Hinduism
Erica, William, and Junior
The 5 W's
What: Hinduism is the 3rd largest religion and it is also the oldest. It is the most diverse and complex because it has many Gods (330 million)
Where: Founded in India
When: 5500 BCE in India
Why: There is no specific reason
Main Beliefs
-Hindus believe in the divinity of the four Vedas, the world's most ancient scripture, and venerate the Agamas. These hymns are Gods word and the bedrock of Sanatana Dharma which is the eternal religion
-They believe in a one, all-pervasive Supreme Being who is both immanent and transcendent
-Karma which is the law of cause and effect by which each individual creates his own destiny by his thoughts, words, and deeds
-Soul reincarnations, evolving through many births until all karmas have been resolved
-Divine beings exist in unseen worlds and that temple worship, rituals, sacraments, and personal devotionals, a communion with these devas and Gods.
-All life is sacred. To be loved and revered and therefore practice ahimsa, non injury, in thought, word and deed
-No religion teaches the only way to salvation above all others, but that all genuine paths are facets of Gods Light, deserving tolerance and understanding.
Special Rituals and Practices
-Ancient system of medicane
Hatha Yoga:
-One of the paths leading to the ultimate goal of Raja Yoga
Kundalini Yoga:
-A tantric form of yoga focused on awakening the kundalini. It lies at the base of the spine
-Namaste Greeting:
-When you pull together both palms of the hands before the heart, and lightly bowing the head
Puja:
-A ritual that some Hindus perform every morning after bathing and dressing but prior to taking any food or drink
The Sadhu (holy man):
-When Hindus choose to leave their home and dedicate their lives to spiritual disciplines. They renounce their possessions and devote themselves to a particular God and/or meditation
Temples and Temple Ritual: They are designed and built. Rituals and ceremonies take place there.
Places that practice Hinduism:
-Mostly India and Nepal but also the Indian Subcontinent, Southeast Asia, Fiji, Guyana, Trinidad, Mauritius, Suriname, Bali, Australasia, Northern America, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Finland, Sweden, Malaysia, and Switzerland.
History
There is one God but he can take any form.
The millions of other Gods are called Demi-Gods with magnificent and supreme power.
4 Vedas which are the oldest Hindu texts
Malibu Temple (church for Hindu's)
Sources
http://www.gotquestions.org/hinduism.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Hinduism
https://www.himalayanacademy.com/readlearn/basics/nine-beliefs
http://www.ancient.eu/hinduism/