2.2.10

Hindu Deities

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Hindu Deities

Illustrative background for Deities and BrahmanIllustrative background for Deities and Brahman ?? "content

Deities and Brahman

  • Hindus worship many gods and goddesses, known as deities.
  • Each deity shows a different part of the divine. For example, love, strength, or wisdom.
  • The deities are expressions of the one ultimate reality: Brahman.
  • Brahman is infinite and formless, but appears in many ways that people can understand.
    • Hindus worship in different ways, but believe in one divine truth.
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Monotheism, Polytheism, and Pantheism

  • Hindu Dharma accepts many ways of understanding God.
  • Some Hindus see their faith as monotheistic. This means they believe in one supreme God (Brahman).
  • Others see it as polytheistic. This means they worship many gods and goddesses.
  • Others see it as pantheistic. This means God is present in every person, animal, and nature.
  • Many Hindus think all ideas fit together: one divine reality with many forms.
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Unity in diversity

  • There is unity in diversity.
    • Many paths, but all leading to the same truth.
  • Hindu Dharma teaches respect for all beliefs and ways of worship.
    • It is a flexible and open religion that welcomes different understandings of God.

Examples of Hindu Deities

Brahman does not have a body. The main deities of Hinduism have specific roles and personalities. They are often represented in images.

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Shiva

  • Shiva is the Supreme Being in Shaivism.
    • The followers of Shaivism regard Shiva as the god who destroys what is imperfect, so there can be renewal.
  • Lots of images of Shiva show him as the Lord of the Dance because dancing symbolises balance.
    • Sometimes he is a yogi, in meditation.
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Vishnu

  • Vishnu is the Supreme Being in Vaishnavism.
  • Vishnu is the protector of the universe. He represents the idea of goodness and preservation.
  • Vishnu is often represented in Hindu iconography as a bejewelled man.
    • Sometimes with blue skin and four arms.
    • He may hold a flower as a symbol of purity.
  • Hindus believe that he has been incarnated as figures who fight against evil.
    • Most notably as Krishna and Rama, who are often represented in art.
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Ganesh

  • Ganesh (or Ganesha) takes the form of a man with the head of an elephant.
    • He is the Lord of Good Fortune and is believed to bring prosperity.
  • He often has many arms. Each arm carries an item of symbolic importance.
    • This could be sweets, symbolising the reward of a good life.
    • Or a lotus flower, which symbolises enlightenment.

Jump to other topics

1Year 7

1.1Origins of Abrahamic Faith

1.2Judaism

1.3Christianity

1.4Disciplinary Knowledge

2Year 8

2.1Islam

2.2Hindu Dharma (Hinduism)

2.3Buddhism

2.4Sikhi

2.5Atheism

2.6Philosophy of Religion

2.7Disciplinary Knowledge

3Year 9

3.1Life & Death

3.2Extremism

3.3Equality

4Additional Concepts

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