HINDUISM

HINDUISM

Hinduism has problems because it was created so long ago that it was before people kept written records. This makes it difficult to find early information and timelines on it.

Hinduism is a bit more complex because of the variety of customs, types of worship, gods, myths, philosophies, rituals, and movements. Hinduism has no single founder or text to isolate or make a specific origin. It is very diverse.

HINDUISM'S CORE ASSUPTIONS

• Divine is Everything
• Ultimate Reality
• Brahman
• Multiple Paths

Hinduism's Cultural Expressions

• Holistic way of life
• The laws of Dharma
• Four stages of Life: Student, householder,forest dweller, ascetic
• Karma

NOTIONS ABOUT DEATH

• immortality of the soul
• recarnation
• do not fear death
• do not grieve death of loved ones
• even if one dies, there is no beginning or end.
• the soul passes into reincarnation at the end of this life.
• the eturnal self cannot be destroyed.

- NOTIONS ABOUT DEATH CONTINUED

• the state of mind before death is imperative.
• quickly after death, one is wrapped in a white cloth and cremated.
• the funeral/ ceremony after death is very ritualistic.
• washing deceased, mourners bathing, to stories about the deceased.
• in India, ashes of deceased are scattered by relatives into a holy river such as the Ganges.

Bindi (decoration)
Traditionally worn by married hindu women, also worn by men and children as a decretive religious accessory accentuating the third eye. The third eye is where attention is focused during meditation

Sources

• Samovar, L., Porter, R., McDaniel, E., & Roy, C. (2013). Communication between cultures (8th ed.). Cengage Learning.
• www.sanskritimagazine.com