Hinduism

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Hinduism
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The Nature Of Hinduism

• Hinduism is considered an Umbrella Religion
  because is absorbs all other religious beliefs
  and gods. (Gods as part of the whole reality of
  Brahman)
• It has no founder, no fixed doctrine, no common
  words.
• Monism they believe that everything is a part
  of one reality Brahman.
• Polytheistic they also believe in the existence
  of many gods (330 million Indian gods)
• who are all part of the one God, Brahman.
• (These gods are all different aspects of
• Brahmans)

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• Sacred Cow symbol of the human obligation to
  protect the weak, the oppressed, and the
  handicapped.
• Doctrine of Non-Violence (Ahimsa) believe that
  Brahman permeates the world, so it is wrong to
  kill anything it is an attack on Brahman
• Many Hindus are vegetarians.

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Karma and Samsara The Flow of Life

• Karma
• under the law of Karma (action), you are born
  into a situation in life that is merited by the
  deeds of your former life
• Samsara the process of rebirth (transmigration)
• right life leads to rebirth into a higher
  station in life
• a person must go through countless rebirths
  before they reach the ultimate state of release
  and reunion with Brahman (moksha)

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Cyclical Time

• samsara also refers to the Hindu notion of time
• after billions of years of existence all of
  creation is dissolved and enters a state of
  suspended being when Brahman alone exists
• the world is recreated, society reformed and
  scriptures recomposed.
• Cosmology an explanation regarding the nature
  of the universe
• it is important to understand what the universe
  is, and why it is, but there are no easy obvious
  answers
• Hindus deal with the universe as it is now,
  seeking salvation from the worlds bonds

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Law and Order

• Karma (actions or deeds) and dharma (ethical
  duty) link the divine to this world.
• Karma is best understood as the moral law of
  cause and effect it is the law of nature.
• Every action causes a reaction
• Is connected to reincarnation (and samsara),
  because our past lives are directly connected to
  our present lives.
• Dharma is the complete rule of life for every
  activity there is a way of acting that conforms
  to dharma.
• closest to our understanding of religion.

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Ultimate Reality Belief

• Ultimate Reality
• Ultimate Reality is absolute and unknowable
  Brahman is a remote transcendental force which is
  this ultimate reality.
• Belief
• only Brahman is reality everything our senses
  experience is an illusion (Maya)
• Atman the soul of human beings
• The soul of man is Brahman expressed in a
  personal form, thus Atman is Brahman, and Brahman
  is Atman.
• Humans are blinded by the illusion of the world.
  Life prevents our union with Brahman. Death
  leads only to rebirth.
• Hope of the Hindus release from Maya
  (Illusions) and union with Brahman

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Development of Hinduism

• Occurred over a 5000 year period, in 3 distinct
  historical periods or stages
• The Pre-Vedic Period (2500 1500 BCE)
• in the Indus Valley in northern India, where a
  mother goddess was worshipped she was a
  predecessor to the many goddesses worshipped in
  India today
• sacrifices made to a horned, three-faced god
  (early form of the Trimurti)
• may have practiced renunciation rites and
  exercise like yoga.

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• The Vedic Period (1500 600 BCE)
• the Aryans invaded northern India in the middle
  of the second millennium BCE, imposing their gods
  and elaborate system of sacrifice on the
  residents.
• Marked the origin of the Vedas (veda seeing
  or knowing), the earliest Hindu scripture.
• Traditions focus on this world rituals are aimed
  at maintaining a social order that will ensure
  for the individual a long and robust life
  afterlife is believed to be a continuation of
  this life.

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• The Upanishadic Period (600 BCE present)
• Upanishad literally means to sit down before a
  teacher
• The last book of the Vedas, the Upanishads are
  different from them they seek liberation from
  the world they advocate withdrawal from society
  and the use of meditation and techniques
  associated with asceticism (severe exercises in
  self-denial).
• The tension between fulfilling a social role and
  renouncing the world totally has been a focus of
  Hindu writings of this period.

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Hindu Scripture

• strong oral tradition
• 2 groups
• 1)Shruti
• as heard or as revealed to man
• the revealed word of God
• natural law
• most revered (honoured)
• the Vedas oldest and most revered highest in
  authority in all matters (religious, philosophic,
  or practical)
• written in rhythmic verse, in Sanskrit (language)
• mantras what is said when trying to realize God
• Aum most powerful mantra sound in the universe

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• 2) Smriti
• as remembered
• tend to be stories
• - Upanishads
• explanation of the teaching of the Vedas
• the source of Hindu doctrines, Gods realization
  and ethical teaching
• - Brahmans
• another explanation of the Vedas

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• deal with worship rituals and their religious
  significance
• - Laws of Manu
• Hindu set of laws
• Social and religious laws set out by a man
  considered and equivalent to Moses
• 2 Epics (also Smriti) very long poems describing
  the actions of ancient heros
• Ramayana Mahabharata

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Offshoots of Hinduism

• Sikhism
• founded by Guru Nanak (1469 1539 CE) a Hindu
  born into the ruler warrior caste vision of
  the True Name
• Nanak abandoned his family to absorb himself in
  prayer, fasting, and meditation
• Was influenced by both Hindus and Muslims
  followers believe he was charged with a
  redemptive mission to convert them to a more
  socially responsible faith
• Kept Hindu concepts of reincarnation and
• karma, rejected non-violence
• Accepted Muslim idea of submission
• to God

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• Believed in need for obedience to divinely
  directed human gurus (Nanak was the first, plus
  nine others)
• Fifth guru Arjun (1563 1606) compiled a sikh
  Bible Guru Granth
• Rest of the later gurus focussed on military the
  tenth and final guru, Gobind Singh instituted a
  military order open to any caste member to become
  free and fearless soldiers, members of the Khalsa
• Formal worship occurs in a temple
• 20 million in the world
• have distinctive clothing usually wear white
• and a turban maintain their customs and
  languages

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• Jainism
• founded by Mahaiva (c. 599 527 BCE)
• arose in Northern India during the Axial Period
• Mahariva (the great hero) claimed to be the
• last of 24 Tirthankras (pathmakers) who have
• planted the seeds of Jainism.
• 2000000 Jains in India in 2 main sects

sky-clad southern sect monks naked no
salvation for women white-clad northern
sect abandoned nakedness salvation for women.
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• strong opposition to caste system, strong
  reverence for life (ahimsa)
• all things separated into 2 classes living
  matter possessed of souls and non-living matter.
• All living forms were once pure souls, but they
  became filled with the fine dust of karma
  removal of this dust allows the soul to float
  freely to salvation must acquire the Three
  Jewels.
• Right knowledge Jainist creed
• Right faith believing the creed
• Right conduct following the creed, especially
  non-violence
• most are vegetarian, and reject jobs that call
  for killing of any kind.

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• Buddhism
• has its roots in Hinduism
• also had a great effect on Hinduism need to
  recognize the unity of Brahman (the cosmic Self)
  and atman (the personal soul) in order to achieve
  salvation.

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Hindu Deities

• by saying that there are 330 million gods
• and goddesses in Hinduism Hindus mean
• that there are too many gods to be counted,
• yet they are all images of the Ultimate Reality.
• Brahman is manifested in creation as the
• many Hindu gods and goddesses
• The three primary forms of Brahman symbolize the
  cycle of life
• The Trimurti
• Brahma the creator four forces and four arms
  considered above worship
• Vishnu the preserver attentive to earthly
  matters
• Shiva the destroyer indifferent to earthly
  matters calls to liberation

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• Avatars
• the incarnation of a god or goddess who has
  descended to the world to rid it of evil.
• Two most popular Krishna (also a god) and Rama
• Krishna popular god in Hinduism who offered
  hope that people can work hard and be freed from
  illusion, reaching union with Brahman.
• Rama - "the embodiment of truth, of morality, the
  ideal son, the ideal husband, and above all, the
  ideal king."
• Guatama the Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, is
  also considered an avatar.

Krishna
Rama
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• There are also female forms of the Ultimate
  Reality
• Saraswati - goddess of learning, literature, and
  music, associated with Brahma.
• Lakshmi - goddess of prosperity, good fortune and
  beauty associated with Vishnu.
• Parvati - the Divine Mother, often represents
  Devi, the Great Goddess, when presented in her
  milder form, and connected with Shiva Can be
  represented with wilder side as Durga, riding on
  the back of a tiger or Kali, the black figure who
  delivers justice.

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The Caste System and Duty

• while Hindus are very tolerant of individual
  beliefs, most are less tolerant of straying from
  ones social group in Hindu society, called
  castes.
• the Aryans first introduced a three-fold caste
  system into India a fourth caste was added
  later.
• the castes are related to karma and samsara in
  that caste is dependant action upon action in the
  previous life.

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• The four castes (highest to lowest)
• Brahmins
• the highest caste priests
• from families who are considered purest
• wisest and most learned.
• Kshatriyas
• chiefs and warriors
• rule and protect society
• Vaishya
• merchants, farmers, artisans
• Shudra
• the servant class
• they serve those in the other levels
• not permitted to study scripture

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• Below the lowest caste are the aspishya or
  untouchables. These families are considered
  defiled (impure) because of the degrading jobs
  they have in society (like cleaning human waste).
  It is also believed that they, in some way,
  lived a vile, unacceptable previous life.
• escape from caste is not possible until death.
  Fidelity to dharma (duty) demands that a person
  submit willingly to the social status,
  occupation, eating habits, dress, and religious
  rituals prescribed by the caste.

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• After death, one is either reborn to a higher
  form, a lower form, or into the experience of
  release and reunion with Brahman know as Moksha.
• The caste system is illegal today (thanks in
  great part to Mohadas Ghandi, ), though most
  Hindus still observe it. Mahatma Gandhi social
  reformer in India spent most of his life living
  out the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita (part of
  the Hindu Scripture), in which Krishna teaches
  that renunciation of the world is the surrender
  of selfish action. His campaign was to teach
  non-violence and fearlessness. He worked for the
  abolition of the Untouchables and independence
  from British rule.

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Three Paths to Liberation

• There are three paths to liberation
• The Path of Action
• selfless to others
• right actions are performed for the sake of
  Brahman
• The Path of Knowledge
• 3 steps
• learning from the outside
• thinking internal reflection
• viewing seeing from Gods point of view
• use meditation to see how the person is attached
  to this world

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• The Path of Devotion
• most common
• pure, lifelong devotion to Brahman
• Yoga - A type of training designed to discipline
  the entire human person mind, body, and soul
  designed to help attain moksha

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Stages of Life

• for men of the three higher castes following the
  Path of Action
• Student
• 10 20 years of study practice of chastity and
  other virtues and rituals under a guru (teacher)
• Householder
• marriage fulfillment of duties to caste, family
  and community
• Hermit
• sexual abstinence and retirement into solitude
  for meditation and prayer
• Spiritual Pilgrim
• a return to society as a wandering ascetic,
  preparing for death and final liberation

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Hindu Worship Festivals

• may worship at home or at temples most homes
  have shrines
• performed either individually or by a group of
  people
• in preparation, they must purify themselves
  washing, dressing
• Holi
• most popular of all rituals
• takes place in the spring dedicated to Krishna
• normally forbidden behaviour allowed act as a
  member of other castes
• celebrations, practical joking

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• Divali
• joyous autumnal festival national festival of
  India garland of lights
• beginning of a new year a fresh start new
  house paint, banking
• special devotion to Lakshmi fireworks,
  gift-giving
• Puja (acts of reverence)
• common ritual, often performed in shines in the
  home daily
• begins with washing, symbolizing purity of mind
  and body also wash statue of god.
• water symbol of purification and love
• a mark, or tilak is applied to forehead red
  in colour to signify blood (calls the life-giving
  essences of the god)

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• flower offered showers image of god with garland
  of flowers or petals
• dresses image of god in red to signify a more
  personal level
• lamps are lit (fire is a key part of Hindu
  rituals) illumination desire for spiritual
  light within and around self prayers of request
  offered
• offering of fruit made (later shared by worshiper
  and others to show closeness to god)
• bowing before god, praying with the Vedas
• actual rituals vary by caste (the higher the
  caste, the more complex the ritual

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• Kumbh Mela
• once every twelve years, millions of people
  gather to worship at the Ganges River, or Mother
  Ganges (people worship there daily)
• Ugadi
• Hindu New Year
• officially at the beginning of the Indian summer
  though may be at other times
• rituals to welcome the New Year asking for
  gifts from god
• make Rangdi coloured patterns on the ground
  outside (words or greeting)

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• Pilgrimages
• go to worship at special places (religious duty)
• often end at a temple 12 have been identified s
  especially important 4 of greatest importance
  Badrinath, Rameshwaram, Puri, and Dwarka
• 2 Reasons for Festivals
• celebrate events in the lives of the gods
• mark the changing seasons

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Hinduism and Christianity

• Hinduism
• - Salvation is self directed, it depends on your
  own efforts.
• - Many Gods (aspects of Brahman)
• - No fixed
• Doctrines
• Sacred Books Moral Teaching

• Christianity
• - Only Jesus Can Save us from our sins.
• - Only one God
• - Official set of
• Doctrines
• Books (Bible)
• Moral Teaching

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• - Reincarnation soul gets as many chances as
  needed
• - Atman exists in all people
• - Moksha Goal in life to disappear
• - Priest direct, not perform rituals
• - Rituals usually solitary or Family based

• - Soul only gets one chance
• - One soul to one person
• - Goal in life is eternal happiness with God
• - Priests lead religious rituals
• - Most rituals are congregational

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• Hindus do not see themselves as participants with
  God in making the world a better place to live
  Hinduism is basically world-denying
• Christians see themselves as the hands of God
  whose purpose it is to bring Gods kingdom to the
  earth. Christianity is world-transforming
• this is changing, as Hinduism is becoming more
  involved in civil and human rights in India the
  caste system is now illegal

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Women in Hinduism

• traditionally, women are to be daughters, wives,
  and mothers, and live under the protection of a
  man
• purdah (curtain, in Persian) the custom of
  veiling and secluding women (both Hindu and
  Muslim) in India
• requires participation of both men and women
• men and women communicate only with their own
  spouse men cannot see other women, so they
  are not tempted
• marriages are often arranged by the parents and
  the children rarely meet each other before. The
  wife generally moves in with the husbands family.
  Often they are married for several years
  before actually living together.