is the cause and foundation of all existence.

• Hinduism is a polytheistic religion.

• Hindus recognize prominent deities:


1. Brahma: the god responsible for the creation of the world and all living things
2. Vishnu: the god that preserves and protects the universe
3. Shiva: the god that destroys the universe in order to recreate it
4. Devi: the goddess that fights to restore dharma
5. Krishna: the god of compassion, tenderness and love
6. Lakshmi: the goddess of wealth and purity
7. Saraswati: the goddess of learning

• But they believe in approximately 33 million gods.


II. Beliefs
Some basic Hindu concepts include:

• Hinduism embraces many religious ideas. For this reason, it’s sometimes referred to
as a “way of life” or a “family of religions”, as opposed to a single, organized
religion.

• Most forms of Hinduism are henotheistic, which means they worship a single deity,
known as “Brahman,” but still recognize other gods and goddesses. Followers
believe there are multiple paths to reaching their god.

• Hindus believe in the doctrines of samsara (the continuous cycle of life, death, and
reincarnation) and karma (the universal law of cause and effect).
• One of the key thoughts of Hinduism is “atman,” or the belief in soul. This philosophy
holds that living creatures have a soul, and they’re all part of the supreme soul. The
goal is to achieve “moksha,” or salvation, which ends the cycle of rebirths to become
part of the absolute soul.

• One fundamental principle of the religion is the idea that people’s actions and
thoughts directly determine their current life and future lives.

• Hindus strive to achieve dharma, which is a code of living that emphasizes good
conduct and morality.

• Hindus revere all living creatures and consider the cow a sacred animal.

• Food is an important part of life for Hindus. Most don’t eat beef or pork, and many are
vegetarians.
• Hinduism is closely related to other Indian religions, including Buddhism, Sikhism and
Jainism.

III. Symbols

• There are two primary symbols associated with Hinduism, the om and the swastika.
The word swastika means "good fortune" or "being happy" in Sanskrit, and the
symbol represents good luck. (A diagonal version of the swastika later became
associated with Germany’s Nazi Party when they made it their symbol in 1920.)

• The om symbol is composed of three Sanskrit letters and represents three sounds (a, u
and m), which when combined are considered a sacred sound. The om symbol is often
found at family shrines and in Hindu temples.

IV. Holy Books


• Hindus value many sacred writings as opposed to one holy book.

• The primary sacred texts, known as the Vedas, were composed around 1500
B.C. This collection of verses and hymns was written in Sanskrit and contains
revelations received by ancient saints and sages.
The Vedas are made up of:

• The Rig Veda


• The Samaveda
• Yajurveda
• Atharvaveda

V. Place of Worship

• Hindu worship, which is known as “puja,” typically takes place in the Mandir (temple).
Followers of Hinduism can visit the Mandir any time they please.

• Hindus can also worship at home, and many have a special shrine dedicated to certain
gods and goddesses.

• The giving of offerings is an important part of Hindu worship. It’s a common practice
to present gifts, such as flowers or oils, to a god or goddess.

• Additionally, many Hindus take pilgrimages to temples and other sacred sites in India.
VI. Caste System
The caste system is a social hierarchy in India that divides Hindus based on their karma and
dharma.

The four main castes (in order of prominence) include:

1. Brahmin: the intellectual and spiritual leaders


2. Kshatriyas: the protectors and public servants of society
3. Vaisyas: the skillful producers
4. Shudras: the unskilled laborers
VII. Holidays

• Hindus observe numerous sacred days, holidays and festivals.

• Some of the most well-known include:

1. Diwali: the festival of lights


2. Navaratri: a celebration of fertility and harvest
3. Holi: a spring festival
4. Krishna Janmashtami: a tribute to Krishna’s birthday
5. Raksha Bandhan: a celebration of the bond between brother and sister
6. Maha Shivaratri: the great festival of Shiva

Activity:
The primary sacred texts of Hindus are known as the Vedas. The Vedas are
made up of 4 categories (The Rig Veda, The Samaveda, Yajurveda, and
Atharvaveda). Look for their meanings and write them on a piece of yellow
paper (minimum of two sentences).

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