hinduism

yigujgh

What ranked religion is Hinduism in terms of numbers?

3rd, over 1 billion followers, 905 million in India, 1 million in UK.

What does Hinduism explain?

Hinduism seeks to explain how human life fits into universal context. Its rituals all aim to address how everything relates in turn to the universal order of things.

Exiled (Ramayana)

Rama, avatar of Vishnu, prince of Ayodhya was going to be married to Sita, but was exiled with his younger brother, Lakshmana and Sita for 14 years in a forest, because of his stepmother, Kaikeyi, to let her son, Bharata rule.

Abduction of Sita (Ramayana)

Sita was abducted by Ravana, a 10

Stuck in a place (Ramayana)

Hanuman, monkey god, and son of wind tries to help, but it is monsoon season, full of rain, delaying him. After the monsoon, he flies to Sita and offers to rescue her, but she wants Rama to rescue her.

Being saved (Ramayana)

Hanuman flies back and tells Rama what just happened. Rama then commands an army of monkeys over the ocean. He saves Sita, but can't look at her, because she lived in the house of a titan for a year.

Testing of Chastity (Ramayana)

To prove her loyalty, Sita does the fire test, where if she is not loyal, would burn. She stands on a campfire, and is unscathed by the fire god.

Returning Home (Ramayana)

Rama, Sita, and all of the monkeys that were part of Rama's army fly back home. All monkeys that died were brought back to life by the request of Rama. Rama ruled over his kingdom for 10,000 years.

Dharma

The cosmic law in Hinduism; your duty. Refers to what is right and what is true.

Varna

Varna, your class or caste classifies Hindus into 4 main groups. Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, Shudras.

Varnadharma

Each class being mutually dependent on each other for the proper function of society.

Brahmins

The priestly class. Ones who lead worship are pujari. Ones who teach scriptures are swamis.

Kshatriyas

Warriors and leaders

Vaishyas

Merchants

Shudras

Craft workers and farmers

Dalits (Harijans)

Exist out of the caste system, because they are deemed 'Untouchable'. Deal with dead animals and waste matter, particularly excrement. Gandhi renamed them to Harijans (Children of God), recognising that all human beings have a soul.

Shruti Texts

Revealed by the holy (h in sHruti). Passed down orally. Examples: Vedas, Upanishads.

Smriti Texts

Created by man (m in sMriti). Passed down through writing. Examples: Ramayana, Mahabharata

Two forms of monotheism in Hinduism

Pantheism and Monism

Pantheism

God is in everything. This version of monotheism believes that Brahman is the manifestation of everything in this reality, or is everything in this reality.

Monism

God is all

Brahman

The ultimate reality.

Atman

The soul, essence of God. Every person has an atman.

Samsara

The cycle of life, death, and rebirth.

Moksha

Escaping samsara, achieving eternal moksha.

Karma

Your actions will decide what sort of body your atman will be reborn.

3370 BCE

1750 BCE

1750 BCE

500 BCE

200 BCE

320 CE

650 BCE

1200 CE