Acquisition Of New Knowledge PDF

(After students’ sharing, the teacher will process the activity and connects to the content of the lesson.) ACQUISITION OF NEW KNOWLEDGE I. Origin of the Concept of Religion and Definition A. Etymology of Religion -Religion is derived from the Latin word ‘religio’. However, its ex...

(After students’ sharing, the teacher will process the activity and connects to the content of the lesson.) ACQUISITION OF NEW KNOWLEDGE I. Origin of the Concept of Religion and Definition A. Etymology of Religion -Religion is derived from the Latin word ‘religio’. However, its exact meaning in Latin is somewhat elusive. In ancient Rome, "religio" was used to describe various forms of reverence, rituals, and observances. It could refer to a sense of moral obligation or a careful consideration of divine matters. -The definition of religion by Cicero, a Roman philosopher and statesman is cultum deorum, “the proper performance of rites in veneration of the gods.” -Modern Scholars such as Tom Harpur and Joseph Campbell favour the derivation from ligare “bind, connect”, probably from a prefixed re- ligare, i.e. re (again) + ligare or “to reconnect”, which was made prominent by St. Augustine. -In ancient and medieval world, Latin root “religio” was understood as an individual virtue of worship, never as a doctrine, practice or actual source of knowledge. Furthermore, religio referred to broad social obligations to family, neighbors, rulers and even towards God. -When religio came into English around the 1200’s as religion, it took the meaning of “life bound by monastic vows”. -The concept of religion was first used in the 1500s to distinguish the domain of the church and the domain of civil authorities. -Sacred texts like the Bible, the Quran and the others did not have a word or even concept of religion in the original languages and neither did the people or the cultures in which these sacred texts were written. -In Hebrew and Judaism does not distinguish clearly between religious, national, racial and ethnic identities. One of its central concepts is halakha, meaning the “walk” or “path” sometimes translated as “law”, which guides religious practice and belief and many aspects of life. The Greek word “threskia, was used by Greek writers such as Herodotus and Josephus, is found in the New Testament. Threskia is sometimes translated as “religion” in today’s translations. -In Quran the Arabic word din (law) is often translated as “religion”. -The Sanskrit word dharma, sometimes translated as “religion” also means law. -The modern concept of religion as abstraction that entails distinct sets of beliefs or doctrines, is a recent invention in the English language since such usage began with texts from the 17 th century due to the 2 | Page  splitting of Christendom during the Protestant reformation and the globalization in the age of exploration which involved contact with numerous foreign cultures with non-European languages. -It was in the 19th century that the terms “Buddhism”, “Hinduism”, Taoism”, “Confucianism”, and “World religions” first emerged. B. Definition of Religion There is no final definition of religion, even though many have tried and still tries to define religion. Religion is a modern Western concept. There is no equivalent term for “religion” in many languages. Many scholars have expressed reservations about defining the “essence” of religion. According to MacMillan Encyclopedia of Religions, the attempt to define religion is due to a natural consequence of the Western speculative, intellectualistic, and scientific disposition. It is also the product of the dominant Western religious mode, what is called Judeo-Christian climate, or more accurately, the theistic inheritance from Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Classical Definitions 1. Friedrich Schleiermacher (18th century)- defined religion as das schlechthinnige Abhängigkeitsgefül, commonly translated as “the feeling of absolute dependence”. Schleiermacher's definition suggests that at the core of religion is a deeply ingrained emotional and spiritual sensation of being entirely dependent on something greater than oneself, often interpreted as the divine, the sacred, or a higher power. This feeling of absolute dependence is seen as a fundamental aspect of human religious experience and connection to the transcendent. 2. Georg Wilhelm Hegel- defined religion as “Divine Spirit becoming conscious of Himself through the finite spirit.” Hegel's definition proposes that religion involves a dynamic process wherein the Divine Spirit achieves self-consciousness through the experiences and awareness of individual human beings. This concept emphasizes the interplay between the divine and human realms, suggesting that religion serves as a medium through which the Divine Spirit gains self-awareness and expression through finite, individual human spirits. 3. Edward Taylor (1871)- defined religion as “the belief in spiritual beings.” Taylor's definition conveys that religion involves holding convictions or faith in the existence of spiritual beings—entities that are beyond the realm of the ordinary and are often associated with the divine or sacred. This belief in spiritual beings is a central aspect of many religious systems and serves as a foundation for rituals, practices, and interactions with the divine realm. 4. William James (psychologist)- defined religion as “the feelings, acts, and experiences of individual men in their solitude, so far as they apprehend themselves to stand in relation to whatever they may consider the divine”. By the term divine James meant “any object that is godlike, whether it be a concrete deity or not” to which the individual feels impelled to respond with solemnity and gravity. 3 | Page 5. Paul Tillich (theologian)- faith is “state of being ultimately concerned”, which “is itself religion. Religion is the substance, the ground and the depth of man’s spiritual life.” Tillich's definition suggests that faith is a deep existential orientation toward ultimate concerns, and religion encompasses and embodies this faith by providing the very substance, foundation, and profound depth of human spiritual life. Modern Definitions 1. Clifford Geertz (anthropologist)- defined religion as a system of symbols which acts to establish powerful, pervasive and long-lasting moods and motivations in men by formulating conceptions of a general order of existence and clothing these conceptions with such an aura of factuality that the moods seem uniquely realistic.” 2. Antoine Vergote(theologian)- emphasized the ‘cultural reality’ of religion which he defines as the entirety of linguistic expressions, emotions and emotions and, actions and signs that refer to a supernatural being and supernatural beings. This idea helps us understand how religion is woven into the fabric of cultures and societies, shaping how people interact with the divine. 3. Peter Mandaville and Paul James- defined religion as a relatively-bounded system of beliefs, symbols and practices that addresses the nature of existence, and in which communion with others and Otherness(something beyond the ordinary) is lived as if it both takes in and spiritually transcends socially-grounded ontologies of time, space, embodiment and knowing. In essence, the definition underscores that religion is a structured system of beliefs, symbols, and practices that addresses profound questions about existence. It involves connections with both others and something beyond the ordinary, going beyond typical social understandings to explore fundamental aspects of life and spirituality. II. Origins of Religion and Religious Organizations A. Origins and Development Historically speaking, ten thousands of years ago, humans lived in isolated groups. They depended on their environments to live. (i.e., hunting and gathering. Spiritual beliefs existed as a way to explain the natural world and its wonders. Prehistoric people had indigenous (or native cultures and lifestyles that were unique to their location in the world. Some of these cultures still exist today in remote areas of the world. Hunting Rituals Hunting rituals expressed a reverence and respect for cultures that were killed for survival. Early Gods and Goddesses 4 | Page  Eventually people created gods and goddesses to represent these forces. The most important god was the Earth Mother. People were polytheistic (the belief in many gods). Shamanism Belief centered on an individual called a shaman who acted as a spiritual leader of a community. They offered prayers for things people needed, and used magic to cure the sick, control of events, etc. Monuments People began building monuments to the deceased(dead) and for ritual purposes. Civilization and Religion Agriculture allowed large communities to develop and stay in the same location. As civilization developed, religion became more complex to meet the society’s needs. The development of religion has taken different forms in different cultures. Religious Tradition Begins Writing allowed people to pass down their spiritual beliefs more easily. Revolutionary thinkers began to shape some of the major religions during this time. Shifts in Religious Thinking Religion begins to put emphasis on explaining human existence. It starts to express the human relationship to the divine (gods or spirits). Rituals and sacrifice become less important in religious behavior. Monotheism begins (the idea of having only one god). It begins to teach that humans are special and are elevated above other creatures. Charismatic Individuals According to anthropologist John Monaghan and Peter Just, “Many of the great world religions appear to have begun as revitalization movements of some sort, as the charismatic prophet fires the imaginations of people seeking a more comprehensive answer to their problems than they feel is provided by everyday beliefs. Charismatic individuals have emerged at many times and places in the world. It seems that the key to long-term success – and many movements come and go with little long-term effect – has relatively little to do with the prophets, who appear with surprising regularity, but more to do with the development of a group of supporters who are able to institutionalize the movement.” Spread of Religion Religion spreads through a variety of mechanisms, including cultural diffusion, trade routes, conquests, migration, missionary efforts, and technological advancements. Cultural interactions between societies often lead to the exchange of religious ideas and practices, causing religions to spread to new regions. In the past, these two key factors played an important role for the disperse of religion (1) travel and migration, and (2) missionaries. Trade and travel facilitate the sharing of beliefs, while conquests and migrations can introduce religions to different populations. 5 | Page Missionaries actively promote their faith, and advancements in communication, such as books and digital media, enable the rapid dissemination of religious teachings. Overall, the spread of religion is a complex interplay of human interactions, historical events, and communication methods. B. Religious Organizations Religions organize themselves—their institutions, practitioners, and structures—in a variety of fashions. For instance, when the Roman Catholic Church emerged, it borrowed many of its organizational principles from the ancient Roman military and turned senators into cardinals, for example. Sociologists use different terms, like ecclesia, denomination, and sect, to define these types of organizations. Scholars are also aware that these definitions are not static. Most religions transition through different organizational phases. For example, Christianity began as a cult, transformed into a sect, and today exists as an ecclesia. 1. Cults, like sects, are new religious groups. In the United States today this term often carries pejorative connotations. However, almost all religions began as cults and gradually progressed to levels of greater size and organization. In its pejorative use, these groups are often disparaged as being secretive, highly controlling of members’ lives, and dominated by a single, charismatic leader. Some groups that are controversially labeled as cults today include the Church of Scientology and the Hare Krishna movement. 2. A sect is a small and relatively new group. Most of the well-known Christian denominations in the United States today began as sects. For example, the Methodists and Baptists protested against their parent Anglican Church in England, just as Henry VIII protested against the Catholic Church by forming the Anglican Church. From “protest” comes the term Protestant. When membership in a sect increases over time, it may grow into a denomination. Established sects, such as the Amish or Jehovah’s Witnesses fall halfway between sect and denomination on the ecclesia–cult continuum because they have a mixture of sect-like and denomination-like characteristics. 3. A denomination is a large, mainstream religious organization, but it does not claim to be official or state sponsored. It is one religion among many. For example, Baptist, African Methodist Episcopal, Catholic, and Seventh-day Adventist are all Christian denominations. 4. The term ecclesia, originally referring to a political assembly of citizens in ancient Athens, Greece, now refers to a congregation. In sociology, the term is used to refer to a religious group that most all members of a society 6 | Page belong to. It is considered a nationally recognized, or official, religion that holds a religious monopoly and is closely allied with state and secular powers. III. Aspects of Religion A. Beliefs Traditionally, faith in addition to reason, has been considered as a source of religious beliefs. The interplay between faith and reason, and their use as actual or perceived support for religious beliefs, have been a subject of interest to philosophers and theologians. 1. Mythology Mythology plays a crucial role in many belief systems. While myths themselves are not necessarily religious practices, they often provide the foundation for religious beliefs and rituals. Mythology can explain the creation of the world, the relationships between gods and humans, the origins of customs and traditions, and the reasons behind religious rituals. In some cases, mythological figures may be revered as deities, and their stories can guide religious practices and moral values. 2. Worldview Religions have sacred histories, narratives, and mythologies which may be preserved in sacred scriptures, and symbols and holy places, that aim to explain the meaning of life, the origin of or the Universe. B. Practices The practices of a religion may include rituals, sermons, commemoration, or veneration (of a deity, gods or goddesses), sacrifices, festivals, feasts, trances, initiations, funerary services, matrimonial services, meditation, prayer, music, art, dance, public service or other aspects of human culture. C. Social Organization Religions have a societal basis, either as a living tradition which is carried by lay participants, or with an organized clergy, and a definition of what constitutes adherence or membership. IV. Types of Religion Scholars across diverse fields have endeavored to categorize religions. A commonly embraced classification that aids in comprehending distinct belief systems involves examining the objects or beings of worship, if any. By applying this categorization approach, religions can be grouped into fundamental classifications. 7 | Page ASSIGNMENT Instruction: Develop an innovative digital concept map illustrating the fundamental concepts of religion as comprehended from the discussion. Evaluation Criteria: Relevance of Content: 40 points Creativity: 40 points Organization and Clarity of Ideas: 20 points Total: 100 points ASSESSMENT Quiz REFERENCES  Howard, C. (2018). World Religions. ED-Tech Press.  World Religions. https://courses.lumenlearning.com/sociology/chapter/world-religions/ 8 | Page CLASSIFICATIO NS OF RELIGION 1 CAPSOUL OF THE SESSION 4  BUDDHISM Buddhism is one of the world’s largest religions and originated 2,500 years ago in India. Buddhists believe that the human life is one of suffering, and that meditation, spiritual and physical labor, and good behavior are the ways to achieve enlightenment, or nirvana. 5 Buddhism is a religion that emphasizes personal spiritual liberation. 6 Buddhism has its roots from the life of Buddha and his teachings. 7  Learning Describe Buddha’s life and teachings. Objectives Enumerate the Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path. Identify the major elements and characteristics of Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism and the places where they spread. 8  Nature of Buddhism nontheistic – does not involve a belief in an eternal god focused on ethics and self- understanding to attain salvation 9 Life of Buddha Buddhism began in India in the 6th or 5th century BCE founded by a Hindu prince, Siddhartha Gautama 10  Life of Buddha Early Life miraculous birth prophecy to become either a great ruler or a holy man grew up in luxury to discourage him from seeking the religious path 11 Life of Buddha Early Life encountered the “four sights” ○ an old man ○ a sick man ○ a dead man ○ a holy man 12 Life of Buddha Early Life Great Departure/ Great Renunciation He abandoned his family and royal duties in search of spiritual 13  Life of Buddha Search for Enlightenment practiced asceticism and extreme fasting meditation under a sacred Bodhi tree enlightenment and becoming the Buddha (the Awakened One) 14 Life of Buddha Teachings and Later Life first sermon and teachings (dharma) the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path establishment of the sangha and his followers preached in Northern India 15 Core Teachings of Buddhism 16 Core Teachings of Buddhism The Eightfold Path (the “Middle Way”) 17 Explor The Two e Buddhism s 19  The Two Buddhisms Explor e 1. Examine the spread of Buddhism using the map on the next slide. 2. Identify the countries that were reached by Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism. 3. Write your answers on the table following the map. 20  Sacred Texts of Theravada Buddhists Tripitaka (“three baskets”) Pali Canon palm leaves Three main sections: ○ vinaya-pitaka (“Basket of Discipline”), which contains the rule governing the monastic order ○ sutra-pitaka (“Basket of Discourse”), which contains the Buddha’s sermons ○ abhidharma-pitaka (“Basket of Special [Further] Doctrine”), which contains doctrinal systematizations and summaries. 25  Theravada Buddhism Emperor Ashoka and the spread of Buddhism Theravada (“teaching of the elders”) oldest existing sect of Buddhism conservative and emphasizes the concept of arhat meditation and full monastic life 26  Theravada Buddhism Theravada Buddhists are conservative, acknowledging Siddhartha as the only Buddha and believing that enlightenment only comes to those who practice monastic life. Theravada is the dominant religion in Sri Lanka and the peninsular Southeast Asian countries of Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos. 27 Mahayana Buddhism is one of the major Buddhist schools, along with Theravada and Vajrayana. 28 Mahayana Buddhism is known as the “great vehicle” as it gained tremendous appeal to the ordinary people. 29 Mahayana refers to the path of Bodhisattva to attain enlightenment and help all human beings from sufferings and pain. 30 Mahayana Buddhism started in North India established stability in China spread out through other territories like Korea and Japan that maintain its existence until the present 31 Mahayana Buddhism As it gained support from other countries, it continuously died in its birthplace. - a series of invasions in India - the rise of other religions like Islam 32  Sacred Texts of Mahayana Buddhists Sutras set rules in Sanskrit literature-based on law or philosophy became influential because of its teaching that all people can equally attain “Buddha- nature” or enlightenment 33 Sacred Texts of Mahayana Buddhists Sutra Description Lotus Sutra contains various traditions of Mahayana Buddhism such as concepts concerning the Trikaya, Bodhisattva, and Nirvana Trikaya Buddha has three bodies; Bodhisattva someone who postponed his or her entry into the state of nirvana to help others achieve enlightenment Nirvana state of liberation from the cycle of death and rebirth 34  Sacred Texts of Mahayana Buddhists Sutra Description Heart Sutra part of Perfection Wisdom of Sutra containing short pieces of Buddhist key concepts in Mahayana perspectives such as nirvana, total emptiness, and ultimate reality Land of Bliss Sutras contains the teachings of Amitabha Buddha, the celestial or heavenly Buddha shows people can enter an ideal world 35 Sacred Texts of Mahayana Buddhists Secondary Mahayana texts were written by Nagarjuna, an early Buddhist thinker. The writings focus on interpreting the Sutra of Perfection of Wisdom that elaborates the concept of emptiness. 36  General Features of Mahayana Buddhism God: Nontheistic Buddha himself emphasized that he is not a god. Buddhists do not focus on belief in gods and goddesses but centers on ethics and morality. 38  General Features of Mahayana Buddhism Establishment Mahayana Buddhism originated in Northern India. It is widespread in China, Tibet, Mongolia, Japan, and Korea. 39  General Features of Mahayana Buddhism Followers The largest number of its practitioners is in China. Mahayana schools and sub-schools are firmly rooted in China, Taiwan, Japan, and Korea. 40 General Features of Mahayana Buddhism Mahayana Buddhism gained popularity among Asians because of the openness of their traditions. Even an ordinary person can achieve spiritual liberation. 41 HINDUISM 1 The Hindu religion is characterized by religious practices such as the worship of many gods and sacred texts. 2 Worshiping gods in temples is one of the trademarks of the Hindu religion. 3  Understand how the Hindu religion was Learning established and who its first followers Objectives were. Identify the Hindu sacred texts such as the Vedas, Upanishads, and the Bhagavad-Gita. Explain the key elements of the Hindu religion and its other features. 4  God in a Million Explor e 1. Look at the pictures of the Hindu gods presented on the next slides. 2. Analyze each picture and identify who these gods are. Also, take note of the actions they are doing in each picture and the objects that surround them. 3. As a clue, refer to the box where the names of the Hindu gods and short descriptions are found. 5  God in a Million Explor e Lakshmi Brahma (the (the God Goddess of Creator) Wealth and Purity) Ganesh Shiva (the (the God Elephant Destroyer) God) Hanuman Vishnu (the Monkey (the God God) Preserver) 6  God in a Million Explor e Lakshmi Brahma (the (the God Goddess of Creator) Wealth and Purity) Ganesh Shiva (the (the God Elephant Destroyer) God) Hanuman Vishnu (the Monkey (the God God) Preserver) 7  God in a Million Explor e Lakshmi Brahma (the (the God Goddess of Creator) Wealth and Purity) Ganesh Shiva (the (the God Elephant Destroyer) God) Hanuman Vishnu (the Monkey (the God God) Preserver) 8  God in a Million Explor e Lakshmi Brahma (the (the God Goddess of Creator) Wealth and Purity) Ganesh Shiva (the (the God Elephant Destroyer) God) Hanuman Vishnu (the Monkey (the God God) Preserver) 9  God in a Million Explor e Lakshmi Brahma (the (the God Goddess of Creator) Wealth and Purity) Ganesh Shiva (the (the God Elephant Destroyer) God) Hanuman Vishnu (the Monkey (the God God) Preserver) 10  God in a Million Explor e Lakshmi Brahma (the (the God Goddess of Creator) Wealth and Purity) Ganesh Shiva (the (the God Elephant Destroyer) God) Hanuman Vishnu (the Monkey (the God God) Preserver) 11  The Hindu Religion and Its Origin Hinduism a polytheistic religion that involves the worship of several gods, particularly Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva 16  The Hindu Religion and Its Origin Hinduism originated in the Indus Valley between 2300 and 1500 BCE believed to have been the result of the fusion of the beliefs of the Indo-Aryans and the natives of the Indus Valley 18 The Hindu Religion and Its Origin Indo-Aryans migrated to the Indus Valley and blended their language and culture with those of living in the valley brought with them the Sanskrit language and their religion which consisted of hymns, myths, and oral history 19 Hindu Sacred Texts Sacred Texts Vedas Writers often consider -contains the literary record of Hinduism as "a way of the Indo-Aryan life" or "a family of civilization and the teachings of religions" rather than a all aspects of single religion. life 21  Hindu Sacred Texts Vedas contain the academic record of the Indo-Aryan civilization and the teachings of all aspects of life mean “wisdom and knowledge of vision” 22  Hindu Sacred Texts Vedas manifest the language of the gods in human speech signify the highest religious authority for all aspects of Hinduism 23  Hindu Sacred Texts Vedas comprised of four parts: Samhitas Brahmanas Aranyakas Upanishads 24  Hindu Sacred Texts The four parts of the Vedas Part Description Samhitas consisted of hymns of praise to God and are the most ancient part of the Vedas Brahmanas rituals and prayers that guide priests in their duties Aranyakas centered on worship and meditation Upanishads comprised of the mystical and philosophical teachings of Hinduism 25  Hindu Sacred Texts The four classifications of the Samhitas Part Description Rig Veda a collection of inspired songs or hymns and is the primary source of information on the Rig Vedic civilization Sama Veda purely a liturgical collection of melodies or saman Yajur Veda a liturgical collection and made to meet the demands of a ceremonial religion Atharva Veda contains hymns of a more diverse character than the Rig Veda and are also more straightforward in language 26 Hindu Sacred Texts Vedas The Nasadiya Sukta (Hymn of Creation) is one of the most well-received portions of the Rig Veda, it talks about how the universe was created in a contemplative tone. 27  Hindu Sacred Texts Upanishads one of the four genres that constitute the Vedas speculate on the ontological connection between humanity and the cosmos 28  Hindu Sacred Texts Upanishads also referred to as the Vedanta or the concluding part of the Vedas serve as the founda- tional texts in the theological discourses of many Hindu traditions 29  Hindu Sacred Texts Upanishads present a vision of an interconnected universe with a single, unifying principle behind the obvious diversity in the cosmos 30 Hindu Sacred Texts Upanishads mean “connection” or “equivalence” the homology between aspects of the human individual and heavenly beings or forces 31 Hindu Sacred Texts Upanishads teach that Brahman lives in the atman, which is the unchanging center of an individual were taught to those who sat down beside their teachers (upa=near, ni=down, 32  Hindu Sacred Texts Bhagavad Gita the most popular religious poem of Sanskrit literature probably the most influential work in Indian thought draws its inspiration from the Upanishads 33  Hindu Sacred Texts Bhagavad Gita takes the form of a dialogue between Prince Arjuna and Krishna, an avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu Krishna explained the different Yogic and Vedatic philosophies and the more significant idea of dharma or universal harmony and 34  Hindu Sacred Texts Bhagavad Gita contained in the Bhishma-Parva of the Mahabharata incorporates various beliefs and teachings, history, mythology, politics, philosophy, theology, and law 35 Hindu Deities Hinduism features 33 million gods and goddesses. There are only three central gods in the Hindu religion and others are merely avatars or manifestations of these central gods. Each avatar has specific qualities, powers, and roles in the workings of the universe. 36  Hindu Deities Brahma the creator of the universe the embodiment of intellect and present as one in all human beings 37  Hindu Deities Vishnu the preserver of the universe considered a supreme god and forms part of the Trimurti with Brahma and Shiva 38  Hindu Deities Shiva the destroyer of the universe considered a supreme god and forms part of the Trimurti with Brahma and Vishnu 39  Hindu Deities The Trimurti means “three forms” the triad of Hinduism’s major deities: Shiva (left), Vishnu (center), and Brahma (right) 40  Hindu Deities Lakshmi popular in Indian households and is worshiped everywhere the eternal consort of Vishnu and is looked upon as the goddess of wealth 41  Hindu Deities Parvati the wife of Shiva and is considered the primordial force that keeps the universe from falling apart looked upon by Hindus as a loving mother 42 Other Features of the Hindu Religion Moksha experiential element of Hinduism liberation from samsara, which is the endless cycle of reincarnation and rebirth 43 Other Features of the Hindu Religion Monism a Hindu doctrine stating that all the things in the universe are made up only of one essence: the Brahman the central teaching of Hinduism and is the basis of the goal of the faith 44 Other Features of the Hindu Religion Dharma an essential term in Indian religions means duty, virtue, morality, even religion refers to the power which sustains the universe and society 45 Other Features of the Hindu Religion Puja the ritual performed by Hindus when worshiping a deity involves lighting incense, making offerings of things such as fruits and flowers, and other rituals Worship is directed at a small shrine to the deities. 46  Hinduism is a polytheistic religion that involves Wrap- the worship of several gods, particularly Up Brahma, Shiva, and Vishnu, who are considered the principal gods. Hinduism is believed to have been the result of the fusion of the beliefs of the Indo-Aryans. They came from Central Asia and that of the original inhabitants of the Indus Valley. The Vedas contain the academic records of the Indo-Aryan civilization and the teachings of all aspects of life. 53  The Upanishads are one of the four genres Wrap- that constitute the Vedas and speculate on Up humanity's ontological connection and the cosmos. The Bhagavad Gita integrates elements of the Vedic sacrifice, Upanishadic teaching of Absolute Brahman, the Bhāgavata theism, the Samkhya dualism, and Yoga meditation. There are only three central gods in the Hindu religion and others are merely avatars or manifestations of these central gods. 54  Some of the general features of Hinduism that Wrap- makes it unique from the other religions are th Up following: ○ Moksha: the experiential element of Hinduism ○ Monism: the Hindu doctrine states that all the things in the universe are made up only of one essence: the Brahman ○ Dharma: the power which sustains the universe and society ○ Puja: the ritual performed by Hindus when worshiping a deity 55