BASIC TEACHINGS OF

HINDUISM
Essential Components of a Person
• For Hindus, a person is made up of many layers, but with
a core.
• Hindus also believe that human beings have material
and immaterial properties.
• A person is not just a pure material entity; he or she is
also an immaterial being- i.e having a soul.
• The soul is likened to something that cannot be seen,
like any material or physical object, but a principle of
life.
ATMAN
•The atman or the True Self refers to the
innermost spiritual property of the
individual which is distinct from the
mind, intellect, ego, or the objective self
or stream of consciousness.
KARMA AND REINCARNATION
• Karma is a process in which justice is preserved.
• Reincarnation is closely linked to karma and the
primary goals of a Hindu’s life.
• Reincarnation is understood in the context of karma.
• Karma and reincarnation, in a way, help define who
and what each person decides to become.
BRAHMAN
• Brahman means “the Great”, “the Supreme”.
• The concept of Brahman explains the Hindu
understanding of the nature of ultimate reality.
• For Hindus, Brahman is the cosmic principle- the
origin of one’s life or existence.
YOGA: A WAY OF SALVATION
• In Katha Upanishad Yama, the god of death, used
this analogy to describe the human state.
• In the Gita, Krishna explains that the body is
different from the self.
• The Gita also outlines four ways to attain
liberation from the cycle of rebirths: the jnana
yoga, karma-yoga, bhakti-yoga, and raja-yoga.
YOGA: A WAY OF SALVATION
• The word yoga comes from the Sanskrit root word
yuj, which means “to yoke, unite, control.”
• In Hinduism, it refers to ascetical and meditative
disciplines that lead to knowledge that cannot be
accessed by ordinary human consciousness.
• The term first appeared in the Katha Upanishad,
where it is described as a control of the senses.
YOGA: A WAY OF SALVATION
• Jnana-Yoga, or the discipline of knowledge, is part
of the Upanishad tradition.This knowledge
translates to understanding the true nature of the
atman, which has the same qualities as those of
Brahman.
• Karma-yoga or the discipline of action, requires
the fulfillment of one’s duties without expecting
anything.
YOGA: A WAY OF SALVATION
• Bhakti-yoga or the way of devotion is the third
path. This means that fulfilling this path is not as
tedious as the path of knowledge, which requires
rigid training and time.
• Raja-yoga is a comprehensive method that
emphasizes meditation, while embracing yoga. It
directly deals with encountering and transcending
thoughts of the mind.
AHIMSA
• Hinduism with its teachings in the reincarnation
believe that all animals have a soul and hence
should be considered as brothers and sisters.
• In the Mahabharata, nonviolence is pointed out as
one of the central principles that guides one’s
conduct, morality, and social duties.
• Sarva-bhuta-hita which means “kindness to all
creatures”.
DHARMA
• Dharma- to perform one’s duty- is the highest worldly
aim.
• Dharma comes from the Sanskrit root dhri, which
means “to support, hold up or bear”
• It also comes from the word dhru or Dhruva means
“pole”.
• It also associated with the Latin firmus, which implies
firmness which means “that which hold fast”.
HINDU FESTIVALS AND HOLY DAYS
• Holi a festival of colors that welcomes the arrival of
spring. (Feb.-March)
• Shiva Ratri a special celebration in honor of Lord
Shiva. (Feb.-March)
• Rama Navami the “Appearance Day” celebration of
Lord Rama (April)
• Krishna Jayanti also known as Janmashthami, the
“Appearnace Day” celebration of Lord Krishna (July-
August)
HINDU FESTIVALS AND HOLY DAYS
• Raksabandhana the renewing of bonds between brothers
and sisters. (July- August)
• Kumbh Mela A major convergence of Hindu traditions
occurring at rare intervals This is considered the world’s
largest religious festival. (July- August)
• Dassera the Victory of Rama over the demonic king Ravana
(Sept.-Oct.)
• Navarati The Festival of the goddess, a Shakta celebration
(in Bengal) or sometimes, part of the celebration of Rama’s
victory over Ravana (in South India) (Sept.-Oct)
• Diwali the festival of lights, New Year’s Day (Sept.-Oct)