Hinduism is the world's third most popular religion, with around 750 million followers. The religion of Hinduism originated in Northern India, near the river Indus, about 4000 years ago and is the world's oldest existing religion. The Hindu religion has branched out and now encompasses a wide variety of religious beliefs and organizations.
Hinduism is unique among the world religions in that it has no founder or date of origin. While most major religions derive from new ideas taught by a leader, for example: Siddhartha Gautama and Jesus Christ. Hinduism is simply the religion of the people of India, which has gradually developed over four thousand years. The origins and authors of its sacred texts are largely unknown. Although today's Hinduism differs significantly from earlier forms of Indian religion, Hinduism's roots date back as far as 2000 BC, which makes it one of the oldest surviving religions. Because of its great age, the early history of Hinduism is unclear. The most ancient writings haven't been deciphered yet, so scholars must rely on educated guesses based on archaeology.
The Hindu scriptures refer to celestial entities called Devas "the shining ones", which may be translated into English as "gods" or "heavenly beings". The devas are a part of Hindu culture and are depicted in art, architecture, and mythological stories. They are, however, often distinguished from Ishvara, a supreme personal god. Asuras however are what we call: demons/devils. The Devas are the good guys and the asuras the bad ones.
For many Hindus, religion is a matter of practice rather than of beliefs. It's more what you do, than what you believe. Hindus believe in a universal soul or God called Brahman. Brahman takes on many forms that some Hindus worship as gods or goddesses in their own right (Vishnu, Lakshmi, Shiva, etc).
Hinduism is unique among the world religions in that it has no founder or date of origin. While most major religions derive from new ideas taught by a leader, for example: Siddhartha Gautama and Jesus Christ. Hinduism is simply the religion of the people of India, which has gradually developed over four thousand years. The origins and authors of its sacred texts are largely unknown. Although today's Hinduism differs significantly from earlier forms of Indian religion, Hinduism's roots date back as far as 2000 BC, which makes it one of the oldest surviving religions. Because of its great age, the early history of Hinduism is unclear. The most ancient writings haven't been deciphered yet, so scholars must rely on educated guesses based on archaeology.
The Hindu scriptures refer to celestial entities called Devas "the shining ones", which may be translated into English as "gods" or "heavenly beings". The devas are a part of Hindu culture and are depicted in art, architecture, and mythological stories. They are, however, often distinguished from Ishvara, a supreme personal god. Asuras however are what we call: demons/devils. The Devas are the good guys and the asuras the bad ones.
For many Hindus, religion is a matter of practice rather than of beliefs. It's more what you do, than what you believe. Hindus believe in a universal soul or God called Brahman. Brahman takes on many forms that some Hindus worship as gods or goddesses in their own right (Vishnu, Lakshmi, Shiva, etc).
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Where does the name Hindu come from?
The word "Hindu" comes from the name of the river Indus, which flows
fffffffffffffffffffffff 1800 miles from Tibet through Kashmir and Pakistan to the sea.
What are the practices of Hindus?
The practice of Hinduism consists of rites and ceremonies centering on birth, marriage, and death.
1 Worship-This is an integral part of the faith. Offerings are usually made to representations of the gods.
2 Cremation-The dead are burnt not buried
3 The Caste System-a division of society into groups, each group had rules of conduct to be obeyed.
1 Worship-This is an integral part of the faith. Offerings are usually made to representations of the gods.
2 Cremation-The dead are burnt not buried
3 The Caste System-a division of society into groups, each group had rules of conduct to be obeyed.
What is in the Hindu holy book?
There are many stories and beliefs about Hinduism in the Hindu Holy book.
1. The Upanisads - These consider the nature of the individual soul (Atman) and the universal soul (Brahman.)
2. Ramayana - It is about a Sita (a very beautiful woman) getting kidnapped by a demon but still follows charms, and her husband Rama finally after one year of fighting wins her back. The poem is about how good will always triumph over evil and Rama and Sita are held up as role models for the perfect husband and wife.
3. Mahabharata - A poem telling the story of a war between two families.
4. The Puranas - A collection of ancient tales about the different incarnations and the lives of saints.
-The most famous of these 4 categories is the story Ramayana, a world-wide love story.
1. The Upanisads - These consider the nature of the individual soul (Atman) and the universal soul (Brahman.)
2. Ramayana - It is about a Sita (a very beautiful woman) getting kidnapped by a demon but still follows charms, and her husband Rama finally after one year of fighting wins her back. The poem is about how good will always triumph over evil and Rama and Sita are held up as role models for the perfect husband and wife.
3. Mahabharata - A poem telling the story of a war between two families.
4. The Puranas - A collection of ancient tales about the different incarnations and the lives of saints.
-The most famous of these 4 categories is the story Ramayana, a world-wide love story.
HUH? KARMA? WHAT IS KARMA?
Hindus believe that the soul passes through a cycle of successive lives and its next incarnation is always dependent on how the previous life was lived. Misfortunes in our present life are the result of acts that we have committed in the past. Its destiny or fate, following as effect from cause.
The Three most important Hindu Gods
Brahma
Brahma is also known as: the Creator. For this very reason, Hindus call Lord Brahma the Creator of the universe. He is the first member of the Hindu Trinity that also includes Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. His divine consort is Saraswati, the Goddess of learning and knowledge. Goddess Saraswati provides Lord Brahma with knowledge that is necessary for the process of creation.
Vishnu
Vishnu is also known as: the Preserver. The two front arms signify the lord's activity in the physical world and the two back arms signify his activity in the spiritual world. The right side of the body represents creative activities. The left side symbolizes the activities of the heart, love, kindness, and compassion.
Shiva
Shiva is the Lord of mercy and compassion. He protects devotees from evil forces such as lust, greed, and anger. He grants boons, bestows grace and awakens wisdom in His devotees. Since he has numerous tasks, he cannot be held in only one form.
Pack up you bags, its time to go to a temple to worship gods!
Dhakeshwari National Temple:
Most Hindus worship every day at home and have a shrine there. A shrine can be anything from a room, a small altar or simply pictures or statues. Family members often worship together. At the shrine, Hindus make offerings to a murti. A murti is a sacred stautue of God, or a god or goddess.
The Dhakeshwari National Temple is a famous Hindu temple in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The Dhakeshwari temple was built in the 12th century by Ballal Sen, a king of the Sena dynasty. In 1996, Dhakeshwari Temple was renamed Dhakeshwari Jatiya Mandir (National Temple) reflecting its position as the center of Hindu culture and worship in Bangladesh. researchers say that the temple is also one of the Shakti Peethas, where the "jewel from the crown of the Goddess" had fallen. Since ages, the temple has been held in great importance. Inside the main temple premises, there are four identical structures devoted to Lord Shiva. To the east of these is the main temple, which hosts the statue of the Goddess.The Dhakeshwari Temple was severely damaged during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, and over half of the temple's buildings were destroyed. The main worship hall was taken over by the Pakistan Army and used as an ammunition storage area.
Most Hindus worship every day at home and have a shrine there. A shrine can be anything from a room, a small altar or simply pictures or statues. Family members often worship together. At the shrine, Hindus make offerings to a murti. A murti is a sacred stautue of God, or a god or goddess.
The Dhakeshwari National Temple is a famous Hindu temple in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The Dhakeshwari temple was built in the 12th century by Ballal Sen, a king of the Sena dynasty. In 1996, Dhakeshwari Temple was renamed Dhakeshwari Jatiya Mandir (National Temple) reflecting its position as the center of Hindu culture and worship in Bangladesh. researchers say that the temple is also one of the Shakti Peethas, where the "jewel from the crown of the Goddess" had fallen. Since ages, the temple has been held in great importance. Inside the main temple premises, there are four identical structures devoted to Lord Shiva. To the east of these is the main temple, which hosts the statue of the Goddess.The Dhakeshwari Temple was severely damaged during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, and over half of the temple's buildings were destroyed. The main worship hall was taken over by the Pakistan Army and used as an ammunition storage area.
Things you should probably know!
1. If you ever visit the Dhakeshwari temple, or actually any temple, be sure to wear thin summery clothing. In many Hindu temples, the priests light fire on candles, lamps, pots, etc. They believe that the fire purifies your soul.
2. The Hindu people worship the gods by meditating, or sometimes even yoga.
3. You have to bring offerings for the god/goddess of you own choice.
4. Bring a camera! There are lots of cool things to take pictures of!
2. The Hindu people worship the gods by meditating, or sometimes even yoga.
3. You have to bring offerings for the god/goddess of you own choice.
4. Bring a camera! There are lots of cool things to take pictures of!
REALLY AWESOME PICTURES!!!!!
AN AWESOME MAP THAT SHOWS US: WHERE HINDUISM IS PRACTICED!
HUH? CITATIONS??????
http://hinduism.about.com/od/temples/p/hindutemple101.htm
http://www.mythome.org/RamaSummary.html
http://uwacadweb.uwyo.edu/religionet/er/hinduism/index.htm
http://www.mythome.org/RamaSummary.html
http://uwacadweb.uwyo.edu/religionet/er/hinduism/index.htm
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