Founding Story
Hinduism has no precise beginning nor a founder. The religion was merged together from beliefs of different gods. Hinduism is over 4,000 years old. Hinduism evolved over thousands of years, it was a mixture of religious beliefs of India's earliest civilization and northern invaders around 1700 B.C.. Dravidians and Nagas left artifacts behind. They included clay statue of the gods that Hindus today still worship to. Hinduism is said to be rooted near the Indus River Valley over 6,000 years ago.
Classification:
Hinduism is a polytheistic religion. Although they believe that one Supreme spirit is in everything, there are multiple gods and goddesses that represent aspects of the spirit. Man Hindus worship multiple gods and goddesses .
The caste system classifies all Hindus into their groups.
Brahmins- These were the Hindus at the top of the Caste system. They taught Hindu scriptures, they were either all priests or scholars. They were believed to be the highest honor of all Hindus, because from there could they only reach Nirvana and be one with God. They were highly honored that they were not taxed, restricted to eating only certain foods, drink only water, be the kindest they could be to have positive karma to reach Nirvana. If the Brahmins ever committed a crime the law ordered they have a 64 times the value of what the crime was. Brahmins were considered the "head of Brahma" because these were the people who preached and taught Hinduism. The knowledge of Brahma essentially.
Kshatriyas- This caste was made up of the rulers and warriors. They were believed to have sprung from the "arms of Brahma" , hence their role as fighters. They were allowed to learn but could never teach, or they would be severely punished. They had the knowledge to rule the kingdom.
Vaishyas- This caste consisted of the merchants, traders, craftsmen, etc. Their duties centered around agriculture. They were considered the "legs of Brahma" because benig merchants they kept everything moving like your legs.
Sudras- This is the bottom of the Caste system . These people were thought to be the "feet of Brahma" , hence they were treated as slaves for those in higher caste.
Dalit/Untouchables- Were considered so low that they did not fall into a caste. These were the criminals, street cleaners, and dealing with corpses. They were outcasts. They were never physically hurt, but they were often humiliated and discriminated. Often times , untouchables were those who had been removed of the caste system due to past crimes.
The caste system classifies all Hindus into their groups.
Brahmins- These were the Hindus at the top of the Caste system. They taught Hindu scriptures, they were either all priests or scholars. They were believed to be the highest honor of all Hindus, because from there could they only reach Nirvana and be one with God. They were highly honored that they were not taxed, restricted to eating only certain foods, drink only water, be the kindest they could be to have positive karma to reach Nirvana. If the Brahmins ever committed a crime the law ordered they have a 64 times the value of what the crime was. Brahmins were considered the "head of Brahma" because these were the people who preached and taught Hinduism. The knowledge of Brahma essentially.
Kshatriyas- This caste was made up of the rulers and warriors. They were believed to have sprung from the "arms of Brahma" , hence their role as fighters. They were allowed to learn but could never teach, or they would be severely punished. They had the knowledge to rule the kingdom.
Vaishyas- This caste consisted of the merchants, traders, craftsmen, etc. Their duties centered around agriculture. They were considered the "legs of Brahma" because benig merchants they kept everything moving like your legs.
Sudras- This is the bottom of the Caste system . These people were thought to be the "feet of Brahma" , hence they were treated as slaves for those in higher caste.
Dalit/Untouchables- Were considered so low that they did not fall into a caste. These were the criminals, street cleaners, and dealing with corpses. They were outcasts. They were never physically hurt, but they were often humiliated and discriminated. Often times , untouchables were those who had been removed of the caste system due to past crimes.
Key figures:
Key figures for Hindus are the great spirit Brahman, the Trimurti( Shiva/Siva , Vishnu, and Brahma" .
Along with Brahman , Vishnu is one of the most worshiped gods because it is said and believed that he protects the Earth. He has gone multiple times in different bodies to preserve and protect.
Rama and Krishna ( avatars of Vishnu) are important to the Hindus . Rama represents that good overcomes evil , and Krishna that he is everywhere and represents the cycle of reincarnation. (Krishna is believed to be the god of love)
Some major gods and goddesses:
Ganesha ( god of wisdom)
Shakti ( Mother Goddess , she is the wife of Shiva. Symbolizes earth's fertility )
Lakshmi- (Goddess of wealth and prosperity . Thought to bring good fortune if you worshiped her)
Hanuman ( monkey god, and strength)
Other things/people that Hindus consider important:
Gandhi was a key figure to Hindus because he was Hindu and he won their independence in a nonviolent matter which appealed to the Hinduism role of no violence.
The Ganges river is the holiest river to the Hindus.
Religious Authority:
Hindus do not have one holy book but many various sacred texts; Vedas are four ancient book of hymns that Hindus use to worship(oldest texts ) . HIndu scriptures are made up Shastras ( holy books) . Shruti texts are the earliest holy books, they were revealed to rishis ( were said to have heard the words of Brahman).
Upanishads are separate scriptures ( last part of each Veda) . The four vedas are Rig Veda, Yajur Veda , Sama Veda, and Atharva Veda.
Upanishads are separate scriptures ( last part of each Veda) . The four vedas are Rig Veda, Yajur Veda , Sama Veda, and Atharva Veda.
Core Beliefs:
Hindus believe in one supreme spirit Brahman, who is in multiple living things with life. He is represented by many Gods and goddesses with different characteristics.
There are multiple gods and goddesses in Hinduism. Hindus believe in Dharma, which is the truth , righteousness , law , just and above all duty. Duties are very important to Hindus, they must live their caste in a positive way and fulfill their duties to ,move on into their next life at a higher caste.They also believe in Karma which is a negative or positive energy you develop over your life time and that energy will affect our next life when you are "reborn". Hinduism also teaches Nirvana which is when the reincarnation process ends and you are one with Brahman.
There are multiple gods and goddesses in Hinduism. Hindus believe in Dharma, which is the truth , righteousness , law , just and above all duty. Duties are very important to Hindus, they must live their caste in a positive way and fulfill their duties to ,move on into their next life at a higher caste.They also believe in Karma which is a negative or positive energy you develop over your life time and that energy will affect our next life when you are "reborn". Hinduism also teaches Nirvana which is when the reincarnation process ends and you are one with Brahman.
Beliefs about Afterlife:
Hinduism believes in reincarnation . Souls are reborn into new bodies (any living thing, animal , human, tree , etc.). Each time a person reincarnates he or she moves up or down in the social order. This all depends on how they live, either having positive or negative karma.
Rules/Guidelines for daily life:
Hindus have multiple rituals. Simple things to them are something more meaningful , such ash bathing, eating, and brushing their teeth. Some of he big rituals are marriage death and holidays.
Hinduism is consisted of a caste system. Every person is born into a cast and cannot leave until they pass into their next life. They may be reborn into a higher ranking or a lower ranking depending on their previous life (karma). The caste system is often referred as a ladder. The Caste system is still present today , but not as much as it was long before. Many believed it was unfair.
They believe God is in everything so they should respect every living thing.( they are vegetarian)
Often choose one God to worship, and they worship everyday.
Hinduism is consisted of a caste system. Every person is born into a cast and cannot leave until they pass into their next life. They may be reborn into a higher ranking or a lower ranking depending on their previous life (karma). The caste system is often referred as a ladder. The Caste system is still present today , but not as much as it was long before. Many believed it was unfair.
They believe God is in everything so they should respect every living thing.( they are vegetarian)
Often choose one God to worship, and they worship everyday.
Concept of a higher power:
Brahman is is the the perfect Spirit that is in everything. He is represented by multiple gods and goddesses of characteristics. The three most "important" or worshiped gods are Brahma the creator, Siva the destroyer, and Vishnu the preserver or re-newer.
Key Holidays:
-Diwali a Hindu festival of light ( they believe this will combat the darkness because of the light and good will come from it )Fire is often used in the Diwali Festival because it is a big image and representation of the physical aspect of God.
Holi is another traditional holiday ( festival of colors/ festival of sharing love)
The most popular colors represent:
Red-power
Orange - purity
Green - love
They also celebrate being sister and brother (siblings holiday) Raksha Bandhan. If you do not have a brother you can still celebrate and perform the ritual to a close friend or cousin etc.
Holi is another traditional holiday ( festival of colors/ festival of sharing love)
The most popular colors represent:
Red-power
Orange - purity
Green - love
They also celebrate being sister and brother (siblings holiday) Raksha Bandhan. If you do not have a brother you can still celebrate and perform the ritual to a close friend or cousin etc.
Sites and Symbols:
Cow- This has been a special symbol for Hindus because it is the symbol of all animal life. They believe it is the kind of the animal kingdom ( being a representation of Brahma)
Chakra- symbolizes time, creation, and death
Lotus- symbolizes purity
Conch shell - symbolizes worshipers to destroy ignorance and evil in their lives.
Mace- power ( Vishnu used against his enemies )
Ghana River -Purity and holiest place for Hindus.