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Alyssa requested a lesson on different religions, and Jason was talking crap on Hinduism, so I figured that was a good place to start. Basic history: Hinduism is the 3rd largest religion in the world-with 762 million followers-13% of the world's population. It does not have a single founder, but rather evolved from thousands of different religions practiced all around India. It is generally regarded as the world's oldest organized religion. In 2001 it was estimated that the US has between 777,000 and 1.1 million Hindus. 80% of all Hindus are Vaishnavites, who worship Lord Vishnu.
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Learn all about Hinduism! Rock the Bindi.
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Ms. Morris
THIS WEEK'S LESSON:
Learn More:
www.hindu.org
It is arguable as to whether Hinduism is monotheistic or polytheistic:  Hindus do believe in many gods, but also believe that there is only one supreme being:  Brahman, which is really just the panentheistic belief that all reality is one.  So, hope that makes sense to everyone. :) Brahman is also seen as three entities:  Brahma, the Creator, Vishnu (Krishna), the Preserver, and Shiva, the Destroyer.  Most historians see it as a henotheistic religion, one who recognizes a single deity, but also recognizes other gods and goddesses as facets, manisfestations, or aspects of that supreme being.  Hindus believe in the Tranmigration of the Soul, or really, reincarnation. It produces a continuing cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth. Karma is the accumulated sum of one's good and bad deeds. Karma determines how you will live in your next life. Through pure acts, thoughts, and devotion, one can be reborn at a higher level. Eventually, one can escape this cycle and achieve enlightenment. Bad deeds can cause a person to be reborn as a lower level, or even as an animal.  The unequal distribution of weath, prestige, and suffering are thus seen as natural consequences for one's previous acts, both in this life and in previous ones. Hindus organize their lives around certain activities called the four aims of Hinduism, or the doctrine of the fourfold end of life. They are:  The three goals of pravritti, those who are in the world: 1. dharma-righteousness in their religious life (most important) 2. artha-success in their economic life, material prosperity. 3. kama-gratification of the senses, sensual, sexual, and mental enjoyment.   The main goal for the nivritti, those who renounce the world, is: moksa-liberation from the cycle of reincarnation.  this is considered the supreme end of mankind.
Meditation is often practiced, and yoga is the most common. Other activities include daily devotions, public rituals, and puja, a ceremonial dinner for God.  Hinduism has a deserved reputation of being highly tolerant of other religions. Hindus have a saying, "Ekam Sataha Vipraha Bahudha Vadanti", which translates into "The truth is One, but different Sages call it by different names." I like that. :-p
The caste system was abolished by law in 1949, but is still a significant force throughout India, and breaks down into: top being priests and academics, beneath that the rulers and military, then the farmers, landlords, and merchants, then the peasants, servants, and workers in non-polluting jobs. Then there were the untouchables, who were not included in the system. In 2001 there was a mass conversion of many untouchables to Buddhism to escape this distinction.
The majority of Hindus are vegetarian, because they believe in the principle of non-violence, which extends to both humans and animals.
www.hindunet.org
www.hindukids.org
Jesus/Krishna Some interesting comparisons between the two.
Questions for this lesson:
1. Wearing a Bindi symbolizes that
a.  You are Hindu
b.  You are married
c.   You are in the upper caste.

2. What famous man donated a mansion to the Hare Krishna movement, an offshoot of Hinduism?
a.  Steven Segal
b.  George Harrison
c.  Mel Gibson

3. Which of these is NOT a yoga position?
a. Downward facing Dog
b. The Corpse
c.  Mountain Pose
d.  Forward Crane

4. Yoga has been shown to help with all but:
a. migraines
b. ADD
c. menstruation problems
d. weight loss
1.
2.
3.
4.
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