Hinduism

Hinduism

• The 3rd largest religion in the world– 14% of the world’s population

• 6,000 years old– The oldest “living” religion in the

world

Hinduism in the world• Practiced mostly in South Asia:– India, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh

The largest Hindu temple in the world, located in Delhi, India

Hinduism

• Hinduism does not have one single founder

• The Vedas is the holy book of Hinduism

Hinduism

• A very complex religion

• Monotheistic and Polytheistic beliefs– Believe in one “Universal Spirit”– Believe that spirit is made up of many parts (many

different gods)

Polytheistic• Over 300 million Hindu Gods

• Brahma- The Creator of All• Shiva- creates and destroys the world• Vishnu- guides and protects humans

Ganesha Durga Garuda Shiva

Dietary Hinduism

• Vegetarianism- Hindus typically do not eat meat– This is not mandatory, but widely practiced

Words to Watch

• Reincarnation – the belief that the soul passes from one body to the next (based on karma)

• Nirvana- a state of being free from suffering– Great peace and unique form of awareness

• Karma - Law of action and reaction– If you do good, expect good things to happen– If you do bad, expect bad things to happen

Baby with eight limbs is thought to be Vishnu reincarnated

Vishnu is known as the preserver of the universe

Lakshmi- The name is derived from the wife of Vishnu She had an operation at 2

years old and is now in good health

Reincarnation

• If you could be reincarnated as any person, animal, or plant, what would you choose and why?– If you died and could come back to earth as anything– Answer in your interactive notebooks and illustrate

I would choose to be a kangaroo because I love to jump around

Karma

• Can you think of a time where you’ve seen karma in action or personally experienced karma?

– Take 5 minutes to discuss with your group– Each group will share one story

Example- Once when I was as the at the grocery store I saw a woman drop $5 on the ground. I picked it up to give it back to her, but she told me to keep it since I was honest

Hindu Review (for 2 bonus points)

Group 1What is reincarnation?

Hindu Review (for 2 bonus points)

Group 2How old is the Hindu religion?

Hindu Review (for 2 bonus points)

Group 3What is the difference between “monotheistic”

and “polytheistic”?

Hindu Review (for 2 bonus points)

Group 4Who founded Hinduism?

Hindu Review (for 2 bonus points)

Group 5What is karma?

Hindu Review (for 2 bonus points)

Group 6What is dietary Hinduism?