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Hinduism
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)
• 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.
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)
Cyclical Time
• samsara also refers to the Hindu notion of time
• after billions of years of existence all of creation is
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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 world’s bonds
Law and Order
• Karma (“actions” or “deeds”) and dharma (ethical
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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.
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
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.
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.
The Upanishadic Period (600 BCE – present)
• Upanishad literally means “to sit down before” a
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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.
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
2) Smriti
• “as remembered”
• tend to be stories
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- Upanishads
explanation of the teaching of the Vedas
the source of Hindu doctrines, Gods
realization and ethical teaching
- Brahmans
another explanation of the Vedas
• deal with worship rituals and their
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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
Offshoots of Hinduism
Sikhism:
• founded by Guru Nanak (1469 – 1539 CE) a Hindu
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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
• Believed in need for obedience to divinely directed
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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
Jainism:
• founded by Mahaiva (c. 599 – 527 BCE)
• arose in Northern India during the Axial Period
• Mahariva (“the great hero”) claimed to be the
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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.
• strong opposition to caste system, strong reverence
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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.
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.
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
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
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.
The Caste System and Duty
• while Hindus are very tolerant of individual beliefs,
most are less tolerant of straying from one’s 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.
• 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
* 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.
• After death, one is either reborn to a higher form, a
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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.
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 God’s point of view
• use meditation to see how the person is attached to
this world
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
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
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
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)
• flower offered; showers image of god with
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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
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)
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
Hinduism and Christianity
Hinduism
- Salvation is self
directed, it depends on
your own efforts.
Christianity
- Only Jesus Can Save us
from our sins.
- Many Gods (*aspects of
Brahman)
- Only one God
- No fixed
Doctrines
Sacred Books
Moral Teaching
- Official set of
Doctrines
Books (Bible)
Moral Teaching
- Reincarnation – soul
gets as many chances as
needed
- Soul only gets one
chance
- Atman exists in all
people
- One soul to one person
- Moksha – Goal in life to
disappear
- Goal in life is eternal
happiness with God
- Priest direct, not
perform rituals
- Priests lead religious
rituals
- Rituals usually solitary
or Family based
- Most rituals are
congregational
• 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 God’s
kingdom to the earth. Christianity is “worldtransforming”
• this is changing, as Hinduism is becoming
more involved in civil and human rights in
India – the caste system is now illegal
Women in Hinduism
• traditionally, women are to be daughters, wives, and
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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.