Hinduism Origins and Core Beliefs

Origins and History

• Hinduism originated in the Indian subcontinent over 4,000 years ago
• Roots in the Vedic period (1500 BCE - 500 BCE) and the Indus Valley Civilization
• Evolved over time through the Upanishadic period (800 BCE - 400 BCE) and the Puranic period (400 BCE - 1500 CE)

Core Beliefs

• Brahman: the ultimate reality and unchanging essence of the universe
• Atman: the individual self or soul
• Moksha: liberation from the cycle of rebirth and death (samsara) through realization of the true nature of Brahman and Atman
• Karma: the concept of cause and effect, where actions have consequences in this life and the next
• Reincarnation: the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth (samsara) until achieving moksha

Deities

• Trimurti: the three primary aspects of Brahman
  • Brahma: the creator
  • Vishnu: the preserver
  • Shiva: the destroyer
• Avatars: incarnations of Vishnu, including Rama and Krishna
• Devi: the divine feminine, worshipped as a goddess or consort of the gods

Scriptures

• Vedas: the oldest and most sacred texts, consisting of the Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda, and Atharvaveda
• Upanishads: philosophical texts that explore the nature of Brahman and Atman
• Puranas: texts that contain mythological stories, legends, and historical accounts
• Bhagavad Gita: a part of the Mahabharata, considered a sacred text that teaches spiritual values

Practices and Rituals

• Puja: worship and offerings to deities, often performed at home or in temples
• Yoga: physical, mental, and spiritual practices aimed at self-realization
• Dharma: the concept of righteous living, including duties, laws, and social norms
• Samskaras: rites of passage, such as birth, initiation, marriage, and death
• Festivals: celebrations and observances, like Diwali, Holi, and Navaratri

Origins and History

• Hinduism originated in the Indian subcontinent over 4,000 years ago
• It has roots in the Vedic period (1500 BCE - 500 BCE) and the Indus Valley Civilization
• The religion evolved over time through the Upanishadic period (800 BCE - 400 BCE) and the Puranic period (400 BCE - 1500 CE)

Core Beliefs

• Brahman is the ultimate reality and unchanging essence of the universe
• Atman is the individual self or soul
• Moksha is the liberation from the cycle of rebirth and death (samsara) through realization of the true nature of Brahman and Atman
• Karma is the concept of cause and effect, where actions have consequences in this life and the next
• Reincarnation is the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth (samsara) until achieving moksha

Deities

• Trimurti represents the three primary aspects of Brahman: Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva
• Brahma is the creator, Vishnu is the preserver, and Shiva is the destroyer
• Avatars are incarnations of Vishnu, including Rama and Krishna
• Devi is the divine feminine, worshipped as a goddess or consort of the gods

Scriptures

• Vedas are the oldest and most sacred texts, consisting of the Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda, and Atharvaveda
• Upanishads are philosophical texts that explore the nature of Brahman and Atman
• Puranas are texts that contain mythological stories, legends, and historical accounts
• Bhagavad Gita is a part of the Mahabharata, considered a sacred text that teaches spiritual values

Practices and Rituals

• Puja is worship and offerings to deities, often performed at home or in temples
• Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual practice aimed at self-realization
• Dharma is the concept of righteous living, including duties, laws, and social norms
• Samskaras are rites of passage, such as birth, initiation, marriage, and death
• Festivals are celebrations and observances, like Diwali, Holi, and Navaratri