In this lesson, one will explore the history of Hinduism as well as its basic tenets. It will try to answer how the Hindus manifest their spirituality amidst the variety of their traditions and freedom of beliefs. It will also present the goals of Hinduism. It also enumerates important concepts such as the Hindu beliefs and practices, kinds of yoga, Vedic structures and goals of dharma. I hope this will be helpful to everyone. Thank you!

1. HINDUISM

2. Essential Questions
1. Why is Hinduism considered a
diverse and complex religion?
2. How do the Hindus manifest
their spirituality amidst the variety
of their traditions and freedom of
beliefs?

7. Hindu-originated from the
Persian word hindu (in
Sanskrit sindhu) which
means “river”.
-It also refers to the
people of the Indus Valley-
the Indians.

8. Hinduism-was originally
known as “Arya Dharma”
or the “Aryan Way”.

10. Sanskrit-language of Hindus
2 Classes
1. Shruti- something that is
heard
2. Shmriti-something that is
remembered

11. Shruti
Veda-means “knowledge” or “sacred lore”
4 Vedic Books
1. Rig-Veda-collection of a thousand hymns
and more than a thousand verses
dedicated to the Aryan pantheon of gods
2. Yajur-Veda-”knowledge of rites”
3. Sama-Veda-collection of verses from the
basic hymns recited by priests during
sacrifices
4. Atharva-Veda-”knowledge given by the
sage Atharva

12. Shmriti
2 Great Epics
1. Ramayana-translated as the “Story of
Rama” or “Rama’s Journey”
-written by the poet Valmiki,
consisting of 24,000 verses
2. Mahabharata-composed of around 100,000
verses making it the world’s longest poem.

13. Bhagavad Gita- translated
as “The Lord’s Song”. This
instructs any person that one may
reach God through devotion.

15. Beliefs and Doctrines

17. Devotion to Trimurti
Bhraman-ultimate reality, one and
undivided.
-often seen in three (3) forms
1. Bhrama-God the creator
2. Vishnu-God the preserver
3. Shiva-God the destroyer
Devotion to Trimurti