Hinduism- Introduction
Basic Hinduism
In the history of mankind many cultures have come and gone but Hinduism has stood the test of time and has
managed to spread all over the world
The world's third largest and oldest religion
Hinduism is considered by many as the oldest active religion in the world
The word Hindu is derived from the Sanskrit word Sindhu meaning River
It was the Arabic invaders that use the name Hindu for people that were on the other side of the river Indus
Hinduism is not the real name for the religion
This name was made up by Greeks and Arabs to those living by the Sindhu River
Hinduism has spread across many countries over the years especially in Nepal, Bangladesh and Myanmar,
Malaysia, Cambodia, Indonesia, Thailand, and other Asian countries
the people following Hinduism is approximately 1 billion people which is about 14% of the world's population
The largest Hindu temple in the world is not in India, it is located in Angkor Cambodia
Sanatana Dharma
The real name of Hinduism is Sanatana Dharma or the Vedic dharma
Sanatana dharma means the Eternal way
Hinduism also has no founder according to scholars
Hinduism has various cultural and traditional roots
Co-existence
In Hinduism; atheists and believers in a God can actually exist together
This is because Hinduism gives complete freedom of practice and they advocate that there are many ways to
reach God
Although the path may be different
They follow a well-known Hindu saying that “the truth is one”
Hinduism aims to teach you “ lokah samasta sukhino bhavantu Om shanti shanti shanti” “may all the beings in
all the worlds be happy let there be peace, peace, and peace everywhere”
Aum
Om is a sound that is spelled in the word “AUM” or simply “om”
It is considered to be a very holy sound, the beginning sound ah that represents the creation aspect of the
universe and everything within it
The move sound signifies the maintaining energy in the universe as well as the subtle impressions of the mind
and the mmm sound
It characterizes the transformative energy of the universe and the thoughts and beliefs of your beingness
THE SEVEN CORE BELIEFS OF HINDUISM
1. Belief in BRAHMAN (The Universal Soul)
2. Belief in ATMAN (The Immortal Individual Soul)
3. Belief in KARMA (Bad or Good Action that determines one's present and future)
4. Belief in MOKSHA (Liberation from the Cycle of Life (SAMSARA) towards oneness with BRAHMAN)
5. Belief in VEDAS (The 4 Sacred Books of Hindus)
6. Belief in CYCLICAL TIME
7. Belief in DHARMA ("Proper behaviour" - a video posted on other section interpreting what is Dharma)
(Base on Caste?)
THE SACRED BOOKS OF HINDUISM
1. VEDAS - Rig Veda (Songs and Hymns), Yajur Veda (Rituals), Sama Veda (Worship Songs), Atharva Veda
(Spells and Curses?)
2. UPANISHADS - Sequel to Vedas but more of critique from some of its teachings like the spells and curses
3. PURANAS - Encyclopedia of Hindu beliefs like YOGA, CASTE SYSTEM, TAXATION, HELL, GODS
etc.
4. BHAGAVAD GITA - A story that explains the concept of DHARMA
5. RAMAYANA- The Ramayana is an ancient Sanskrit epic which follows Prince Rama's quest to rescue his
beloved wife Sita from the clutches of Ravana with the help of an army of monkeys. The main topic of the story
ids following dharma. (bl.uk/onlinegallery/whatson/exhibitions/ramayana/guide.html#:~:text=The
%20Ramayana%20is%20an%20ancient,500%20BCE%20to%20100%20BCE.)
6. MAHABHARATA - Longest poem in the whole world. Like Ramayana the topic of this epic work is still
following ones dharma. (ancient.eu/Mahabharata/)
HINDUS 4 GOALS OF A GOOD LIFE
1. DHARMA - follow and act on your nature
2. ARTA - to prosper and to have a good reputation
3. KAMA - enjoying pleasure both body and mind (Some only knows the KAMA SUTRA)
4. MOKSHA - freedom from the never ending birth, death, rebirth cycle of life.
HOW? A Hindu should practice ARTA and KAMA with DHARMA to attain MOKSHA.
THE SIX TEMPTATIONS A HINDU MUST AVOID:
1. KAMA - different from the KAMA mention above - it refers too must materialism
2. KRODHA - anger
3. LOBHA - Greed
4. MOHA - unrealistic attachment to things, people, and power
5. MADA - pride
6. MATSARYA – jealousy
FOR THE RECORD HINDUS HAS THOUSANDS OF GODS!
1. BRAHMA - THE CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE (BUT HE IS NOT THE UNIVERSE BRAHMAN IS
and they are different)
2. SARASWATI - GODDESS OF LEARNING (Consort of Brahma)
3. VISHNU - THE PRESERVER - He has some AVATARS like KRISHNA, RAMA
4. LAKSHMI (goddess of good fortune and wealth) and BHU DEVI (earth goddess) - consorts pf Vishnu
5. SHIVA - the destroyer
6. PARAVATI AND SATI - SHIVA'S CONSORTS
7. GANESHA (REMOVER OF OBSTACLES) AND MURUGAN (GOD OF WAR) - SONS OF SHIVA
FOUR (4) DENOMINATIONS OF HINDUISM
1. VAISHNAVAS - WORSHIPS VISHNU
2. SHAIVAS - WORSHIPS SHIVA AND HER SONS
3. SMARTAS - FOLLOWS THE TEACHINGS OF PURANAS, RAMAYANA, MAHABHARATA and
worships GANESHA, DURGA, SURYA, SHIVA AND VISHNU'S AVATAR
4. SHAKTAS - WORSHIPS DEVI
THE CASTE SYSTEM: Base from one's function or skill in the society
1. BRAHMINS - Priests
2. KSHATRIYAS - Warriors
3. VAISHYAS - Traders
4. SHUDRAS - Laborers
5. UNTOUCHABLES - WITHOUT CASTE (REGARDED AS IMPURE OR LOWEST) (This is
controversial!) (Injustice?)
