World Religions: Hinduism

Five Daily Duties

1. Worshipping God 2. Reciting scripture 3. Honoring parents and elders 4. Helping the poor 5. Feeding animals

Vedas

Ancient texts and songs of Hinduism.

Atman

Atman means the self. Atman is the symbol of Brahman (God).

Auspicious

Auspicious means having good luck and good fortune. Brides wear red clothes and gold jewelry because it is auspicious. It brings good fortune to her marriage. Later, she will mark her forehead with a bindi mark.

Lord Brahma

Brahma is creator of the universe.

Hindu Trinity. Tri means three.

Brahma is the creator of the universe. Shiva is the destroyer and transformer of the universe. Vishnu is the protector of the universe.

Brahmin

Brahmins are priests and academics. They are the highest caste.

Dharma, wheel

Dharma is the law of the universe. The symbol of dharma is a wheel.

Festival of Divali

Divali is the festival of light.

Bhakti

Faith and devotion to a deity (god).

God Ganesha

Ganesha is the god of intellect and wisdom. Ganesha has an elephant head and a human body.

Varna: Caste system

Hindu caste system: Brahmin, Kyshatriya, Vaishya, Shudra

Origins of Hinduism

Hinduism is the oldest religion we study. It started in Persia. The people who lived on the other side of the Indus River were called Sindus. They worshiped a goddess figure. Later, Aryan people from the north travelled to the area. Hinduism has had many changes from different cultures.

Temple

Hindus worship in a temple.

Festival of Holi

Holi is the festival of colour.

Goddess Kali

Kali is the goddess of time and death. She is the colour black.

Lord Krishna

Krishna is an incarnation of Vishnu. He is a human avatar of the god Vishnu, living on earth. He is often shown playing a flute.

Kyshatriya

Kyshatriyas are soldiers and kings.

Lord Vishnu

Lord Vishnu is the protector of the universe.

Om

Om is a sound or vibration. It is also called a mantra and an energy. Om is sounded before prayers, sacrifices and reading vedas.

Goddess Parvati

Parvati is the partner of Shiva. She is the mother of god Gansesha. She is the incarnation of goddess Kali.

Jatis

People are born into jatis, which means tribe or group. Your jati determines the type of job you have as an adult.

Prasada

Prasada is the name of food given to the gods during worship and shared with the devotees.

Goddess Saraswati

Saraswati is the partner of Brahma. She is a river goddess. She is the goddess of learning and music.

Lord Shiva

Shiva is the destroyer and transformer. He is the Lord of change in the universe. Shiva is powerful.

Shudras

Shudras are servants. They are the lowest caste.

The cow

The cow is sacred. Hindu people believe the cow was created by Lord Krishna from his own body. People who follow Hinduism do not eat cow meat.

Samsara

The endless cycle of rebirth. Re means again. Reincarnation means rebirth or birth again. In Hindu religion, people believe that after death, the soul enters another body and lives a new life as a person, animal or spirit.

Swastika

The swastika is an ancient Aryan symbol of good fortune or "well-being".

Vaishyas

Vaishyas are merchants and skilled workers.