Describe the key points of Hinduism.pptx

Hindu Religion

1. 1 Hinduism and interfaith harmony Waseem Almas

2. 2 One of the world’s oldest religions. Over one billion followers predominantly in India. Derived from a Persian term for inhabitants beyond the Indus River. No single founder, unlike Buddhism or Sikhism. Texts provide rules for rituals, worship, pilgrimage, and daily activities. Introduction to Hinduism

3. 3 Indus Valley Civilization and Early Hinduism Location & Timeline : Present-day Pakistan and northwestern India, flourished between 2500-1700 B.C.E. Major Cities : Harrapa and Mohenjo-Daro. Archaeological Findings : Seals depicting bulls and figures in yogic positions. Terracotta female figures suggesting fertility. Stone and bronze anthropomorphic sculptures. Early prototypes of stone linga (phallic symbols of Shiva).

4. 4 Core Beliefs of Hinduism Belief in Many Gods Hindus believe in many gods.i.e Brahma,Vishnu , Shiva, Ganesh, Karttikeya , Indra and Agni. These gods represent various universal and natural forces . People might focus on worshiping one god but still accept the existence of other gods. Karma: Our actions shape our destiny and that we are responsible for the outcomes of our choices. Reincarnation : Belief that after death, people are reborn in a cycle of life, death, and rebirth.

5. 5 Principal texts of Hinduism The Vedas The  Vedas  are ancient Sanskrit texts of Hinduism. The Vedas are considered   divine revelations  rather than works authored by ordinary individuals . Originated around 2000 to 1500 B.C.E., the Vedas are India’s oldest surviving scriptures . Comprised of hymns, ritual instructions. Mention prominent gods like Indra ( God of thunder, strom , rain) and Agni ( God of communication ) and gods of fire, wind, sun, dawn, darkness, and earth.

6. 6 2 . Mahabharata : Attributed to Vyasa  from the 4th century. A  very long poem  containing  100,000 verses . Chronicles the rivalry between two sets of royal brothers—the  Pandavas  and the  Kauravas —in the  Hastinapura Kingdom . Principal texts of Hinduism 3.Ramayana : Attributed to Valmiki  around the 5th century. A  long poem  containing  24,000 verses . Focuses on the journey of  Rama , an ideal man, who defeats the demon  Ravana  to rescue his abducted wife,  Sita . Themes include  duty , loyalty, righteousness, and courage. Rama’s story is one of  good triumphing over evil .

7. 7 4. Puranas Descriptions of the creation of the universe . Stories of gods , goddesses, kings, heroes, sages i.e Vishnu, Shiva, Durga or Parvati . medicine, astronomy, grammar, and mineralogy. Theology, philosophy, and religious practices. Puranic literature influenced the Bhakti movement in India. ( that salvation could be attained through pure love and devotion to God) Principal texts of Hinduism 5. Tantras The Tantras consist of texts that cover religious rituals, temple design, and proper behavior . Tantric practices focus on using physical energy to achieve spiritual growth .

8. 8 https://youtu.be/o7-i6KLoEkc Hindu temples

9. 9 Hinduism and the practice of faith Hindu worship, called puja, happens at home shrines and local temples. People worship to give thanks, seek help and connect with the divine. Puja occurs daily at home and on specific days at temples, with grand festival celebrations. Priests perform temple rituals like circling, ringing bells, passing flames, and chanting; dance was traditionally included. Puja

10. 10 Interfaith harmony in Vedas and Puranas books ( Rigveda 1.164.46): This verse translates to “Truth is one; the wise call it by various names.” It highlights the unity underlying diverse religious paths. "One should consider oneself to be in the hearts of all living entities and thus should not cause enmity with anyone." ( Bhagavata Puranas 11.2.41)This verse promotes empathy and compassion towards all beings, fostering peaceful coexistence .

11. 11 Total population 4.4 million  ( 2017 census ) (2.14%) of Pakistan's population ) Regions with significant populations Sindh ( 4,176,986 ) (8.7%) Punjab ( 211,641 ) (0.2%) Balochistan ( 49,133 ) (0.4%) Hindu Community in Pakistan

12. 12 In early 2023, 42 cases of abduction, gang-rape, forced conversion, and mob lynching against Hindus were reported . 2006, Lahore : Hindu temple destroyed for commercial building. Mar 2014, PHRM Survey : 95% of Hindu temples converted since 1990. 2014, Larkana : Temple and dharmashala attacked by Muslims. 2019, Ghotki : Three temples vandalized over blasphemy accusations. 2019, Sindh : Temple vandalized; holy books and idols burned. Jan 2020, Chachro , Tharparkar : Temple vandalized; idols and scriptures burned. Dec 2020, Karak : Temple in Teri village attacked and vandalized. Aug 2021, Rahim Yar Khan : Temple attacked by mob; parts burned, idols damaged. Hindu Minorities in Pakistan

13. 13 1.Historical Grievances : Destruction of Hindu temples during medieval Muslim invasions. Reservation of Hindus during Mughal rule. ( Aurangzaib ). 2: Role of colonial power 1857 war. Partition of Bengal (1905 ), Divide and rule policy 1909 act. Representation and Political Power. 3. Foreign policy and National Interests during the inception period . SETO. SENTO, Operation J ibralter lead to 1965 war, 1971. Reasons for contention between Hindus and Muslims

14. 14 4.Kashmir Dispute: The primary and most significant issue between India and Pakistan is the Kashmir dispute. Both countries claim sovereignty over the entire region of Jammu and Kashmir, leading to multiple wars (1947-48, 1965, 1999) and ongoing conflict. The unresolved status of Kashmir remains a flashpoint that periodically escalates tensions and leads to crises. 5.Cross-Border Terrorism: India accuses Pakistan of supporting and harboring militant groups that engage in cross-border terrorism and attacks on Indian soil. Terrorist incidents, such as the Mumbai attacks in 2008, Pathankot attack in 2016 and the Pulwama attack in 2019, have led to severe escalations and near-war situations between the two countries.

15. 15 6.Nuclear Deterrence and Arms Race: Both India and Pakistan possess nuclear weapons, making the region one of the most volatile nuclear flashpoints in the world. The presence of nuclear deterrence strategies and fears of escalation heighten the stakes during periods of crisis. 7. Water Disputes: Water sharing from rivers like the Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab, governed by the Indus Waters Treaty, has been a contentious issue. Disputes over dam construction, irrigation projects, and water scarcity exacerbate tensions, especially in drought-prone regions.

16. 16 8.Political and Diplomatic Tensions: Political differences and diplomatic standoffs often exacerbate crises between India and Pakistan. High-profile incidents, such as the Pulwama attack and subsequent military responses, lead to diplomatic isolation, withdrawal of ambassadors, and suspension of trade and cultural exchanges. 9. Proxy Wars and Regional Influence: Both countries have engaged in proxy wars and support for insurgent groups in neighboring Afghanistan and within each other's territories. Proxy conflicts and geopolitical maneuvers contribute to instability and distrust between the two nations.

17. 17 10.Media and Public Perception: Sensationalist media coverage and nationalistic narratives in both countries often heighten public tensions and exacerbate crises. Misinformation, propaganda, and inflammatory rhetoric escalate public sentiments and pressure governments to take a hardline stance.

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