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Hinduism: History, Beliefs, and Terms


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History of Hinduism

Hinduism dates back to

3,000 or more years

The word "Hindu" isderived from the name ofRiver Indus, which flows

through northwesternIndia


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Beliefs of Hinduism

Hinduism is a diversereligion practicedprimarily in India.

There is variation in localpractices and the worshipof particular deities

However, there are centraltenants that unify it as onereligion.


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Basic Beliefs

The authority of the Vedas (theoldest Indian sacred texts)

Brahmans (priests);

Existence of an enduring soul thattransmigrates from one body toanother at death (reincarnation);

Law of karma that determines one'sdestiny both in this life and thenext.


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Brahman: The Life Force

Brahman - the underlying universallife force that encompasses andembodies existence.

The highest goal of Hinduism isliberation from the karmic cycle ofdeath and rebirth.

Being stuck in the karmic cyclemeans you are ignorant of your trueself as one with Brahman, accordingto Hindu scriptures.


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Hindu Paradoxes

Siva is simultaneously thecreator, maintainer, anddestroyer of life

Vedic medicine teachesthat keeping theseopposing forces in balanceis central to themaintenance of bodily,social, and cosmic well-being


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A Way of Life

Encompasses family, society,politics, business, art, and health

behaviors

Family life is considered a sacredduty

Most households have a shrine to a

particular deity

Women conduct a householdpuja,the offering of fruit, raw rice,flowers, incense, and other items tothe deity, on a regular basis


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A Way of Life

After the food has been offered it is

considered to have been spirituallyconsumed and blessed by the deity'spower

It is then redistributed andconsumed by the participants as a

way of receiving the deity'sblessings

Visitors may be invited to join thepuja on occasion


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Caste System

The belief that one's karmadetermines one's birth in the nextlife has supported the structure ofthe caste system in India, made up

of four varnas that determine one'soccupation


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Four Occupations

Brahmins (priests)

Kshatriyas (nobles and warriors)

Vaishyas (commoners)

Sudras (servants).


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Connection with Hinduism


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Avatar

A term used in Hindu religion to indicate the incarnation ofa deity. Avatara is a Sanskrit word meaning "descent," and

the Hindu gods take on animal or human form in differentages for thewelfare of the world. In Hindu mythology, thegod Brahma(originally known as the creator Prajapati)became successively incarnated as a boar, a tortoise, and afish, to assist the development of the world in prehistory.

"Avatar." Encyclopedia of Occultism and Parapsychology. 2001.Encyclopedia.com. 2 Mar. 2010 .
http://www.encyclopedia.com/http://www.encyclopedia.com/http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3403800447.htmlhttp://www.encyclopedia.com/http://www.encyclopedia.com/http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3403800447.htmlhttp://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3403800447.html


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Hindu Terms

Pj"Respect, homage,worship." The offering offood, flowers, incense, and

other items to a deity.Often the food will bedistributed and consumedafterword and is thoughtto impart the goodwill of

the deity.

Yoga"Yoking, joining."The path to liberationfrom samsara through

focusing the mind toexperience higher states ofconsciousness.

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