Hinduism Fundamental Review

What is the human condition?

Hindus believe humans are caught in samsara: the atman (soul) is condemned to an endless cycle of reincarnation as a result of karma (actions).

• Bad karma has a corrupting effect on the universe

Where are we going?

To a favorable or unfavorable reincarnation after death OR to moksha (liberation from samsara and the consequences of karma)

How do we get there?

Either performing actions pertinent to the dharma (law or teachings) of Hinduism or the to the law or teachings of jati (one’s caste) → that is, the varnasharmadharma (pertinent to higher castes), or following one of the yogic paths

Sacred Texts

• Vedas

• Upanishads

• Mahabharata

• Ramayana

• Puranas

• etc

Is Hinduism the oldest and most complex of the world’s major religions

Yes, and no one founder is known