ACSHinduism-Claire

Hinduism **Beliefs**
 * Believe in one supreme being
 * Believe in the divinity of the four vedas
 * Believe the universe undergoes endless cycles of creation, preservation, and dissolution
 * Believe in karma
 * believe the soul reincarnates
 * believe that divine beings exist in unseen world and temple worship creates a communication with these devas and gods
 * believe that all life is sacred and therefore practice ahimsa
 * Believe that no religion teaches the only way to salvation above all others

**Gods** in hinduism there are hundreds of gods, among the most important and celebrated are: **Brahma:** Known as the creator **Sacred writings include vedas and upanishads ** **Practices Most hindus pray to a diety which is usually kept in the reserved position in the home. They pray by kneeling and holding their hands together and will also make offerings to their god (they choose a god depending on what they need: luck, courage, ect.) of things such as fruits, nuts, and sweets. They may also do this in temple. Some advocate more spiritual practices such as meditation and yoga. It is considered good practice to pray two times a day in a temple or at home. Every home has a shrine at the center of it. In temple worship almost always include the recition of the Lord or of Saints or gods. They can also sometimes worship in meldious and poetic songs with accompanying instruments. F e s t  i v a l s    Diwali- is the festival of lights, celebrating the lighting diyas. Usually celebrated in the month of October or November. People illuminate their homes with diyas and colorful lights. Holi- is c elebrated in March, it is a spring festival that lasts five days. Bonfires are lit and colored powders and dyes are thrown over people. Stories are told about Lord Krishna, a form of God. Krishna used to pour clored water over his friends as a joke: he was very playful. Symbols of Hinduism is mainly the symbol Aum. It is the sound heard in deepest meditation and is said to be the name most suited for God. **
 * Vishnu**: known as the preserver
 * Shiva:** known as the destroyer