NATIHinduism-Stacey


 * Hinduism ** [[image:aum_470x470.jpg width="93" height="93" align="right"]]
 * Q: ** **Who was the founder of Hinduism? What year did they become the founder?**
 * A: ** There is no founder of Hinduism. They believe that their founder, or rescuer has not come yet. Since there is no founder of Hindusim, there is no known year that it was founded. All that is known is that it was founded around 4,000 years ago.

They also do other things too. When they worship in shrines they:
 * Q: ** **Who are the religious leaders of Hinduism?**
 * A: **One leader is Mohandas Gandhi. He was a non-violent protest. He was born in 1869 in India. When he died, he was talking a walk. He was assassinated.
 * Q: ** **What is the place of worship for Hinduism?**
 * A: ** A temple is one of the places where Hindus worship. They also worship in shrines, their homes, and in a Mandir which is like a Hindu church. When they worship in a temple they do the following:
 * Take off their shoes
 * Wash feet
 * Ring a bell
 * Ring a bell to purify themselves
 * Aum, which is like a hum


 * Q: ** **Where did Hinduism begin? Where is it now practiced today?**
 * A: ** Hinduism started in the Indus Valley. The Indus Valley is located where India, Nepal, Sir Lanka, and Malaysia are. It is now spreading to the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Hinduism is practiced by 14% of the people in the world. That is about 900 million people.


 * Q: ** **What are the main beliefs of Hindusim?**
 * A: ** Hinduism has many beliefs. Here are a few of them:
 * Karma, they believe that this is what is used to determine their reincarnation. Whether they will go to Moksha or be reincarnated into a lower or higher class.
 * Moksha, this is what the Hindus call heaven. You go there when u have lived a good life and are not reincarnated.
 * Dharma, be honest and good, a good worker, and don't hurt animals
 * Samsara, this is the name they use for reincarnation. It is the continuous cycle of life. You keep going through this until you live a good life and go to Moksha.
 * Brahman, this is the essence of God in different forms.
 * They believe that the soul is eternal and that all living things are sacred. They believe that the Ganges River is sacred and it washes away sin.


 * Q: ** **Does Hinduism have a God(s)?**
 * A: ** They have a supreme spirit named Brahman. They have a God named Trimurti. He is the most important creator, destroyer, and preserver. Another God is Vishnu. He is a preserver. Although he is not as important as Trimurti. Then another God is Siva. He is also a destroyer. He, also, is not as important as Trimurti though.
 * Q: ** **What is (are) the sacred writing(s) of Hinduism? What do they contain?**
 * A: ** The sacred writings are called the Vedas. There are four of them. They are called Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yajor Veda, Atharva Veda. They consist of the Samhita, a Brahmana, an Aranyaka, and an Upanishads. They are different types of writings and cantain different types of stories.


 * Q: ** **How do HIndus worship? How do they practice their beliefs?**
 * A: ** They practice fulfilling the duties of their life of go to Moksha. They practice Yoga. That is the practice of a medatative move. They also practice Puja. This is a ritual Hindus preform every morning and night in which they bathe and dress before eating.


 * Q: ** **What are Hindu festivals? How, when,and why do they celebrate them?**
 * A: ** They have 3 festivals.
 * Devali- Hindu New Year. They put candles in a window to celebrate the New Year.
 * Holi- Spring festival. They splash colored water and powder on them.
 * Raksha- Hindu wedding


 * Q: ** **What are symbols of Hinduism and what do they represent?**
 * A: ** They have a symbol called the Swastiska. It is an acient symbol that resembles a cross with bent arms. To Hindus it is a sign of peace and good luck.