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HINDUISM

HINDUISM. SUPREME POWER, DEITIES, and AVATARS. Some people describe Hinduism as polytheism, meaning a religion of many gods Some people describe it as monotheistic, meaning a religion of one God Some people describe it as monistic, where God is an impersonal and unknowable entity

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HINDUISM

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  1. HINDUISM SUPREME POWER, DEITIES, and AVATARS

  2. Some people describe Hinduism as polytheism, meaning a religion of many gods • Some people describe it as monotheistic, meaning a religion of one God • Some people describe it as monistic, where God is an impersonal and unknowable entity • Hinduism tries to reconcile these three different concepts of God! • Scholars refer to this as Hinduism’s “tolerant characteristic” Hindu Concept of God

  3. Hindus believe that there is only one Supreme Being or force, but that being or force is manifested in different forms, called deities. • The Supreme Deity or force is Brahman, and every other deity is a different expression of Brahman. • Most Hindus devote themselves to one personal deity, such as Shiva or Vishnu, but almost all Hindus worhsip and honour other deities as well. Beliefs

  4. According to some Hindu traditions, three deities together symbolize the cycle of existence. The Hindu Trinity

  5. The Hindu Trinity

  6. Brahma: The Creator

  7. Creator of the Universe • Four faces, looking to the four corners of the earth; showing that he is all-seeing and all-knowing. • Holding numerous items (i.e. Vedas representing knowledge) • Sits on a lotus- symbol of glorious existence • Least worshipped of the three gods • Not to be confused with Brahman the supreme force Brahma: The Creator

  8. Vishnu: The Preserver

  9. His role is to return to the earth in troubled times and restore the balance of good and evil. • Often depicted with blue skin and dressed in yellow. • Holds four items (i.e. a discus, or chakra, symbolizes the wheel of time or to live a good life. • Rests on a coiled serpent, who represents the sleeping universe Vishnu: The Preserver

  10. Shiva: The Destroyer

  11. Shiva is believed to be the destroyer of the world, in order to rebuild it. • Shiva can destroy imperfections of the world and pave the way for beneficial change. • He has a third eye, representing wisdom and untamed energy. • Cobra necklace represents the power over all the dangerous creatures of the world. • Three pronged trident is a reminder of the trinity. Shiva: The Destroyer

  12. Hinduism has many deities, and its male deities often have female partners. • Without the feminine side, these deities are seen as incomplete. • All the female deities embody a strong, cosmic feminine energy known as shakti. Female Partners

  13. Female partner of Brahma • Goddess of wisdom, learning, the arts, and music • Often shown playing a musical instrument Saraswati

  14. Female partner of Vishnu • Goddess of wealth and prosperity • Usually depicted with elephants surrounding her Lakshmi

  15. Shiva’s wife • Represents marital happiness • Mother of Ganesha • Kind and gentle deity • Often depicted with family Parvati

  16. Some other deities… GANESHA: the remover of obstacles KALI: the goddess of destruction and change

  17. Avatars are incarnations or manifestations of a deity in earthly form • Hindus believe that Vishnu descends to the world from time to time in human form to maintain order and save the world from danger. • Vishnu has appeared in the form of 9 different avatars so far including Rama and Krishna, heroes from famous Indian epics. • His 9th avatar is SiddarthaGuatama, the Buddha (founder of Buddhism) • Hindus wait for the 10th avatar, Kalkin, who will rid the world of oppression. Avatars

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