sociology

Beliefs

· Their religion existed since dawn of humanity

· Human religion

· Vedas, sacred writings

· Bhagavad-Gita

· God as creator

· Every living thing is a manifestation of the sacred

· No beginning or end

· Karma

· Reincarnation

· Real self

· Believes everything changes

· Rebirth

· 4 noble truths

· Life is marked with suffering

· We know the cause of our suffering and can end our suffering

· Path of 8 right practices

Lifestyle

· Don’t eat meat or eat very sparingly

· Caste structure

· No premarital sex

· No alcohol, tobacco, tea, or coffee

· Do not kill

· Do not steal

· Refrain from wrongful sexual behavior

· Do not lie

· Avoid use of intoxicants

Rituals

· Ceremonial cleansing

· Ceremonial cleansings

· Fruit offerings, incense, or flowers to deities

· Daily devotions

· God and goddess festival days

· Birth rituals

· Weddings

· Funerals

· Chant name of Krishna daily

· Shrine or altar in home

· Meditation

· Concentration

· Insight

· Mindfulness

Organization

· Temples

· Zen

· Tantras

· mantras