CASHinduism-Mackenzie

India has the highest population on Hindus but it is a religion practiced around the world.
=** Hindu Beliefs: **=

And the law of Karma that determins ones' destiny in both this life in the next. This varies on ones' actions in this life and the previous.
=Hindu Gods: =

Hinduisms Main Gods make up the Hindu Trinity

 * ====Shiva: know as the destroyer of the world, has taken many forms that gives lessons to both Gods and Demons====
 * ====Brahma: the creator, was formed in the naval of a sleeping Vishnu, created the //prajapatis// the father of all men====
 * ====Vishnu: the preserver, the peace loving defiy of the Hindu Trinity, preserver and protector of creation====

=** ~The Vedas **= ==== ** Vedas are the Hindu scared writings.The Vedas are the four anceint Indian collections of hyms, incarnations, and rituals from the late Sahmita period (stated above). The word Veda means knowledge.They consist of the four Vedas known as.... ** ====  ** The Rg Veda The Arthava Veda The Sama Veda The Yajur Veda The Vedas are the primary texts of Hinduism. They also had a vast influence on Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism. Traditionally the text of the Vedas was coeval with the universe. Scholars have determined that the Rig Veda, the oldest of the four Vedas, was composed about 1500 B.C., and codified about 600 B.C. It is unknown when it was finally committed to writing, but this probably was at some point after 300 B.C. ** =** Practices ~**=

The Hindus use a special prayer book that symboliizes the idea of God. They also use rituals to flaunt their beliefs.
Japa: reciting mantra caphrase which optimizes a divine quality or praises one of the Hindu Gods for a specific number of times or length in time. They will often use prayer beads to help keep track of the number of repetitions. =** Festivals! **=

Diwalia: festival of light, Hindus typically fast from fish, meat, eggs and sexual intercourse for 2 weeks before getting together for a huge feast that brings together familly and friends. And they usually go to a Mandir daily to pray. Raksha Bandhan: represents the bond between family Holi: festival of colors, people can get away with almost anything on Holi by saying "Don't mind, it's Holi!" (Hindu "Burana mano Holihai!") Divali: Hindu New Year =** ~Symbols~ **=

**Aum(Om)**
**Represents several important triads** **Om mystecially embodies the essence of the entire universe AUM is a bow, the arrow if the self and Brahma(absolue reality) is said to be the mark The essence of all beings is the Earth The essence of the Earth is Water The essence of Water is the Plant The essence of the Plant is Speech The essence of Speech is RIgveda The essence of Rigveda is the Samaveda The essence of Samaveda is AUM(om)**
 * **The Three Worlds- Earth, Atmosphere, and Heaven**
 * **The Three Major Gods- Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva**
 * **The Three Sacred Vedic Scriptures- Rg. Yajur, Sama**

=Lingas=

The linga is a simple stylized phallus that nearly always rests on pedestal of a stylized **yoni**, or female sex organ. Together, the linga and yoni represent the power of creative energy and fertility. Lingas range from temporary versions made of sandalwood paste or river clay for a particular rite to more elaborate ones of wood, precious gems, metal, or stone. There are precise rules of proportion to be followed for the height, width, and curvature of the top. In the primary religious ritual of devotees of Shiva, the linga is honored with offerings of flowers, milk, pure water, fruit, leaves and rice.