Nine Beliefs of Hinduism

Material 1
Reference: https://www.poemhunter.com/poem/in-hindu-vedic-religion/
Material 2
Hinduism Beliefs, Symbols

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.
There are two primary symbols associated with Hinduism, the om and the
swastika. The word swastika means "good fortune" or "being happy" in
Sanskrit, and the symbol represents good luck. (A hooked, diagonal variation
of the swastika later became associated with Germany’s Nazi Party when
they made it their symbol in 1920.)
The om symbol is composed of three Sanskrit letters and represents three

sounds (a, u and m), which when combined are considered a sacred sound.
The om symbol is often found at family shrines and in Hindu temples.
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 whom 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 A.D.
500. 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.
Hinduism vs. Buddhism

Hinduism and Buddhism have many similarities. Buddhism, in fact, arose out
of Hinduism, and both believe in reincarnation, karma and that a life of
devotion and honor is a path to salvation and enlightenment.
But some key differences exist between the two religions: Many strains of
Buddhism reject the caste system, and do away with many of the rituals, the
priesthood, and the gods that are integral to Hindu faith.
Hinduism - Origins, Facts & Beliefs | HISTORY. (2017, October 6). HISTORY.
https://www.history.com/topics/religion/hinduism
Material 3
Reference: HINDUISM AND BUDDHISM. (n.d.). https://slideplayer.com/slide/9322200/

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Material 1

Hinduism Beliefs, Symbols

 Hinduism embraces many religious ideas. For this reason, it’s

The om symbol is composed of three Sanskrit letters and represents three

Hinduism Holy Books

The Vedas are made up of:

 The Rig Veda

The Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, 18 Puranas, Ramayana and

Hinduism vs. Buddhism

Reference: HINDUISM AND BUDDHISM. (n.d.). https://slideplayer.com/slide/9322200/

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