2. Where does Hinduism come from?
What does Hindu mean?
Hinduism has no founder, it developed out of
Brahminism.
Aum is the main symbol of Hinduism. It is the
sound heard in deepest meditation and is said to
be the name most suited for God.
The word "Hindu" comes from the name of the river Indus,
which flows 1800 miles from Tibet through Kashmir and
Pakistan to the sea.
3. is the type of Worship
is the temple
is the book of worship
5. HOME AND FAMILY LIFE
Worship at some Hindu family homes takes place in a shrine, where Puja is performed on a daily basis.
Some Hindus see life as consisting of four stages which they should try to achieve in their lifetime:
1. Brahmacharya - Student, encouraged to learn scriptures and educated in order to earn a living
2. Grihastha – House Holder, expected to marry and have children and contribute to society and charity
3. Vanaprastha – Retirement, no longer needs to be concerned about making money, devote more time to
spiritual matters and visit the “Mandir” or temple and “Satsangs” held in Hindu households
4. Saanyas – Renunciation, give up all attachment to the material world
Some Hindus have four aims in life:
1. Dharma – To do their duty
2. Artha – To make wealth
3. Kama – To help others and to fulfill their ambitions
4. Moksha – To not become attached to their success ad gain release from the cycle of rebirth
6. GODS
Some Hindus that Brahman takes many forms and choose to worship a specific god or goddess however other
Hindus believe there are certain gods to help you through different times. Brahman is the universe and everything in
it. Brahman has no form and no limits; it is Reality and Truth.
Saraswati - the Goddess of
Learning
She is worshipped as the goddess
of learning, wisdom, speech, and
music. Hindus offer prayer to
Saraswati before beginning any
intellectual pursuit, and Hindu
students are encouraged to offer
prayers to her during their school
life, and particularly before exams.
Rama
Rama is one of the most
beloved Hindu gods and is
portrayed as an ideal son,
brother, husband, and king.
Ganapati - the Remover of Obstacles
Ganapati (also known as Ganesha) is
Shiva’s first son. Ganesha, who has an
elephant head, occupies a very special
place in the hearts of Hindus because they
consider him the Remover of Obstacles.
Some Hindu households have a picture or
statue of this god in their homes.
7. GODS CONTINUED…
Lakshmi
Lakshmi is the goddess of good fortune, wealth, and well-being.
Hindus often associate Lakshmi with the festival of Diwali, as
people start the new business year with Diwali and some Hindus
will say prayers to the goddess for a successful year. Some people
build small altars to the goddess and decorate it with money and
with pictures of the rewards of wealth such a cars and houses.
Krishna
Hindus identify Krishna as the teacher of the sacred scripture called
the Bhagavad Gita. Krishna is a delight and is the embodiment of love
and divine joy. Janmashtami commemorates the earthly appearance of
Krishna and is one of the biggest religious festivals in the world with it
being celebrated by nine hundred and thirty million people around the
world. Krishna reciprocates in unique, personal ways with every
devotee who offers him love.
