Hinduism By Elisha L ai M s. Car penter
2005
Hinduism Written By Elisha Lai God
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There is a one god with other gods taking on the form of that one.
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There are 330 million gods.
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God is all. All is god.
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All is god. The universe, all reality, is united, called Brahman.
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Brahman is God in three persons:
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Brahma is the creator.
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Vishnu is the preserver, the one that comes to earth to restore order when dharma (order) is threatened.
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Shiva is the destroyer.
Creation
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Divine beings exist in unseen worlds, and prayer and meditation create union with them.
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All life is sacred.
Man kind
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Upon death, man is reincarnated (or experiences the transmigration of the soul) until all karmas have been resolved.
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Karma, one’s deeds, thoughts and actions that determine one’s future and future life.
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The inequalities of life are a result of people’s karma. Every experience is a result of one’s karma.
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Man is divine, one with everything, one with god.
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Man does not realize his divinity, and is preoccupied with this temporary world.
Mo ral Order
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Hindus are to practice ahisma, the non-injury to all living things.
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One’s karma, determines the caste into which she/he will be born. Only those born in the top three levels of the caste system are eligible to go to Nirvana, the release from reincarnation (samsara) and earthly living.
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The Vedas are the holy books of Hinduism, the revelations of the gods.
Pu rpose
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All religions point to god.
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Four goals of Hindus:
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Kama (pleasure)
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Artha (success) and wealth
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Dharma (moral duty) is renouncing personal pleasure and power and seeks to do the common good.
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Moksha (enlightenment) is freedom from the material world, entrance into Nirvana.
Man can either get to Nirvana through doing good things, meditation or devotion (dedicating one’s life to a deity).