COMMISSION ON DIOCESAN SCHOOLS

SAINT CHRISTOPHER ACADEMY

High school department
Central East #1, Bangar, La Union

Introduction to World Religion 12

Module 8: Hinduism
Name: _______________________________________ Date: _____________
Grade & Section:12-Saint Mary Score: ____________
Teacher: Mrs.Jennifer B.Niro
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.
a. Founders: Aryans (1500 B.C.) - The first traceable roots of Hinduism lie with the invading Aryans, who
move into the northwest of the Indian subcontinent from about 1500 BC (see the history of India for recent
archaeological arguments against the concept of an Aryan invasion). ... In the long term none of these gods
feature prominently in Hinduism.
Symbols:

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. 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.

b. Sacred texts: Vedas, Upanishads and Bhagavad-Gita

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.

c. Doctrines:
Dharma - duty
Kama - pleasure
Artha - wealth
Moksha - liberation
Brahman - connotes the highest Universal Principle
Atman - eternal self

Four Yogas:
(Yoga of Knowledge,
Yoga of Work
Yoga of Devotion or Love, and
Yoga of Psychological Exercises)

c. Gods: 33 million gods and goddesses

Why Hindus worship so many gods and goddesses is a real mystery for most people. In the West, where the
mass majority of people are part of the Abrahamic faith tradition with one God, the concept of polytheism is
nothing more than fantasy or mythology worthy of comic book material.
Highest God: Para Brahman
Para Brahman (not to be confused with Brahma) is supreme God of hinduism. Most Hindus worship one
Supreme Being, though by different names.
three goddesses
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 Tridevi, or three goddesses, is a term used in Hinduism to describe the three main female deities. These are
Saraswati (who is linked to Brahma ), Lakshmi (who is linked to Vishnu ) and Parvati (who is linked to
Shiva ).

d. Issues: Gender Inequality, Caste System, Poverty

Gender Inequality - One such contradiction is the status of women. Hindu mores deify women as the venerable
mother, and as formidable goddesses, even as they relegate them to submissive inferiority.

Caste System - Hinduism reinforced a strict social hierarchy called a caste system that made it nearly impossible
for people to move outside of their social station.

Poverty - Hindus who view poverty as a result of negative action believe it is important to improve their actions
for a better future life.

Activity: Simulate a particular yoga and write a reflection on your insights on Hinduism below. (20 points: Textual
evidence-10, Clarity-10).

Reflection:

Prepared by: Checked and Noted by:

Jennifer B. Niro Jennifer B.Galuz
Subject Teacher OIC Principal

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