Hinduism

[[image:Cultural_expansion_of_Hinduism_in_Southeast_Asia.png width="661" height="410"]]
__**Leaders**:__none; evolved from old ideas that was compiled over thousands of years. __**Holy Books/Writings**__: The Mahabharata, The Ramayna, Bhagavad, Gita, Vedas, Upanishads, Brahmana, Puranas and epics, Tantras, and the writings of the revered guru
 * __Basic Beliefs__:** salvation was promised to those who were active in the world; held to their caste duties - SE MC

Hinduism originated in central India, around 1500 B.C.E, after the collapse of the Indus river valley civilization. The Aryans and Dravidians conquered this land and their mutual beliefs created the foundation for this new religion, term Hinduism coined in the 19th century, however Hindus never called their religion Hinduism, rather, they called it //sanatana dharma//. Being the most popular religion in India, it spread through trade, on the silk road and on other routes, commercial settlements, and political intervention. Though it flourished during the time of the Maurya and Gupta empires (185 C.E. - 600 C.E.), the popularity of the religion declined with the growing conquests of the Muslims and Buddhists. Now, it is the 3rd most popular religion in the world, it claims about 13% of the world's population.

__Beliefs__
-henothestic (Belief in one god without denying the existence of others) -main diety is Brahman -Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma (aspects of Brahman but equally worshiped) -thousands of lesser gods are also acknowleged -Belief of the 10 avatars of Vishnu -Belief of Reincarnation, karma, and //moshka// -Leading a good life a person can be released from the cycle of reincarnation and achieve union with God.

-people should not strive for rewards in their actions -perform duties faithfully -obedience to religious and moral laws- dharma -pursuit of economic well-being- artha - Dharma emphasized doing their duty to their family and friends, helping neighbors, being kind to others, and telling the truth
 * __Basic Ideas__**



Transcendental meditation is a meditation technique introduced in 1958 by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. The technique is practiced for twenty minutes twice a day while sitting with the eyes closed, enabling the mind to "transcend" to a quieter state. Maharishi was born January 12, 1917, to a Hindu family living in India and was named Mahesh Prasad Varma at birth. According to Jay Randolph Coplin, the name "Mahesh" indicated that Maharishi came from a Hindu family that worshipped Shiva.

Hindu Rituals
- By leading a good life a person can be released from the cycle of reincarnation and can achieve union with god. - Hindus worship thousands of gods. - Their next life is dictated by the good or bad deeds in their present life (Karma) - Hindus try to live according to a code of behavior called Dharma. - Worship at temples called mandirs. - They believe pilgrimage will take them closer to moksha. - 16 samskaras during one's life (ceremonies) - Fire is a key part in worship. - Every Hindu holds festivals dedicated to their deities and gods. - Puja is their daily worship. Puja can be performed at home or at the temple. Puja begins with the recitation of prayers from the sacred texts and Mantras, and is followed by the offering of gifts to the gods.