Hinduism: Beliefs, Dharma, Samsara and Karma

• Hinduism is the third largest religion in the world with around 900 million followers

Key Beliefs of Hinduism

• Hindus believe in the existence of Brahman, a supreme ruler (God)
• Brahman can not be seen, but is everywhere

Dharma

• It refers to the morals and duties of Hindus to live a good life with an emphasis on harmony
• It guides Hindus to make good decisions based on morals and duty to others

Samsara

• Hindus believe in Samsara, the cycle of birth, life, and death
• Incarnation and the effects of current actions on future life are believed in
• Moksha, escaping Samsara, is achieved by following the teachings of Hinduism and living according to the Vedas (Sacred writings)

Karma

• Karma refers to negative and positive actions
• Actions such as charity contributes to karma
• There is good karma
• There is bad karma
• Worship of deities (Gods) is an important part of Hinduism, varying greatly

Main Hindu Gods

• Brahma: Creator with a swan vehicle, four heads, four arms, reddish complexion. Not commonly worshipped. Not to be confused with Brahman or the Brahmin
• Vishnu: Preserver with a garuda (bird) vehicle, four arms, blueish complexion, rests on a snake. Was incarnated nine times with one more to come; the main god of Vaishnavism
• Shiva: Destroyer/Transformer with a bull vehicle, matted hair, third eye, blue throat, and trident. Often worshipped in lingam form; the main god of Saivism

Main Hindu Goddesses (Shaktis)

• Saraswati: Goddess of knowledge, music, and the arts. Vehicle: swan, wife of Brahma, sits on a white lotus playing a veena
• Lakshmi: Goddess of wealth and prosperity. Vehicle: owl, wife of Vishnu. Shown bestowing coins flanked by elephants
• Parvati: Divine Mother with a lion vehicle. Reincarnation of Shiva's first wife. Has many forms like Durga and Kali; often shown with Saraswati and Lakshmi as the tridevi ('triple goddess')

Other Popular Hindu Gods

• Ganesh: God of intellect/remover of obstacles, mouse vehicle, son of Shiva & Parvati, has an elephant's head
• Murugan: God of war with a peacock vehicle, son of Shiva & Parvati. Popular in Tamil areas, also known as Skanda
• Durga: A fiercer form of Parvati with a tiger vehicle and ten arms holding many

Other Popular Hindu Goddesses

• Kali: Goddess of time and death, Vehicle: donkey, portrayed as dark

Festivals

• Diwali (festival of lights)
• Holi
• Navaratri (celebrating fertility and harvest)
• Raksha Bandhan (celebrating the bond between brother and sister)
• Janmashtami (Krishna's birthday)

Worship

• Puja (worship) takes place in the Mandir (temple)
• Mandirs vary in size
• People can visit the Mandir any time to pray and participate in bhajans (religious songs)
• Hindus also worship at home and often have a shrine to particular gods