CASHinduism-Jon

=**Hinduism**=


 * The leader of Hinduism is known as the shankaracharya.
 * Since Hinduism was started so long ago, no one is sure of the founder.
 * Hindu's worship at either a shrine in their home, or in a temple.

Beliefs:
 * Their sacred writings, the four Vedas, have their own divinity.
 * The whole universe and its entire being, goes through endless cycles of recreation.
 * A major belief is karma. What goes around comes around, and when you do something wrong, you are going to get payback in some way.
 * They believe in the souls recreation. If you have lived a good life, you will be reincarnated into something pleasurable.
 * Divine beings exist in unseen worlds and worshiping them in a temple brings them through communion with them.
 * All life is sacred to the Hindu's therefore they practice ahimsa.
 * They believe that no religion teaches the only way to salvation, but that all genuine paths are facets of God's light.

Symbols Gods:
 * Brahma is the creator. He created the world and everything in it.
 * Vishnu is the preserver.
 * Shiva is the destroyer of the world.

Sacred Writings: The last is the Atharva Veda are different from all the others and is next in importance behind the Rig Veda with regard to history and sociology.
 * The primary texts of hindus are the Vedas.
 * There are four Vedas, the first is the Rig Veda is a collection of inspired songs and hymns.
 * The second is Sama Veda which is a purely liturgical collection of melodies.
 * The third is Yajur Veda this is also a liturgical collection and was made to meet the demands of ceremonial religion.

Practices:
 * They worship their gods with images in home shrines.
 * They worship by kneeling and folding their hands.
 * Most Hindus pray to a deity, which is usually kept at home.

Festivals or Holidays:
 * The Mahakumbh Mela is when millions of Hindus, pilgrims, and people from around the world converge for the Mahakumbh Mela.
 * Dewali is one of the biggest festivals of the Hindu's which is celebrated with great enthusiasm. The festival is celebrated for five continuos where the third days is celebrated as the main Dewali "Festival of Lights."

Symbols:
 * The Om is the most important symbol in Hinduism. It is included in every prayer. Its also associated with every shrine.