HINDUISM

INTRODUCTION TO
HINDUISM
Hindus called their religion
sanatan dharma = eternal
religion.
The word eternal means
without ever ending.
The roots of Hinduism began
in India. Most Hindus live in
India.

RELIGION

They believe in Brahman which is a Hindu word for God

and is everywhere and in everything.
Believe in one God but Brahman can be pictured in many
different forms of gods and goddesses.
Brahman is infinite, eternal and genderless.

Brahman

Brahma
Brahma

Vishnu
Vishnu

Shiva
Shiva

BRAHMA
Creator of Universe, Heaven
and Creation

VISHNU
Preserver of Universe
Cosmic Influence

SHIVA
Destroyer of Universe, Death
and Destruction

ATMAN : THE SOUL, THE REAL SELF

The real self is Atman.

Atman is the spirit of Brahman. It is trapped
in matter.
Material things do not have this soul.

Analogy In the use of car

The body is compared to the vehicle and the
soul is the driver.

A car cannot run without the driver, but the

driver can move without the car.
The same driver can use other car. Similarly
to the soul will leaves and enters to another
body.

(REINCARNATION)

Describes the concept of the soul

or spirit after death.

The soul or spirit is believed to

return to a new human body. (In
the form of human being, animal
and plant)

Reincarnation is based on the

persons previous life.

If the person has done good

things in his current life, he will be
reincarnated to a person who lives
in a good family or enjoy the
pleasure of life.

If the person has done bad things

in his current life, he will be
reincarnated mostly to animals.

KARMA

Comes from a Sanskrit word which means to do or act.

A concept of which beings (not just men) are rewarded or punished

according to their actions and intentions.

Good actions and intentions lead to good rewards or unification

with the divine which is called Moksha

Bad actions and intentions result in pain and suffering for being
reborn many times into lower castes of human or even lower
animals. They are unable to be released unless of being born again
as Brahmin or priestly caste.

DHARMA

Comes from a Sanskrit word which

means to uphold or to sustain.
It can be translated as religion,
duty and righteousness.

Examples:
1. The dharma of a child is to obey
their parents and to study.
2. Parents have the dharma to
protect and care for their children.
3. A head of dharma has a duty to
protect and give a secure
environment to the community.
. If they follow these dharmas, there
will be harmony.

MOKSHA

The goal of Hindus is to reach

Moksha

Moksha is . . .

(i.) Release or liberation from Samsara

(ii.) Eternally united with the Divine
(Brahman)
(iii.)
Endless
happiness
and
consciousness

S
E
U
L
A
V

KINDNESS AND
HOSPITALITY
The greeting of namaskar is used when meeting people or
bidding farewell.
It is the denial of ones ego.

The gesture is an acknowledgment of the soul in one by

the soul in another.

Namaskar to elder.

NON-VIOLENCE

Most Hindus are vegetarian.

Compassion for animals.
Fulfilling religious obligations to God and Gods creations.
Karma reason By eating other creature, one must suffer in
equal measure of the suffering caused.

REJECT COWARDICE
Hindus do not accept cowardice .
People will have to work hard and try to face the
challenges given.

ONE OCEAN, MANY

NAMES