hinduism

Hinduism founder

No founder

Indus Valley Civilization

2300-1500 bce

Vedic Period

1500-500 BCE

What was composed during Vedic Period?

4 Vedas (liturgical texts and songs used for gods in pantheons) Brahmanas, Aranyakas, Upanishads

Brahmanas

liturgical contexts for vedas, sacrificed

Aranyakas

symbolism of rituals

Upanishads

philosophical teachings of hinduism

Three main gods of Hinduism

Trimurti (Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva)

Brahma

Creator god

Vishnu

preserver god associated with kindness and order

Shiva

god of destruction and rebirth, associated with Tandav (dance of the death)

Samsara

reincarnation

Atman

soul, essence of self

Moksha

unification of the Atman with Brahman (the ultimate reality)

Karma

the effects of a person's actions that determine his destiny in his next incarnation

Dharma

social obligations and duties

Three Paths to Moksha

Jnana (wisdom/knowledge), Karma (practice/action), and Bhakti (devotion)

Four Goals

Artha (worldly success), Kama (pleasure), Dharma (morality), and Moksha (liberation)

Hindu Worship

Puja (worship), Murtis (images), and Mantras (prayers)

Food

Cows are sacred, vegetarian, fasting

Social Class (Varna)

Brahmins (priestly class), Kshatriyas (rulers and warriors), Vaishyas (farmers, merchants, and craftsmen), Shudras (laborers), and Dalit

Hindu Leadership

Priests (Brahmin class), Guru (teacher), Rishi (sage), Atikranta-bhavaniya (yoga)

Hindu Festivals

Diwali (Festival of Lights) and Holi (Festival of Colors)