Download All Roads lead to God

HINDUISM
•World’s oldest religion
”Santana Dharma” – Eternal Religion
•3000 BC
•Indus Valley
•1000 BC – “Aryans” (nobles from Europe
and Asia) migrated to India
•3rd largest religion
•+/- 900 million followers
•“All Roads lead to God”
•AUM – holy sign (represents Brahman)
SACRED BOOKS
1)VEDAS
ancient scriptures
provide knowledge into the divine
provides info into early Aryan civilization
emphasizes sacrifice
can be difficult for most people to understand
2)Upanishads (“sitting down beside”)
fundamental teachings of Hinduism
introduces concepts of Karma, Samsara, Moksha,
Atman, Brahman, Yogas, and Meditation
SACRED BOOKS
3)MAHABARHATA
longest epic poem
details a “family war” that probably
happened
illustrates how “good” Hindus should live
illustrates that choosing God over
individual
strengths and temptations is right
decision
4)BHAGAVAD GITA (“Song of God”)
part of Mahabarhata
discussion between Arjuna/Krishna
Arjuna questions war
Krishna (8th avatar of Vishnu) 2 reasons to fight:
SACRED BOOKS
5) LAW OF MANU – code of behavior
created “Caste System”
“All men are created UNEQUAL”
1)Brahmins – priests (EYES)
2)Kshatriyas – chiefs / warriors (HEAD)
3)Vaishyas – commoners / merchants (ARMS)
4)Shudras – unskilled workers (LEGS)
5)(Dalits) UNTOUCHABLES
TODAY
CASTE
SYSTEM IS
ILLEGAL IN
HINDUISM,
BUT IS STILL
PRESENT IN
HINDU
CULTURE
brahman
Henotheistic
Brahman – God
Created all things
Brahman is in everyone = “Atman”
HINDU IDEAS
Reincarnation – soul (Atman) is continuously reborn until
achieves Moksha
Samsara – continuous cycle of rebirths based on karma
After death, the soul goes to the next world, bearing in mind
the subtle impressions of its deeds, and after reaping their
harvest returns again to this world of action. Thus, he who has
desires continues subject to rebirth.
Yajur Veda, Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 4.4.6
HINDU IDEAS
KARMA – Reap what you sow
According as one acts, so does he
become. One becomes virtuous by
virtuous action, bad by bad action.
Yajur Veda, Brihadaranyaka
Upanishad 4.4.5
QUESTION
Why do you think
religions have ideas
like Karma, Golden
Rule, etc…?
**”Group Karma” – also affects individuals and countries
DHARMA – your job/duty
THESE CONCEPTS DETERMINE YOUR
POSITION IN YOUR NEXT LIFE
GOAL OF HINDUISM
MOKSHA– when soul re-unites with Brahman
**no longer in cycle of reincarnation**
Your “AtmAn” (soul) reunites
with Brahman
HINDU IDEAS
• NO Satan
a)God cannot have a rival / no place God isn’t
b)”Avidya” (Ignorance) is root of evil
c)”Maya” (Illusion) leads to Avidya
• Sets you back in next life – longer to reach Moksha
•Ahimsa – non-violence
• Pottu – 3rd Eye – spiritual awakening
YAMAS
things no one should do
Ahimsa – no harm
Satya – no lies
Asteya – no stealing
Brahmacharya – no
overindulging
Aparigraha – no greed
NIYAMAS
things everyone should do
Saucha – keep clean
Santosha – be content
Tapas – self-discipline
Svadhyaya – study
wisdom of Hinduism
Ishvara Pranidhana –
surrender to God
4 PATHS TO MOKSHA
--PEOPLE ARE DIFFERENT—
1)Karma Yoga – path of work
– Do daily life duties (dharma) without
hope of reward – dedicate acts to god
– Do our best because that is the work God
has put in front of us
– –> FORM OF WORSHIP
2)Jnana Yoga – path of knowledge
– Spiritual knowledge
– Study and learn lessons of the masters
4 PATHS TO MOKSHA cont.
3)Raja Yoga – meditation
– Concentrate so you can reach the “self”
within you and become one with Brahman
4)Bhakti Yoga – path of love
– Devoted to loving a god
– If you truly love Me, you’ll love everyone
– Surrender to God – “hang out with God”