Christianity Introduction PDF

Sir John Introduction to world Religions and Belief Systems 1 Abrahamic Religions Christianity Monothei...

Sir John Introduction to world Religions and Belief Systems 1 Abrahamic Religions Christianity Monotheistic Population: 2.6 Billion [as of 2023] Place of Origin: Judea (present-day Middle east) Founder: Jesus Christ Symbols:✟Cross, Fish Sacred Scriptures: The Holy Bible Christianity is a monotheistic Abrahamic religion that centers on the life, teachings, and beliefs associated with Jesus Christ, who is considered by Christians to be the Son of God and the savior of humanity. It is one of the world's major religions, with over two billion followers worldwide, making it the largest religion globally. Historical Background Christianity's origins are intimately tied to the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Jesus was born in Bethlehem and raised in Nazareth, both in the Roman province of Judea. He began his public ministry around the age of 30, preaching a message of love, repentance, and the Kingdom of God. Jesus' teachings, as recorded in the New Testament of the Bible, included parables, ethical teachings (e.g., the Sermon on the Mount), and claims of his divine nature. He also performed numerous miracles, which attracted followers and garnered attention Jesus was arrested, tried, and crucified by Roman authorities in Jerusalem, likely around 30-33 CE. Christians believe that he was resurrected from the dead three days after his crucifixion, a central event in Christian theology. After Jesus' resurrection, his disciples and followers, known as apostles, continued to spread his teachings. The apostle Paul, in particular, played a significant role in the early expansion of Christianity through his missionary journeys and letters (epistles) to various Christian communities. Christian communities began to form in various parts of the Roman Empire, including Jerusalem, Antioch, Alexandria, and Rome. These communities gathered for worship, shared the teachings of Jesus, and celebrated the Eucharist (Holy Communion). Sacred Scriptures The sacred scriptures of Christianity are primarily found in the Bible, which is divided into two main sections: the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Bible is considered the inspired and authoritative word of God by Christians, and it serves as a source of religious guidance, moral teachings, and historical context. Old Testament New Testament The Old Testament, also known as the Hebrew The New Testament contains writings that Bible, consists of texts that were written before focus on the life, teachings, death, and the birth of Jesus Christ. It is considered sacred resurrection of Jesus Christ, as well as the early by both Jews and Christians, though the history of the Christian Church. arrangement of books may differ slightly It includes: Gospels, between the two traditions. The Old Testament Acts of the Apostles, Epistles and includes: Historical Books, Wisdom Literature, Revelation. Prophets and Psalms.  Sir John Introduction to world Religions and Belief Systems 2 Beliefs and Doctrines Christianity encompasses a set of core beliefs that are central to the faith and guide the lives of its followers. Christians believe in one God, therefore Christianity is a monotheistic religion. Holy Trinity Omnipotent Christianity teaches the concept of the Holy Omnipresent Trinity, which is the belief in one God existing in three persons: God the Father, God the Son Omniscient (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit. These three persons are distinct yet coequal and coeternal. The Catholic Church follows a certain hierarchy based on the Canon Law of the Catholic Church. At the top of the hierarchy is the pope, considered as Peter’s successor. The hierarchy also includes the cardinals, archbishops, bishops, priests, and deacons. Each member of the hierarchy has his own function for the efficiency of the church. Symbols The cross serves as a symbol of Jesus Christ’s victory over sins when He died on the cross for humanity’s redemption and salvation. The fish symbol is as old as Christianity itself, for it was used by persecuted Christians as a secret sign when meeting other Christians. Ten Commandments Also called the Decalogue, the Ten Commandments are a set of laws given by God to the people of Israel at Mt. Sinai through Moses. This set of commandments serves as the moral guidelines for Christians. Seven Sacraments The Beatitudes Also called the Decalogue, the Ten Commandments are a set of The Beatitudes comprise what is known as the laws given by God to the people of Israel at Mt. Sinai through “Sermon on the Mount” recorded in Matthew 5-7. Moses. This set of commandments serves as the moral The Beatitudes refer to the eight sayings of Jesus at guidelines for Christians. The seven sacraments include Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Communion, Confession, the beginning of the “Sermon on the Mount.” Matrimony, Holy Orders, and the Anointing of the Sick.  Sir John Introduction to world Religions and Belief Systems 3 The Apostle’s Creed The Apostles' Creed is one of the most ancient and widely recognized statements of Christian faith. It is a concise summary of core Christian beliefs and is often used in Christian liturgy and as a declaration of faith. It is not written by the apostles themselves but it serves as a summary of their basic teachings Worship and Observances Advent Advent refers to the season of waiting for the birth of the Messiah, hence its celebration lasts for four weeks, beginning four Sundays before Christmas and ending on Christmas eve. It is meant as an opportunity to reflect on the significance of the birth of Jesus who was sent by God the Father to restore humanity’s relationship with God. Lent Lent refers to the season observed by Christians in preparation for Easter, a celebration of the resurrection of Christ. Ash Wednesday signals the start of the season of Lent, which begins 40 days before Easter. This is a time to reflect on the suffering, sacrifice, life, death, burial, and resurrection of the Savior Jesus Christ. Pentecost Pentecost is celebrated as a holiday to commemorate the coming of the Holy Spirit to the early Christians. Thus, Pentecost is also celebrated as the birthday of the Church. Subdivisions Christianity has several major subdivisions, each with its own distinct beliefs, practices, and traditions. Roman Catholic The Roman Catholic Church is the largest Christian tradition, with a global presence. It has the Pope as its spiritual leader and is known for its hierarchical structure, sacramental theology, and emphasis on tradition. Eastern Orthodox Eastern Orthodox Church is the second-largest Christian tradition after Roman Catholicism. It has a strong presence in Eastern Europe, Greece, Russia, and the Middle East. Eastern Orthodox Christians emphasize the importance of tradition, liturgy, and the authority of ecumenical councils in shaping their beliefs. Protestantism It is a Christian tradition that originated in the 16th century as a result of the Protestant Reformation, a movement led by reformers who sought to reform certain practices and teachings within the Roman Catholic Church. Martin Luther was a German monk and theologian who initiated the Protestant Reformation. It's important to note that while these core beliefs are shared by most Christians, there is significant diversity within the religion, with various denominations and traditions interpreting certain aspects differently. Nonetheless, these beliefs provide a foundational framework for Christian faith and practice.  Sir John Introduction to world Religions and Belief Systems 4 abrahamic Religions Islam Monotheistic Population: 2 Billion [as of 2023] Place of Origin: Mecca, in modern-day Saudi Arabia Founder: Muhammad ☪️ Symbols: Star and Crescent Sacred Scriptures: the Qur'an Established around seventh century C.E., Islam is the youngest among the world’s major religions. With more than 1.5 billion adherents comprising almost one-fourth of the entire world population, Islam is the second largest group and one of the fasting growing religions in the world. Historical Background Islam began with the Arabian desert people around early seventh century C.E. These people had developed their own set of beliefs prior to the formal establishment of Islam and had been influenced by other religions for a long period of time, including Byzantine Christianity, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism. Founder Around the year 570 C.E., Muhammad ibn Abdullah was born in the oasis town of Mecca just off the western coast of the Arabian Peninsula (Karabell 2007). Muhammad’s father died before he was born while his mother died before he was six years old. Later on, Muhammad was taken into custody by his paternal uncle, Abu Talib, who was chief of the Quraysh tribe. Life must have been very difficult for the young Muhammad. With no formal schooling, Muhammad worked as a caravan worker travelling across the Arabian Peninsula as a camel driver. the word “Muslim” is the Arabic word for a person who submits A Muslim, therefore, is a “person who surrenders or submits himself to obey God” (Brown 1975). In Arabic, the word “Allah” is a compound of al (the definite article, the) and ilah (god or deity). Joined together, the words signify “god” (Renard 1993). Henceforth, he is called Allah or “the one who is God.” Muhammad was preaching that there can only be one God. Sacred Scriptures The sacred writing of the Muslims is called Quran (or Koran in English) that literally means “recitation” or “reading.” The Quran is the revelation from God of his speech (kalam) and is the foundation of the Islam religion (Bowker 1997). It is the supreme authority in all matters of faith, theology, and law (Parrinder 1971). The Quran has remained virtually unaltered since the time of Muhammad. To the Meccan townspeople, Muhammad preached the messages which were short and quite easy to remember as these lines rhymed with one another (Brown 1975). The Muslims recite and memorize the Quran reflecting the profound influence of the scripture on the daily lives of all followers. Muhammad wanted the Muslims to recite their scripture aloud similar to the manner done by the Jews and Christians. As time went on, the messages increased as Muhammad kept on receiving new revelations. The Quran guides all Muslims in every stage of their lives  Sir John Introduction to world Religions and Belief Systems 5 Hijra The hijra or the journey of Muhammad from Mecca to Medina “In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful Praise be to Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the Worlds; serves as a pivot point in the division of the Quranic verses that Most Gracious, Most Merciful; Master of the Day of Judgement. belong before or after the said emigration in 622 C.E. (Cragg 2004). You do we worship and Your aid we seek. Show us the straight way, Fatihah The way of those on whom You have bestowed Your Grace, those whose (portion) The Fatihah is the most frequently recited segment of the Koran. is not wrath, and who go not astray.” Hafiz A person who is able to memorize the Quran in its entirety is called hafiz (“guardian”). The female counterpart is called hafiza. Whatever denomination Muslims may belong to, they always have the same Quran written in Arabic similar to the early days of Islam’s founding. No two copies of the Quran anywhere in the world differ in any way (Aziz 1993). hadith The hadith is the collection of the deeds and sayings of Muhammad and his followers (“traditional reports or sayings”) and is the second source of shari’a law (Horrie & Chippindale 2003). Beliefs and Doctrines Islam began as a way of life (din) for its followers which God intended for his creation from the very beginning (Bowker 1997). In time, God had to send several prophets, including Musa (Moses) and ‘Isa (Jesus), to summon people back to the din as a result of human rebellion and transgression. Ultimately, all prophets were rejected, persecuted, or killed except for Muhammad. Five Pillars of Islam Shahada The basic creed of Islam that “there is no God but Allah; Muhammad is the messenger of Allah” is known as shahada. In Arabic, the shahada is recited as “La ilaha illa Allah; Muhammadon rasul Allah.” These are the very first words uttered into an infant’s ear and perhaps the last words given to a dying Muslim. The shahada asserts that Allah is the only divinity and that he has relayed his will through Muhammad (Bowker 1997). Salat (Obligatory Prayer) Just as the body requires food for its daily sustenance, prayers are done for spiritual development so that a Muslim’s character and conduct remain sound and health. Each prayer session begins when the strong-voiced muezzin or caller recites the call to prayer (adhan) from the tallest point of a mosque, often a minaret. A minaret is a tall structure or thin tower that is used to call the people to prayer. Zakat Zakat is not charity but an annual wealth tax that serves as just and lawful claim of the poor against the affluent ones. Muslim never view begging as dishonorable  Sir John Introduction to world Religions and Belief Systems 6 Five Pillars of Islam Sawm Fasting or sawm during the entire 30 days of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, must be performed by all Muslims every year. The Ramadan is believed to be the month when Muhammad received the first surah of the Quran. The sawm culminates with the “Feast of Breaking the Fast” (‘Id al-Fitr) wherein Muslims may celebrate and partake in festivities. They hold congregational prayers and exchange presents. Unlike the Jews or Catholics who fast for a brief period of time in observance of holy days, the Muslims are obligated to fast the longest and strictest of all Hajj All Muslims must attempt to undertake a pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca or hajj (“visitation of Holy Places”) at least once in their lifetime during the twelfth Islamic month. For Muslim men to participate in hajj, they must be sound, physically able, and able to provide for their dependents while they are on pilgrimage to Mecca. On the other hand, Muslim women may also take part in hajj subject to a number of restrictions. For example, women must be accompanied by a male chaperon (mahram) who must be a man they are legally unable to marry, such as their father or brother (Horrie & Chippindale 2003). Worships and Observances Muslim Calendar The Islamic calendar is composed of 12 lunar months of between 29 and 30 days. A year in the Islamic calendar constitutes a total of 354 days. The difference between the solar and lunar calendar is adjusted by adding one day to the last month of the year 11 times each 30 years. Nonetheless, 103 Islamic years are the equivalent of 100 solar years despite the periodic modifications done on the calendar Ramadan Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar wherein Muslims are expected to observe sawm. Muslims may not eat, drink, or have sex during daylight hours. The last 10 days of the month may be spent by continuous prayers of the most devoted Muslims. Finally, the sawm ends with ‘Id al-Fitr or the Festival of Breaking the Fast marked by popular rejoicing and festal prayer Shari’a The shari’a is a path of conduct that must be followed by all Muslims. It concerns almost the totality of a Muslim’s life – from home life, business interests, marital relations, inheritance, and various duties to the state and community Subdivisions Suni Shi’a Sufi Majority of Muslims, around 87% to The Shi’ite Muslims are the largest Muslims whose concern mainly 90% of the entirety of Islam faction within the Islam religion that dwell for a mystical union with God believers, belong to the Sunni separated from the rest of the are collectively called Sufis. Their denomination. community (Brown 1975). name originate from the word suf The Sunnis believe that any Historically speaking, three close that means “woolen” since they Muslim can be a ruler and he does associates of Muhammad became wore coarse wool garments or robes not need to prove his lineage to successive leaders or caliphs of Islam to symbolize poverty and Muhammad as long as he gets the with the death of the founder in 632 denunciation of worldly pleasures approval and confidence of the C.E. (Hopfe 1983). ummah or community  Sir John Introduction to world Religions and Belief Systems 7 Dharmic Religions Dharmic religions are a group of spiritual traditions originating in the Indian subcontinent that emphasize principles of duty, righteousness, and ethical conduct as a path to spiritual growth and liberation. The Dharmic religions, also known as the Indian religions, are a group of religions that originated in the Indian subcontinent and share common philosophical, cultural, and historical roots. Dharma These religions are characterized by their emphasis on dharma, which roughly translates to "duty," "righteousness," or "ethical path." Hindusim The oldest and most diverse of the Dharmic religions, Hinduism encompasses a wide range of beliefs, practices, and philosophies. It includes the concepts of karma (the law of cause and effect), reincarnation, and various paths to spiritual liberation (moksha). Hinduism has a pantheon of deities and encourages individual exploration of truth and spirituality. Hinduism is the world’s third largest religion with around 15% of the entire population practicing the Hindu faith. Hindu followers in India comprise the major bulk with almost 80% of the country’s population adhering to the religion. Other Asian countries with considerable Hindu faithful include Nepal (23 million), Bangladesh (15 million), and Indonesia (3.9 million in Bali). There are also substantial number of Hindus in Mauritius, Guyana, Fiji, Bhutan, Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, and Sri Lanka. Hinduism was never a missionary religion unlike Christianity or Islam. With the changing times, however, there have been proselytizing activities by Hindu missionaries in some Western cities. Three other religions that sprung in India have their origins in Hinduism. Around sixth century B.C.E., Jainism and Buddhism appeared to challenge traditional Indian beliefs and practices. Historical background Hinduism is oftentimes considered as the oldest and most complex of all world religions. While the most active religions of the modern times may have started around the sixth century B.C.E. onward, elements and themes of Hindu belief may have begun around the third millennium B.C.E Unlike other major religions, Hinduism had no one identifiable founder. The term Hindu originated from the Persian word hindu (in Sanskrit sindhu) which means “river.” It also refers to the people of the Indus Valley The name Hinduism was given in the nineteenth century to describe the wide array of belief systems in India. Hinduism was originally known as “Arya Dharma” or the “Aryan Way.” Sacred Scriptures The sacred texts of Hinduism have been principally passed down throughout generations by way of music, recitation, dance, and drama. Sanskrit has been the language of the earliest writings The sacred writings of the Hindus are categorized into two classes, the shruti and smriti.  Sir John Introduction to world Religions and Belief Systems 8 Shruti Shruti literally means “that which is heard.” They are regarded as eternal truths that were passed orally until the beginning of the present age wherein there came the need to write them down. The four collections of texts of the Vedas form the shruti and are considered primary sources and the most authoritative texts of the Hindu faith. Other writings that form part of shruti include the Samhitas, Brahmanas, Upanishads, and a few Sutras. The four basic Vedic books, which are sacrificial hymns compiled from an earlier oral tradition, are composed of Rig-veda, Sama-veda, Yajur-veda, and Atharva- veda. Vedas The word Veda means “knowledge” or “sacred lore.” The Vedas are the earliest known Sanskrit literature from the Brahmanic period and oldest scriptures of Hinduism. In the great epic Mahabharata, Brahma was said to have created the Vedas. Among the four Vedas, the Rig-Veda is the most important and oldest book that dates back to around 1500 B.C.E. to 1200 B.C.E. The book is a collection of over a thousand hymns and more than thousand verses dedicated to the Aryan pantheon of gods. Upanishads or secret teachings transcend rituals to elucidate the nature of the Upanishads universe and human’s connectedness to it. The many teachings embedded in the Upanishads are called Vedanta, and these are teeming with spiritual truths. Forming the fourth part of the Vedas, the term Upanishad literally translates as “sitting down near” or “sitting close to” as it implies listening intently to the mystic teachings of a spiritual teacher who has fully understood the universal truths. It could also mean “brahma-knowledge” whereby ignorance is totally eliminated. Smriti Smriti literally means “that which has been remembered.” These writings serve to reinforce shruti and are interpreted by sages and scholars alike. Most of these texts are sectarian in nature and considered of lesser importance compared to shruti, such as stories and legends, codes of conduct for the society, and guidebooks for worship. The great epics Ramayana and Mahabharata, which contains the philosophical poem Bhagavad Gita, are part of shmriti. These are national epics of India and considered to be the sacred texts of the masses where they draw their values and ideals.The great epics Ramayana and Mahabharata, which contains the philosophical poem Bhagavad Gita, are part of shmriti. These are national epics of India and considered to be the sacred texts of the masses where they draw their values and ideals Ramayana The Ramayana, translated as the “Story of Rama” or “Rama’s Journey,” is a Sanskrit epic poem written by the poet Valmiki consisting of 24,000 verses in Dharmic Religions seven books and 500 cantos. Central to the story is Rama, a prince and later portrayed as avatar or incarnation of the Hindu god Vishnu, who was born in Ayodhya. Rama was exiled by his father on the eve of his coronation. Meanwhile, in the forest, Rama’s consort, Sita, was abducted by Ravana, the demon-king of Lanka. Rama struggles mightily to win Sita back. After a battle, Rama kills Ravana and reunites again with Sita. Returning to Ayodhya, they are crowned with Rama portrayed as the ideal king. Rama and Sita are the epitome of perfect man and woman. Meanwhile, Ravana symbolizes ambition and greed resulting in cosmic disorder and degradation of women and family.  Sir John Introduction to world Religions and Belief Systems 9 mahabharata Another major Sanskrit literature of old India is Mahabharata which is composed of around one hundred thousand verses making it the word’s longest poem. The Mahabharata tells of a great struggle among the descendants of a king called Bharata, a name used by many Indians to mean “India” Two families are at war, the Pandavas who represent good and the Kauravas who embody evil. The hundred Kaurava brothers try to cheat their five cousins, the Pandavas, out of their share of the kingdom. As intense battle ensued, every kingdom had to take sides. With the help of Bronze chariot, depicting discourse of Krishna and Arjuna in Kurukshetra. Krishna, another incarnation of Vishnu, the Pandavas emerged triumphant but lost all their sons and closest kin in battle A celebrated episode within the Mahabharata is the Bhagavad Gita (or simply Bhagavad Gita Gita) which is translated as “the Lord’s Song.” It is believed to have been written between the second century B.C.E. and third century C.E. Considered as one of the holiest books by the Hindus, the Gita is a 700-verse narrative of a dialogue between the Pandava prince Arjuna and his guide-cousin Krishna. The Gita instructs any person that one may reach god through devotion, knowledge, or selfless action. Humans must do their duty or dharma whatever it may be and whatever results it could produce. The Gita is considered the layman’s Upanishads because the difficult teachings of the Upanishads are presented here in a manner that commoners can understand Beliefs and Doctrines The Hindu faith offers its followers many paths to salvation. They may find liberation from the cycle of life through devotion to one or more gods. Gods and goddesses can be worshipped at their temples. In temples, devotees can pray and offer sacrifices so that they can gain favor from deities and assist them in their struggle for salvation. Bhakti stands for the soul’s longing for and clinging to god. Devotion to the Trimurti Central to Hinduism is the Brahman who is the ultimate reality, one and undivided (Hopfe 1983). The Brahman is often seen in three forms or functions. Called the Trimurti, these are creation, preservation, and destruction. These functions are expressed in god forms, namely, Brahma, the creator; Vishnu, the preserver; and Shiva, the destroyer. When depicted, Brahma has four heads and eight hands. His chief consort is Brahman Saraswati, the goddess of science and wisdom. Brahma’s vehicle is a swan or goose which symbolizes knowledge. Known as a god of love, benevolence, and forgiveness, Vishnu’s primary concern is Vishnu humanity itself. As the preserver, the creation is withdrawn to a seed whenever he sleeps but rises again as he wakes up. He is worshiped in various forms of his incarnations or avatars. As the destroyer and the god of death, destruction, and disease, Shiva is the third in Shiva the Trimurti. His functions are many. He is also god of dance, vegetable, animal, and human reproduction (Hopfe 1983). In Hindu belief, death is but a prelude to birth, hence, the god of death is also the god often revered through the lingam, the male energy surrounded by the yoni, the female source of energy  Sir John Introduction to world Religions and Belief Systems 10 Moksha From the Upanishads one may find the three principal and inter-related doctrines within the Indian religion. Firstly, every soul dies and is reborn anew in new form (this cycle is called samsara). Second, one’s deeds have an effect in this or a future life. Lastly, one may escape the weary round of death and birth (Parrinder 1971). Within every human is an eternal soul or atman that is being reborn many times and in various forms in accordance to the moral law or karma (Bowker 1997). A soul may escape the cycle of rebirth and attain moksha. This particular liberation can be achieved through the four yogas that involve a system of practices aimed at producing spiritual enlightenment. Yoga The word yoga is derived from the root word yuj which translates as “to yoke” or “to join.” The philosophy of yoga was developed by the sage Patanjali who lived in the second century B.C.E. He is considered as the “father of modern yoga” as he codified the teachings of yoga in his Yoga Sutra (Hopfe 1983). Subdivisions Followers of Hinduism vary in their set of beliefs and practices, including reverence to a particular god. Presently, there are four principal denominations within the Hindu faith. These are Shaivism, Shaktism, Vaishavism, and Smartism. It is important to note, however, that while these gods have different names, Hindus all worship one supreme being. Shaivism Lord Shiva, the Compassionate One, is God for the Saivites. Followers of Shaivism value self-discipline and philosophy. They worship in temples and practice yoga. Shaktism The Goddess Shakti is supreme for Shaktas. She is the divine mother and assumes many forms, be it a gentle one or a fierce deity. Believers use chants, magic, and yoga to summon cosmic forces. Vaishnavism Lord Vishnu is God for the Vaishnavites, especially in his incarnations Krishna and Rama. Adherents have multitudes of saints, temples, and sacred texts. For the Smartas, devotees are left to choose their own deity in one of six Smartism manifestations, namely, Ganesha, Siva, Shakti, Vishnu, Surya, and Skanda. Smartas are known as liberals as they embrace all major Hindu gods. Selected Issues Even though the Manusmriti or the “Laws of Manu” states that women should be Hinduism and honored in Hindu society, women have always been considered inferior to men in women almost all aspects of life. A woman's life revolves around the men in her life, to be taken care of by her father in childhood, by her husband in married life, and by her sons upon old age. Thus, women are relegated to performing household chores and are expected to become loyal to their husbands, even after their husbands die. Caste The caste system is one major distinguishing feature of Indian culture that still affects modern-day society. A system of social class composed of the Brahmins, Kshatriyas, System Vaishyas, and Shudras, opportunities are based upon family origin. One person belongs to a caste by being born to parents of that particular caste Hinduism is oftentimes considered as the oldest and most complex of all world religions. Hinduism has no single founder, no specific theological system, and no single sacred text. Summary The concept of dharma is closely linked to the Hindu religion. It is the power that preserves the society. The sacred writings of the Hindus are categorized into shruti and smriti. Shruti literally means “that which is heard” and are regarded as eternal truths that were passed orally. The four books of Vedas are part of the shruti. Meanwhile, smriti literally means “that which has been remembered” and these are writings that serve to reinforce shruti. Fundamental to Hindu teachings are the doctrines of samsara (the cycle of rebirth) and karma (the universal law of causality). Apart from recognizing a vast assortment of Indian deities, the Hindus believe in the trimurti (trinity) composed of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. Integral to Hindu worship are the sacred images and temples believed to house and represent the deities.