Hinduism

The Essence of Hindu Faith

• The Hindus believe in a single Divinity-Brahma known under three different names-Brahma as the creator, Vishnu as the protector and Shiva as the destroyer (The Trinity)
• They worship many gods and goddesses but they are aspects of the same Divine.
• It is impossible to visualise God. He is everywhere in the universe and His presence is in everything but He is much more than the sum total of all.
• Murtis (Consecrated images) are there to assist contemplation of the presence of God in their prayer.
• Those who are able contemplate His presence without the help of any image.
• The Hindus believe that God appears whenever and wherever it is necessary to protect mankind, to bring about an order and destroy evils. These appearances are known as Avatar or incarnation of God. e.g. Lord Krishna is an Avatar in one era as Lord Ram is in another.
• The Hindus believe in rebirth. Death is not the end of life. Each individual soul emanates from the Divine, gets trapped in a body in each life and aspires to break out of the cycle of birth and death through good deeds and ultimately reunite with the Divine i.e. achieve Moksha or salvation.

Hinduism

• Hinduism is a way of life in the world.
• The oldest living religion on earth
• Do not claim as being the only “truth”.
• Respect other religions.
• No tradition of conversion.
• No founder- born out of the ultimate experiences of the Divine by the ancient rishis (sages).
• Embraces a range of practices –no insistence on any form being the only correct one.
• No strong tradition of congregational worship. Most use a room or a corner of a room in the house as a shrine.
• Most people attend temples on special occasions.

Hindu Scriptures- written in Sanskrit

• There are four Vedas- The Rig Veda, the Sama Veda, the Yajur Veda and the Atharva Veda.
• Veda derives from Sanskrit word vidya which means knowledge
• Contains two types of knowledge:
  • Para Vidya: knowledge of the Divine.
  • Apara Vidya: knowledge of the world.
• written during 1500 BC- existed in oral form long before that period.

Hindu way of Worship

• Puja-chanting mantras (hymns) from the scriptures and offering food and flowers to the Deity.
• Meditation.
• Singing devotional songs and
• Performing Dharma i.e. living life in the right way. Right ways are stated in the Scriptures as well as by people of wisdom since then. Essential ingredients of Dharma are:
  • Vakti - devotion to God
  • Sraddha-respect for all
  • Tiyag-self-sacrifice and
  • Daya-love & kindness.

Ramayana & Mahabharata

• Two immortal epics, which from time immemorial played important roles in showing the right way.

Mythological Stories

Numerous stories in Hindu mythology also have been sources of guidance.

Hindu Symbol

Pronounced Om or Aum

• The first sound ever - stands for man’s realisation of the Divinity.
• Used in prayers ( that thou art).
• Conveys the concept of Omniscience, Omnipresence and Omnipotence.

Feast and Festivals

• Holi-a very popular and colourful festival in spring where men and women, old and young, rich and poor sing and dance together and spray coloured water and powders. Originated from the activities of Lord Krishna.
• Diwali-Festival of lights in autumn when rows and rows of lights are lit. It signifies light over darkness and good over evil.
• Ramanavami- Birthday of Lord Rama.
• Mahashivratri-marked by stringent fasting and prayer to Lord Shiva.
• Janamashtami-birthday of Lord Krishna- fasting and prayers in honour of Lord Krishna.
• Navaratra: Beginning of the nine nights of worships of goddess Durga.
• And many other Vratas- at least one in every month.

Vratas

Days of fasting and prayers-many throughout the year.