RS 2

HINDUISM
REPORTERS:
IGLESIA, KRISTINE RIO D.
RANALAN, AYSHA O.
ZULITA, PRINCE KYLE M.
 HINDUISM
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:
Hinduism is one of the oldest religions in the world, originating in the Indian
subcontinent. It doesn't have a single founder or a specific date of origin; instead,
it developed over thousands of years through the amalgamation of various cultural
practices, beliefs, and rituals of the ancient Indus Valley Civilization and the Indo-
Aryan peoples.
 HINDUISM
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:

Hinduism evolved from the Vedas, ancient scriptures written in Sanskrit, and the
Sanskrit name for the Indus river Sindhu which include hymns, rituals, and
philosophical teachings. The Vedas form the foundation of Hindu thought and
culture. They consist of four primary texts: Rigveda, Samaveda, Yajurveda, and
Atharvaveda.
 HINDUISM
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:
Over the centuries, Hinduism has seen the rise of various philosophical schools
like Vedanta, Yoga, Samkhya, and others, contributing to its rich tapestry of
spiritual and philosophical ideas.
 HINDUISM
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:

Throughout its history, Hinduism has undergone changes, absorbed influences

from other cultures, and diversified into different sects and practices. It has also
experienced periods of growth, decline, and revival.
 BELIEFS AND TEACHINGS
Hinduism embraces many religious ideas. sometimes referred to as a “way of life” or
a “family of religions,” as opposed to a single, organized religion.

Henotheistic - they worship a single deity, known as “Brahman,” but still recognize
other gods and goddesses.

Hindus believe in the doctrines of samsara (the continuous cycle of life, death, and
reincarnation) and karma (the universal law of cause and effect).
 BELIEFS AND TEACHINGS

One of the key thoughts of Hinduism is “atman,” or the belief in soul. The goal is to
achieve “moksha,” or salvation, which ends the cycle of rebirths to become part of
the absolute soul.

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.
 BELIEFS AND TEACHINGS
Two Primary Symbols :

1. Swastika - means "good fortune" or "being happy" in Sanskrit,

and the symbol represents good luck.

2. Om - composed of three Sanskrit letters and represents three sounds

(a, u and m), which when combined are considered a sacred
sound

- it is often found at family shrines and in Hindu temples

 BELIEFS AND TEACHINGS

HINDUISM HOLY BOOKS

The Vedas are made up of:

Rig Veda (“Knowledge of the Verses”)
Samaveda (“Knowledge of the Cahnts”)
Yajurveda (“Knowledge of the Sacrifice”)
Atharvaveda (“Knowledge of the Fire Priest”)
 BELIEFS AND TEACHINGS

FOUR HINDU CASTE SYSTEM

Brahmin - the intellectual and spiritual leaders.

Kshatriyas - the protectors and public servants of society.

Vaisyas - the skillful producers.

Shudras - the unskilled laborers.

 DOCTRINE

Hinduism is a diverse and ancient religious tradition with no single doctrine. It

encompasses a wide range of beliefs, practices, and philosophies.

Dharma - (duty/righteousness),

Karma - (action and its consequences), and

Moksha (liberation from the cycle of rebirth).

 DOCTRINE

Various scriptures like the Vedas, Upanishads, and Bhagavad Gita contribute to the
philosophical foundation, but interpretations can vary widely.
 SCRIPTURES

Hinduism has a vast and diverse collection of sacred scriptures. Some of the most
important ones include:

Vedas - the oldest and most authoritative scriptures, divided into Rigveda,
Samaveda, Yajurveda, and Atharvaveda. They contain hymns, rituals, and
philosophical teachings.

Upanishads - philosophical texts that explore the nature of reality, self (atman), and
ultimate reality (Brahman). They are considered the culmination of Vedic thought.
 SCRIPTURES
Bhagavad Gita - a part of the Indian epic Mahabharata, it consists of a conversation
between Prince Arjuna and the god Krishna, addressing duty, righteousness, and the
nature of existence.

Ramayana - an epic narrative attributed to the sage Valmiki, recounting the story of
Prince Rama and his quest to rescue his wife Sita from the demon king Ravana.

Mahabharata - an extensive epic that includes the Bhagavad Gita and encompasses
diverse narratives, teachings, and moral dilemmas.
 SCRIPTURES

Puranas - collections of mythological stories, genealogies of gods and goddesses,

and legends. Examples include the Vishnu Purana and Shiva Purana.

Smritis - texts that provide guidelines for ethical and social conduct. The Manusmriti
is one such important work.

These scriptures, along with others, contribute to the rich tapestry of Hindu religious
literature, reflecting the diverse philosophical and cultural aspects of the tradition.
 “HINDUS HAVE STATUES TO WORSHIP"

Hinduism incorporates a wide variety of statues, images, and symbols for worship.
These representations are known as murtis or idols, and they serve as focal points
for devotion. Hindus believe in a single, formless divine reality (Brahman), but
they also recognize the importance of personal deities who manifest in specific
forms.
Some key deities worshipped in Hinduism:

Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva: The trinity of major

deities, representing creation, preservation, and
destruction, respectively.
Some key deities worshipped in Hinduism:

Lakshmi, Saraswati, Parvati: Goddesses

associated with wealth, knowledge, and power,
often depicted alongside their respective
consorts (Vishnu, Brahma, Shiva).
Some key deities worshipped in Hinduism:

Krishna and Rama: Incarnations of Vishnu,

celebrated for their divine exploits and moral
teachings.
Some key deities worshipped in Hinduism:

Ganesha: The elephant-headed god, revered as

the remover of obstacles.
Some key deities worshipped in Hinduism:

Hanuman: A monkey deity known for his

unwavering devotion to Lord Rama.
HOLY DAYS OF HINDU

Hinduism observes various holy days and festivals throughout the year. These
occasions are often linked to religious, cultural, and seasonal significance.

Some major Hindu festivals include:

Diwali: Also known as the Festival of Lights, it celebrates the victory of light over
darkness and good over evil. (Usually falls in October or November.)
HOLY DAYS OF HINDU

Holi: Known as the Festival of Colors, it marks the arrival of spring and is
celebrated with vibrant colored powders. (Typically takes place in March.)

Navaratri/Durga Puja: A festival dedicated to the goddess Durga, symbolizing the

triumph of good over evil. (Celebrated in September or October.)

Raksha Bandhan: A celebration of the bond between brothers and sisters. (Usually
in August.)
HOLY DAYS OF HINDU

Janmashtami: Commemorates the birth of Lord Krishna. (Celebrated in August.)

Ganesh Chaturthi: Honors the elephant-headed god Ganesha. ( Generally observed

in August or September.)

Maha Shivaratri: Dedicated to Lord Shiva, it involves fasting, prayer, and

meditation. (Typically occurs in February or March.)
HOLY DAYS OF HINDU

Pongal/Makar Sankranti: A harvest festival celebrated in various parts of India.

(Celebrated in January.)

In addition to these festivals, certain days of the week are considered auspicious
for specific deities.The Hindu calendar, which is lunar-based, plays a significant
role in determining these dates and times.
HOW HINDUS PRAY

Hindu prayer practices are diverse and can vary based on personal preference,
regional customs, and sects within Hinduism.

Puja: A ritualistic worship involving the use of various items such as flowers,
incense, lamps, and food offerings. Puja is often performed in homes or temples
and involves chanting of prayers and mantras.
HOW HINDUS PRAY

Mantras: Sacred chants or hymns, often recited repetitively during prayer to invoke
divine energies and seek blessings. The repetition of mantras is believed to have
spiritual significance.

Aarti: A ritual of waving lighted lamps before an image or idol of a deity,

accompanied by singing devotional songs.
HOW HINDUS PRAY

Meditation: Some Hindus practice meditation as a form of prayer, focusing on the

breath or a specific mantra to achieve a state of spiritual connection.

Yajna/Havan: Rituals involving the ceremonial offering of items into a consecrated

fire, symbolizing the offering of prayers to the deities.
HOW HINDUS PRAY

Bhajans and Kirtans: Devotional songs and musical performances dedicated to the
divine, often accompanied by clapping and dancing.

Japa: The repetition of a mantra or the name of a deity, usually using a set of
prayer beads (japa mala).
 Thank you
for listening!