Solano, Nueva Vizcaya: Aldersgate College

ALDERSGATE COLLEGE
Solano, Nueva Vizcaya
COMPARATIVE SPIRITUALITY
Module 4: HINDUISM
Instructor: Rev. Rosemarie D. Agonias

OVERVIEW Level: BSBA, BS Crim, BSIT
This module is designed to help students understand Hinduism- beliefs and Allotted Time: Two hours
practices.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Upon completion of this module, students should be able to:
1. trace the existence and development of Hinduism.

2. understand the Holy Writings compared to the Bible.
3. appreciate the contribution of Hinduism to the Hindus.
PRETEST: True or False

Direction: Read the following sentences and write True if the statement correct and False if the statement wrong.
Write answer on the blank provided before the number of the statement.
_______ 1. Hinduism is the world’s oldest religion, according to many scholars, with roots and customs
dating back more than 4,000 years.
_______ 2. Hinduism embraces many religious ideas. For this reason, it’s sometimes referred to as a
“way of life” or a “family of religions,” as opposed to a single, organized religion.
_______ 3. Hindus revere all living creatures and consider the cow a sacred animal.
_______ 4. Food is an important part of life for Hindus. Most don’t eat beef or pork, and many are
vegetarians.
_______ 5. Hindus believe that the Vedas transcend all time and don’t have a beginning or an end.
_______ 6. Most scholars believe Hinduism started somewhere between 2300 B.C. and 1500 B.C. in
the Indus Valley, near modern-day Pakistan. But many Hindus argue that their faith is timeless and has
always existed.
_______ 7. Hindus can also worship at home, and many have a special shrine dedicated to certain
gods and goddesses.
_______ 8. Vishnu is the god responsible for the creation of the world and all living things.
_______ 9. Shiva is the god that preserves and protects the universe.
_______ 10. Brahma is the god that destroys the universe in order to recreate it
LEARNING FOCUS
Hinduism is the world’s oldest religion, according to many scholars, with roots and customs dating back
more than 4,000 years. Today, with about 900 million followers, Hinduism is the third-largest religion
behind Christianity and Islam. Roughly 95 percent of the world’s Hindus live in India. Because the
religion has no specific founder, it’s difficult to trace its origins and history. Hinduism is unique in that
it’s not a single religion but a compilation of many traditions and philosophies.
Hinduism Beliefs
Some basic Hindu concepts include:
 Hinduism embraces many religious ideas. For this reason, it’s sometimes referred to as a “way
of life” or a “family of religions,” as opposed to a single, organized religion.
 Most forms of Hinduism are henotheistic, which means they worship a single deity, known as
“Brahman,” but still recognize other gods and goddesses. Followers believe there are multiple paths to
reaching their god.
 Hindus believe in the doctrines of samsara (the continuous cycle of life, death, and
reincarnation) and karma (the universal law of cause and effect).
 One of the key thoughts of Hinduism is “ atman,” or the belief in soul. This philosophy holds that
living creatures have a soul, and they’re all part of the supreme soul. The goal is to achieve “ moksha,”
or salvation, which ends the cycle of rebirths to become part of the absolute soul.
 One fundamental principle of the religion is the idea that people’s actions and thoughts directly
determine their current life and future lives.
 Hindus strive to achieve dharma, which is a code of living that emphasizes good conduct and
morality.
 Hindus revere all living creatures and consider the cow a sacred animal.
 Food is an important part of life for Hindus. Most don’t eat beef or pork, and many are
vegetarians.
 Hinduism is closely related to other Indian religions, including Buddhism , Sikhism and Jainism.
Hinduism Holy Books
Hindus value many sacred writings as opposed to one holy book.
The primary sacred texts, known as the Vedas, were composed around 1500 B.C. This collection of
verses and hymns was written in Sanskrit and contains revelations received by ancient saints and
sages.
The Vedas are made up of:
 The Rig Veda

 The Samaveda
 Yajurveda
 Atharvaveda
Hindus believe that the Vedas transcend all time and don’t have a beginning or an end.
The Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, 18 Puranas, Ramayana and Mahabharata are also considered
important texts in Hinduism.
Origins of Hinduism
Most scholars believe Hinduism started somewhere between 2300 B.C. and 1500 B.C. in the Indus
Valley, near modern-day Pakistan. But many Hindus argue that their faith is timeless and has always
existed.
Unlike other religions, Hinduism has no one founder but is instead a fusion of various beliefs.
Around 1500 B.C., the Indo-Aryan people migrated to the Indus Valley, and their language and culture
blended with that of the indigenous people living in the region. There’s some debate over who
influenced who more during this time.
The period when the Vedas were composed became known as the “Vedic Period” and lasted from about
1500 B.C. to 500 B.C. Rituals, such as sacrifices and chanting, were common in the Vedic Period.
The Epic, Puranic and Classic Periods took place between 500 B.C. and 500 A.D. Hindus began to
emphasize the worship of deities, especially Vishnu, Shiva and Devi.
The concept of dharma was introduced in new texts, and other faiths, such as Buddhism and Jainism,
spread rapidly.
Hindu Gods
Hindus worship many gods and goddesses in addition to Brahman, who is believed to be the supreme
God force present in all things.
Some of the most prominent deities include:
 Brahma: the god responsible for the creation of the world and all living things
 Vishnu: the god that preserves and protects the universe
 Shiva: the god that destroys the universe in order to recreate it
 Devi: the goddess that fights to restore dharma
 Krishna: the god of compassion, tenderness and love
 Lakshmi: the goddess of wealth and purity
 Saraswati: the goddess of learning
Hindu Places of Worship
Hindu worship, which is known as “puja,” typically takes place in the Mandir (temple). Followers of
Hinduism can visit the Mandir any time they please.
Hindus can also worship at home, and many have a special shrine dedicated to certain gods and
goddesses.
The giving of offerings is an important part of Hindu worship. It’s a common practice to present gifts,
such as flowers or oils, to a god or goddess.
Additionally, many Hindus take pilgrimages to temples and other sacred sites in India.
Sects of Hinduism
Hinduism has many sects, and is sometimes divided into the following:
 Shaivism (followers of Shiva)

 Vaishnava (followers of Vishnu)
 Shaktism (followers of Devi)
 Smarta (followers of Brahman and all major deities)
Some Hindus elevate the Hindu trinity, which consists of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Others believe
that all the deities are a manifestation of one.
Hindu Caste System
The caste system is a social hierarchy in India that divides Hindus based on their karma and dharma.
Many scholars believe the system dates back more than 3,000 years.
The four main castes (in order of prominence) include:
1. Brahmin: the intellectual and spiritual leaders

2. Kshatriyas: the protectors and public servants of society
3. Vaisyas: the skillful producers
4. Shudras: the unskilled laborers
Many subcategories also exist within each caste. The “Untouchables” are a class of citizens that are
outside the caste system and considered to be in the lowest level of the social hierarchy.
For centuries, the caste system determined every aspect of a person’s social, professional and
religious status in India.
When India became an independent nation, its constitution banned discrimination based on caste.
Today, the caste system still exists in India but is loosely followed. Many of the old customs are
overlooked, but some traditions, such as only marrying within a specific caste, are still embraced.
Hindu Holidays
Hindus observe numerous sacred days, holidays and festivals.
Some of the most well-known include:
 Diwali : the festival of lights

 Navaratri: a celebration of fertility and harvest
 Holi: a spring festival
 Krishna Janmashtami: a tribute to Krishna’s birthday
 Raksha Bandhan: a celebration of the bond between brother and sister
 Maha Shivaratri: the great festival of Shiva
LEARNING ACTIVITIES:
1. Write five similarities and differences that you can see between Hinduism and Christianity.
2. If you were to choose five from the beliefs, holidays and festivals of Hinduism, what are those
and why?
POST TEST:
Direction: Define the following terms:
1. Hinduism
2. Samsara
3. Moksha
4. Dharma
5. Karma
6. Brahmin
7. Kshatriyas
8. Shudras
9. Diwali
10. Holi
REFERENCES:
History of Hinduism, BBC .
Hinduism Fast Facts, CNN .
What are the Basic Beliefs of Hinduism, Smithsonian Institution .
Hinduism: The World’s Third Largest Religion, Religioustolerance.org .
Samsara: Hinduism, Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs at Georgetown University .

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ALDERSGATE COLLEGE

Solano, Nueva Vizcaya

Instructor: Rev. Rosemarie D. Agonias

Upon completion of this module, students should be able to:

1. trace the existence and development of Hinduism.

PRETEST: True or False

Some basic Hindu concepts include:

Hinduism Holy Books

Hindus value many sacred writings as opposed to one holy book.

The Vedas are made up of:

 The Rig Veda

Some of the most prominent deities include:

 Shaivism (followers of Shiva)

Hindu Caste System

The four main castes (in order of prominence) include:

1. Brahmin: the intellectual and spiritual leaders

Some of the most well-known include:

 Diwali : the festival of lights

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