HINDUISM

THE BRIEF HISTORY, CORE
TEACHING, FUNDAMENTAL BELIEFS

AND PRACTICES, RELATED ISSUES
IN HINDUISM
Represented by: GELLIAN E. SOY
HINDUISM
Hinduism is the world’s
oldest religion, according to
many scholars, with roots
and customs dating back
more than 4,000 years.
Hinduism is the third-largest
religion worldwide, after
Christianity and Islam.
Roughly 94 percent of the
world’s Hindus live in India.
WHAT IS
HINDU?

A Hindu is a person who
believes in the religion called
Hinduism. Many Hindus live
in India. Use the term Hindu
to talk about someone who
follows the teachings and
practices of Hinduism, or
who has a cultural
connection to Hinduism.
BRIEF HISTORY OF
HINDUISM
 Hinduism is one of the oldest religions in the
world, with roots stretching back more than
4,000 years.
 It originated in the Indus Valley Civilization,
which flourished around 2500 BCE in what is
now modern-day Pakistan and northwest India.
 The religion evolved over centuries, absorbing
and influencing various cultures and traditions.
HINDUISM HOLY
BOOKS/SACRED

TEXTS
The Vedas are the religious texts which
inform the religion of Hinduism (also
known as Sanatan Dharma meaning
“Eternal Order” or “Eternal Path”). The
term veda means “knowledge” in that
they are thought to contain the
fundamental knowledge relating to the
underlying cause of, function of, and
personal response to existence.
HINDUISM HOLY
BOOKS/SACRED TEXTS
Vedas
:
THE VEDAS ARE MADE UP
OF:
Rig Veda- It is the earliest form of
Veda
Samaveda- The earliest reference for
singing
Yajurveda- It is also called the book of
prayers
Atharvaveda- The book of magic and
charms
CORE TEACHINGS OF
HINDUISM
Dharma: Refers to one’s duty,
righteousness, and moral law. It is
essential for maintaining harmony in
society and the world.
Karma: The law of cause and effect,
where one’s actions (both good and
bad) in this life will determine one’s
fate in future lives.
Moksha: The ultimate goal of life is
liberation (moksha) from the cycle of
birth, death, and rebirth (samsara).
Achieving moksha means union with
the divine or realization of the true
self.
Atman and Brahman: Atman
refers to the individual soul, while
Brahman is the ultimate,
unchanging reality or cosmic spirit.
Reincarnation (Samsara):
Hindus believe in a cycle of birth,
death, and rebirth, where the soul
passes through many lives until it
attains enlightenment.
FUNDAMENTAL BELIEFS AND
PRACTICES
Polytheism and Monotheism:
Hindus may worship multiple gods
and goddesses, such as Vishnu,
Shiva, Lakshmi, and Saraswati, while
some Hindus see these deities as
manifestations of a single supreme
reality (Brahman).
Worship (Puja): Hindu worship
includes offerings and rituals to
deities, usually conducted at
home or in temples. It involves
prayers, chanting, and
meditation.
THE FOUR PURUSHARTHAS:
THESE ARE THE FOUR MAIN
GOALS OF LIFE:
Dharma: Righteousness and
ethical living.
Artha: Prosperity and success.
Kama: Pleasure and emotional
fulfillment.
Moksha: Spiritual liberation.
Yoga and Meditation: These
practices are central to the spiritual
development of Hindus. Yoga,
particularly, involves physical,
mental, and spiritual exercises to
attain self-realization and unity with
the divine.
THE CASTE SYSTEM OF HINDUISM
FESTIVALS: HINDUISM HAS MANY
IMPORTANT FESTIVALS, SUCH AS:
Diwali: The festival of lights, symbolizing
the victory of light over darkness and
good over evil.
Holi: The festival of colors, celebrating
love and the arrival of spring.
Navaratri: Celebrating the goddess
Durga and her victory over evil.
RELATED ISSUES IN
HINDUISM
Caste Discrimination
Gender Equality
Environmentalism
Modernization vs. Tradition
Hindu Nationalism
Caste Discrimination:
Despite legal reforms, caste-based
discrimination continues to be a
significant issue in parts of India,
especially concerning the treatment
of Dalits (formerly known as
“untouchables”).
Gender Equality:
While Hindu texts offer various views
on women, historically, women have
had limited roles in religious rituals and
social power. However, there has been
progress in women’s empowerment in
modern Hindu society.
Environmentalism:
Many Hindus see nature as sacred
and believe in respecting the
environment. Rivers like the Ganges
are considered holy, though pollution
of these rivers has become a pressing
issue.
Modernization vs. Tradition:
 Hinduism, like other religions, faces
the challenge of balancing ancient
traditions with modern values,
including science, secularism, and
globalization.
Hindu Nationalism: The rise of
Hindutva, a political movement that
promotes Hindu identity in India, has
sparked debates about religious
tolerance, secularism, and the rights
of religious minorities like Muslims
and Christians in India.
THANK
YOU!🙏❤️

HINDUISM

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THE BRIEF HISTORY, CORE

TEACHING, FUNDAMENTAL BELIEFS

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