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Home , Atman (Hinduism), Bhakti, Guru, Hinduism, Hindus, The Hindu Pantheon

What is ?

One of the oldest of humanity The of the Gave birth to , , Tolerance and diversity: " is one, paths are many" Many but a single, impersonal Ultimate A and a way of life – focused both on this world and beyond Religion vs

Abrahamic religions Hindu Dharma - Religious related - Many different paths to to following of rules spiritual progress in an defined by scriptures experiential process - may be worshipped - God may be worshipped in only in a few specific ways many forms and ways - There is no mortal life after - Eternal bliss achieved , through good but assessment on (actions) and Judgment Day - All creatures are infused - “higher” than with the same paramatma, animals, so treat and so should be respected differently - Dharma as one way of life - Idea of religion being the imbibed in society only religion leading to How did Hinduism begin?

No particular founder Valley >5000 years ago enter 4000 - 3500 years ago Vedic Tradition 3500 – 2500 years ago: and many () sacred texts () social stratification ( system) (metaphysical philosophy) 2800 – 2400 years ago Vedic Tradition develops into Hinduism What are the Sacred Texts?

Shruti (“heard”) – oldest, most authoritative: Four Vedas (“truth”) – myths, rituals, Upanishads - metaphysical speculation Plus other texts (“remembered”) – the Great Indian Epics: (includes Bhagavad-Gita) Plus others and Their Significance

Diwali – , celebrating Ram being anointed King in The Ramayana Navratri – lit. “nine nights”, of the female aspect of God Mahashivratri – in honour of , of Shiva to on this day Ramnavmi – marriage of Ram to on this day Janmasthami – celebration of the birth of Bandhan – symbolic promise given by men to protect their sisters – annual spring festival of color, represents triumph of good over What do believe?

One impersonal – Manifest as many personal deities True essence of life – , the , is Brahman trapped in (“That art thou”) – atman is continually born into this world lifetime after lifetime (Samsara) Karma – spiritual impurity due to actions keeps us bound to this world (good and bad) Ultimate goal of life – to release Atman and reunite with the divine, becoming as one with Brahman () How does Hinduism direct life in this world?

Respect for all life – vegetarian life as supreme: Four “stations” of life (Caste) - & teachers, nobles & warriors, merchant class, servant class Four stages of life – student, , retired, renunciant Four duties of life – pleasure, success, social responsibilities, religious responsibilities (moksha) What are the spiritual practices of Hinduism?

The Four - seeking union with the divine: Karma – the path of action through selfless service (releases built up karma without building up new karma) Yoga – the path of (understanding the true nature of reality and the ) – the path of Yoga – the path of devotion – a spiritual teacher, especially helpful for Jnana and Raja yoga How do Hindus worship?

Bhakti Yoga is seeking union with the divine through loving devotion to manifest deities • In the home (household ) • In the (priests officiate) – making offerings to and decorating the images Darsan – “seeing” the deity (not idol worship) Prasad – taking the divine within your own being through eating of shared with the deity Who do Hindus worship? – the major gods of

Brahma, the creator god Who do Hindus worship? – the major gods of

Vishnu, the preserver god

Incarnates as ten (descents) including: (featured in the Ramayana) Krishna (featured in the Mahabharata) (Each shown with his consort, Sita and , respectively) Who do Hindus worship? – the major gods of the Hindu Pantheon Shiva, god of constructive destruction (the transformer) Appears as Shiva Nataraj, lord of the dance of creation…

and with his , Parvati, and son (the headed remover of obstacles) What about the ? – the feminine divine

Saraswati, of , consort of What about the goddesses? Devi – the feminine divine

Lakshmi, goddess of good fortune, consort of What about the goddesses? Devi – the feminine divine

Parvati, divine , wife of Shiva What about the goddesses? Devi – the feminine divine

Durga, protectress

Kali, destroyer of Plus about 330 million other deities All these deities are but Manifest forms (attributes and functions) of the impersonal Brahman And we too are manifest forms of God!

“We are not human beings having spiritual experiences; We are spiritual beings having a human experience!” “That art Thou” Hinduism is about recognizing the all pervasiveness of the divine Hindus on Hinduism

"The Truth is One, but different sages call it by different names” (Rig Veda 1.164.46).

"Hinduism multiple forms of the one God" (, an American Hindu organization).

"According to the tenets of Hinduism, God is one as well as many" (HinduWebsite.com). Hindus on Hinduism cont.

"Hindus believe in monotheistic polytheism, rather than polytheism" (The Hindu ).

"Even though Hinduism is mistakenly regarded by many as a religion having many gods namely, polytheism, yet truly speaking Hinduism is a monotheistic religion" (Sri Chidanda).

--taken from: http://www.religionfacts.com/hinduism/beliefs/theism.htm#1