Hinduism

When and where does Hinduism date back to

4000 Years ago in the ancient Indus Valley Civilization

How much of the worlds population follows Hinduism

13.6% of the worlds population making it the third largest religion in the world, behind Christianity and Islam 

Where do that vast majority of Hindus live

The Indian Subcontinent with over 1 billion Hindus living in India alone

Outside of Asia where do most Hindus live

The United states where there are 2 million

What does Hindu mean

Hindu is in reference to the Indus River but the term Hinduism only came into use in the 19th century

Hinduism is an overarching term

Is Hinduism a centralized or decentralized religion  

Decentralized. there is no creed, no founder, no single religious leader, no authority defining what the religion is. 

Do Hindus concern themselves with recruting converts?

No

Commonalities across most Hinduisms

The Universe including the human soul is permeated with a divine reality called Braham

Brahman can be known in many names and forms

A souls journey cannot be completed in a lifetime 

Deeds during life shape the soul’s journey in future lives.

The Vedas are sacred texts containing divine wisdom

What is the problem in Hinduism

Samsara

Samsara

The cycle of reincarnation which keeps the atman (human soul) tehered to earthly life

Rebirth is not seen as a positive experience.

Often pictured as a wheel

Atman

The immortal and transmigration human essence

What is the solution for Hinduism

Moksha

Moksha

The soul’s release or liberation from the cycle of Samsara

3 Margas/ways to escape the cycle in Hinduism 

Jnana

Karma

Bhakti

Jnana

The path of wisdom. 

Followers of Jnana Marga or Jnana yoga are often renounces, ascetics, or monks. 

Definition of yoga

Discipline

Karma

Translates into action

The effects of one’s actions return to you either as postivie or negative consequences

Binds us to the wheel of Samsara

determines the circumstances of a personons birth in their next life

Dharma

No direct translation.

Multiple meanings. “order and custom”" “right way of living” “religious and moral duties”

Following Dharma is part of creating good Karma

Definition of Devas and Devis

God and Goddesses

How many gods or devas/devis are there

anywhere from 1 to 330 million

Definition of Brahman

The absolute, ultimate reality which pervades all places and beings 

What are dieties in Hinduism

Manifestations of Brahman all with unique characteristics.

Avatars and Manifestations

Parvati

Kali

Durga

What is the Trimurti 

Trinity of the 3 supreme deities 

what gods are in the Trimurti

Brahma

Vishnu

Shiva

4 most popular deities in modern Hinduism

Shiva

Devi

Vishnu

Ganesh

What does the god Shiva represent 

The god of destruction and recycling. Assist the dying 

What does the God Vishnu represent

God of comic maintenance.

Typically worshiped in the form of one of his avatars Rama or Krishna 

What does the god Devi represent

All aspects of womanhood

Many different manifestation

What does the god Ganesh represent

The remover of obstacles and is thought to bring good luck. Popular in home altars.

Varnas or Caste system levels in order

Brahmins

Kshatriyas

Vaishuas

Shudras

Dalits/Outcasts

Who are Brahmins 

Priests and scholars 

Who are Kshatriyas

Warriors, administrators, and rulers

Who are Vaishyas

Merchants, tradespeople, farmers, artisans

Who are Shudras

Peasants, Laborers, servantsW

Who are Dalits

Outcasts. Outside the caste system, Called untouchables

What is the sacred site for Hinduism

The Ganges River

What do Hindus do in the Ganges River

fulfill pilgrimages, purification rituals, funeral ceremonies.

What does Puja mean

Worship

Where does Puja take place

Conducted at home or a table as a part of a public ritual or at a shrine P

Puja takes form of what?

An offering, usually a sacred flame aarti 

Indus River Valley

Where the origin of the word Hindu

Where Hinduism began

Hindu pantheon 

Made up of many devas and devis who are manifestation of Brahman

The Ganges River 

The most sacred site in Hinduism 

Samsara

The cycle of reincarnation that keeps the atman (soul) bound to earthly life.

Moksha

The liberation or release of the soul from Samsara.

Problem and Solution in Hinduism

The problem is Samsara (rebirth cycle); the solution is Moksha (spiritual liberation).

Indus Valley Civilization

Early culture (2500–1500 BCE) with advanced cities and early deities that shaped Hinduism.

Aryan Invasion Thesis

Theory suggesting Indo-European Aryans influenced Indian religion and language.

The Vedas

The most sacred Hindu texts containing hymns

Shruti

“What is heard” — revealed sacred texts.

Smriti

“What is remembered” — authored traditions or commentaries.

Rig Veda

The oldest Veda (1500–1000 BCE) containing creation hymns like the Hymn of the Cosmic Man.

Vedic Religion

Proto-Hindu religion emphasizing priestly authority

Brahmin Priests

Religious leaders who performed rituals and sacrifices to maintain cosmic order.

Vedic Problem and Solution

Problem: chaos in the cosmos and society; Solution: ritual sacrifice and divine intercession.

Upanishads

Philosophical texts (800–100 BCE) introducing Brahman

Classical Hinduism

Shifted focus from earthly life to spiritual liberation and eternal truth.

Sannyasins

Renouncers who give up worldly attachments to pursue Moksha.

Mahabharata

The longest epic poem telling of a warring family and including the Bhagavad Gita.

Ramayana

The story of Prince Rama and Sita

Bhagavad Gita

Dialogue between Arjuna and Krishna about dharma and devotion; central Hindu text.

Bhakti Marga

The path of devotion to a personal deity as a way to attain Moksha.

Bhakti Movement

Period emphasizing personal worship

Varna

“Birth group” that determines social class and duty.

Brahmin

Priests and scholars; the highest Varna.

Kshatriya

Warriors

Vaishya

Merchants

Shudra

Laborers and servants.

Dalits

Outcasts or “untouchables” outside the Varna system with limited mobility.

Swastika

Ancient symbol of good fortune and cosmic cycles; predates Nazi use.

Pashupati Seal

Artifact depicting a proto-Shiva figure from the Indus Valley Civilization.

Vedic vs Contemporary Hinduism

Vedic: public priestly sacrifice; Contemporary: personal devotion and temple worship.

Tantra

Spiritual path emphasizing feminine Shakti energy

Kundalini Yoga

A Tantric practice focusing on awakening divine energy within the body.

Samsara

The cycle of reincarnation that keeps the atman (soul) tethered to earthly life.

Moksha

The liberation or release of the soul from the cycle of Samsara.

Problem and Solution

The problem is Samsara (rebirth); the solution is Moksha (spiritual liberation).

Hymn of the Cosmic Man (Purushasukta)

Explains that the universe was created from the primordial sacrifice of one man

Purusha

The primordial man whose body became the universe and the social classes.

Bhagavad Gita

A sacred text in which Krishna explains dharma and devotion to Arjuna; central to Hindu belief.

Vedic vs Contemporary Hinduism

Vedic: priest-led sacrifices and focus on earthly order; Contemporary: personal devotion and focus on moksha and atman.

Puja

“Worship”; the main ritual in Hinduism performed at home

Arti

The waving of lighted lamps before an image of a god during puja

Prasada

Food and water offered to a deity during puja and later shared among devotees as a blessing.

Murti

A sacred image or depiction of a deity used as a focus of worship.

Darshan

The act of seeing and being seen by a deity; receiving divine blessing through viewing a sacred image.

Home Altar

A small shrine in Hindu homes where offerings

Temple Worship

Communal setting where Hindus leave offerings and pray to specific deities.

Vaishnavism

Tradition devoted to Vishnu and his avatars Rama and Krishna; emphasizes dharma and devotion.

Vishnu

Peaceful preserver god with ten avatars

Rama

Avatar of Vishnu known from the Ramayana; represents virtue and duty.

Krishna

Avatar of Vishnu known from the Bhagavad Gita; teaches dharma and devotion.

Shaktism

Worship of the goddess Shakti (Devi)

Parvati

Gentle form of the goddess

Durga

Fierce warrior form of the goddess