2. SOME FACTS ABOUT HINDUISM
• It is a major religious and cultural tradition of South Asia, which developed from
Vedic religion.
• There are nine hundred million Hindus around the world, 80% of the Indian
population are Hindu.
• Hinduism has no single founder, scripture or set of teachings.
• Originated near the river Indus near modern day Pakistan.
• In 2001 there were 559,000 Hindus in Britain around 1% of the population.
• It is the third most popular religion in the world.
3. BASIC HINDU BELIEFS
• Hindus believe that existence is a cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, governed by
Karma. Karma is the law of cause and effect by which individuals create their own
destiny by their actions. They believe the next incarnation is always dependent on
how the previous life was lived.
• They respect other faiths because no particular religion teaches the only way to
salvation.
• The main Hindu texts are the Vedas. Veda is a Sanskrit word meaning 'knowledge'.
• Hindus believe in one supreme, Brahman, being represented as deities or Gods.
• Hindus worship many Gods, such as; Shiva, Krishna, Rama, Durga, Kali.
4. BASIC HINDU BELIEFS
• They believe that a satguru is essential to know the Transcendent Absolute.
• They also believe that good conduct, purification, pilgrimage and meditation are
vital.
• All life is sacred and so practice ahimsa (non-injury)
• Hindus believe they may be reincarnated into other animals or as another human.
• They believe that if they live by Dharma (path of truth, duty, religion and good
behaviour) they are more likely to be reincarnated as a higher respected creature.
5. SOME HINDU DEITIES
Shiva ‘The
destroyer.’
Brahma ‘The
creator.’
Vishnu ‘The
preserver.’
Ganesha ‘The lord
of success.’
7. HINDU FESTIVALSHoli
• It was originally a spring festival of fertility and harvest.
• Comes from the legend of the evil Holika a demon king.
• It also celebrates Krishna.
• Holi is a colourful festival, with dancing, singing, and throwing of powder paint and coloured
water.
• Bonfires are lit and roasting grains, pop corn, coconut and chick peas are thrown on by
Hindu families.
• The next day, people of all ages go into the streets for fun and paint-throwing. Everyone gets
involved - with no distinctions between caste, class, age or gender.
• Hindus have fun by smearing each other with paint and throwing coloured water at each
other, all done in a spirit of celebration.
8. PLACES OF WORSHIP
• Temple: At a Hindu temple, different parts of the building have a different spiritual or
symbolic meaning.
• Home: Hindus can also worship a shrine at home where offerings can be made and
prayers can be said.
9. HOW WOULD WE TEACH
HINDUISM?
• Firstly, we would introduce the main beliefs and facts about the religion similar to
this PowerPoint.
• When discussing the festivals and main beliefs the use of story books would be
used.
• Puppets would be used for children to reenact stories about the Gods, this would
highlight what they have understood and give it a more hands on approach which
will help children's engagement.
• Children could also dress up as Hindus and partake in role play of worshiping at a
temple or shrine.
The central shrine is the heart of the worshipper
The tower represents the flight of the spirit to heaven
A priest may read, or more usually recite, the Vedas to the assembled worshippers, but any "twice-born" Hindu can perform the reading of prayers and mantras