* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
Download Bhagavad Gita - WordPress.com
Dharmaśāstra wikipedia , lookup
History of Shaktism wikipedia , lookup
Hindu nationalism wikipedia , lookup
Neo-Vedanta wikipedia , lookup
Anti-Hindu sentiment wikipedia , lookup
Sri Vaishnavism wikipedia , lookup
International Society for Krishna Consciousness wikipedia , lookup
History of Hinduism wikipedia , lookup
Women in Hinduism wikipedia , lookup
Buddhism and Hinduism wikipedia , lookup
Hinduism in Indonesia wikipedia , lookup
Hinduism in Malaysia wikipedia , lookup
Brahma Sutras wikipedia , lookup
Hindu–Islamic relations wikipedia , lookup
Hindu views on evolution wikipedia , lookup
Bhagavata Purana wikipedia , lookup
LGBT themes in Hindu mythology wikipedia , lookup
Vaishnavism wikipedia , lookup
Svayam Bhagavan wikipedia , lookup
Hindu deities wikipedia , lookup
Mahabharata wikipedia , lookup
HINDUISM The Bhagavad Gita Indian Ascetics and Sadhus PAIR TASK: ■ Is it possible for someone to live a life spiritually meaningful without withdrawing from society? ■ What can someone who does not want to give up family and social obligations do to live the right way? What images come to mind when you read the following extracts: ■ If a thousand suns were to raise in the heavens at the same time, the blaze of their light would resemble the splendor of that supreme spirit. (Bhagavad Gita 11:12) ■ (Bhagavad Gita 11:32) The physicist Robert Oppenheimer ■ When he watched the massive explosion and blinding flash of the mushroom cloud of the first atomic bomb test in New Mexico, Oppenheimer claimed that the two previous verses from the Gita came to his mind. The Perfect Spiritual life? The Gita challenges the general consensus that only ascetics and monks can live a perfect spiritual life through renunciation and emphasises the value of an active spiritual life. ■ Consider the quote in the picture. ■ How can you apply its message to your own life? ■ Try to think of examples. Hindu Sacred Texts & Writings ■ Read the handout p. 81. ■ How many sacred texts are there in Hinduism? ■ How many languages are the texts written in? ■ What has always been the dominant way of transmitting knowledge in Indian culture? ■ What are the principal means of religious instruction in India? ■ What will most Hindus know by heart? ■ Do most Hindus understand Sanskrit? Cosmic Balance ■ The Hindu world view is very different from that of the West ■ Sanatana Dharma – is the unchanging and everlasting law of order in the universe with which all things and all people should live in harmony ■ There has never been a universal doctrinal orthodoxy – that is a ‘creed’ or set of beliefs established by an elite group to which all ‘believers’ must give assent ■ Instead, Hindus operate on a set of assumptions about reality and the world ■ It is every Hindus dharma to uphold an harmonise with the order of the world, which is seen to be continually threatened by the possibility of disorder and disturbance ■ The central value is the good of the whole society and the harmony of the Cosmos – not individual wishes and ambitions – and this profoundly influences ethical beliefs ■ It is a world-affirming ideal, and anyone who acts contrary to dharma, even in trivial ways, is seen as threatening the survival of all Vedas Read your handout p. 81 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. What language are they written in? How many parts are there? Why are the first 3 parts significant? Why are the Vedas so respected? Do most Indians understand the content of the Vedas? 6. What are the Upanishads? The ‘Upanishads’ ■ The ‘Upanishads’ say that the universe is a manifestation of Brahman. ■ Brahman – Ultimate truth, supreme Cosmic Spirit ■ Brahmin – the highest class in Hinduism (4) – the priestly class ■ Brahma – the Hindu god of creation ■ The gods involved in the story of creation are Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva ■ Brahma - the generator ■ Vishnu – the originator ■ Shiva – the destroyer GOD – Brahman supreme Cosmic Spirit Brahma Shiva Vishnu THE HINDU TRINITY - TRIMURTI TASK: ■ Read pages 82-83 of your handout. ■ What is the difference between the Mahabharata, the Ramayana and the Bhagavad Gita? ■ What subjects or teachings are dealt with in each text? Hindu Scriptures Review: Video (start 5.30 – 8.38) ■ Write notes under the headings as you watch the video. Can you pinpoint specific characters and plot of the Bhagavad Gita? ■ What is the dominant message of the Bhagavad Gita? ■ How is Indian dance, drama and art influenced by the Mahabharata and the Ramayana? The Bhagavad Gita What is it? ■ An ancient Indian text that became an important work of Hindu tradition in terms of both literature and philosophy. ■ The earliest translations of this work from Sanskrit into English were made around 1795 CE by Sir Charles Wilkins. ■ The name Bhagavad Gita means “the song of the Lord”. ■ It is composed as a poem and it contains many key topics related to the Indian intellectual and spiritual tradition. ■ Although it is normally edited as an independent text, the Bhagavad Gita became a section of a massive Indian epic named “The Mahabharata”, the longest Indian epic. Authorship & Origin ■ The Bhagavad Gita was written at some point between 400 BCE and 200 CE. ■ Like the Vedas and the Upanishads, the authorship of the Bhagavad Gita is unclear. However, the credit for this text is traditionally given to a man named Vyasa, who is more of a legend than an actual historical figure; because of this, Vyasa has been compared to Homer, the great figure of ancient Greek epic poetry. Originally an independent text? ■ It has been suggested that the Bhagavad Gita was originally an independent text as, except for the first chapter, the Bhagavad Gita does not develop the action of the Mahabharata. ■ Furthermore, the Bhagavad Gita is at odds with the general style and content of the Mahabharata. Once the Gita is over, the narration of the Mahabharata resumes. The Gita – 400BCE – 200CE ■ The Gita was written during a time of important social change in India, with kingdoms getting larger, increasing urbanization, more trade activity, and social conflict similar to what was happening when Jainism and Buddhism developed. ■ This ancient Indian text is about the search for serenity, calmness, and permanence in a world of rapid change and how to integrate spiritual values into ordinary life. Plot ■ The plot of the Gita is based on two sets of cousins competing for the throne: The Pandavas and the Kauravas. ■ Diplomacy failed, so these two clans' armies meet on a battlefield in order to settle the conflict and decide which side will gain the throne. ■ This is a major battle and it takes place in Kurukshetra, “the field of the Kurus”, in the modern state of Haryana in India. Characters & Plot ■ Arjuna, the great archer and leader of the Pandavas ■ A member of the Kshatriyas caste (the warrior rulers caste). ■ He looks out towards his opponents and recognizes friends, relatives, former teachers, and finally reasons that controlling the kingdom is not worth the blood of all his loved ones. ■ Emotionally overwhelmed, Arjuna drops down, casting aside his bow and arrows and decides to quit. He prefers to withdraw from battle; he prefers inaction instead of being responsible for the death of the people he loves. ■ His chariot driver is the god Vishnu, who has taken the form of Krishna. ■ Krishna sees Arjuna quitting and begins to persuade Arjuna that he should stick to his duty as a warrior and engage the enemy. The Bhagavad Gita is presented as a conversation between Arjuna and Krishna, a man and a god, a seeker and a knower. Message ■ Arjuna is worried about entering the battle and destroying his own family. ■ So Krishna begins by explaining five reasons why Arjuna should not be troubled by this. ■ Essentially Krishna shows Arjuna why he will not get bad karma from taking part in the war. Reason #1: The first reason Krishna mentions is that because atman (the self) is eternal, it is a mistake to think that one can actually kill someone. What actually happens is that people are sent to the next stage of reincarnation. “[Krishna speaking] One believes he is the slayer, another believes he is the slain. Both are ignorant; there is neither slayer nor slain. You were never born; you will never die. You have never changed; you can never change. Unborn, eternal, immutable, immemorial, you do not die when the body dies.” (Bhagavad Gita 2:19-20) Reason #2: Another reason why Arjuna should fight is because of honour and duty, also referred to as dharma or cast duty. Arjuna is a member of the warrior class; the battle is the very reason of his existence. It is not sinful to fulfil your duty in life. Reason #3: The third reason Krishna gives is that inaction is impossible. Withdrawing from battle is in itself a conscious decision; not choosing is still a choice. This is in a way a criticism of some world-views, such as asceticism, which claim that leaving everything behind is inaction: Withdrawing from society is always a deliberate act. Reason #4: ■ Another reason given by Krishna is that the source of evil is not in actions, but in passion and desires, the intentions behind the actions. Reason #5: The fifth and last reason is that there are ways to act where we can do what we have to do without getting bad karma. In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna explains three ways: 1) The first way is Jnana yoga (the way of knowledge). 2) The second way is Bhakti yoga (the way of devotion). 3) The third way is Karma yoga (“the way of action” or “the way of works”). Jnana Yoga o o o o This idea is based on the Upanishads and holds that life and death are not real. Selfhood is nothing but an illusion. All we see are manifestations of the oneness. Once we realize that the oneness is behind all things, we can escape the bad karma from acting. “[Krishna speaking] I am ever present to those who have realized me in every creature. Seeing all life as my manifestation, they are never separated from me.” (Bhagavad Gita 6:30) Pranayama: Regulation of the Vital Energy Bhakti Yoga ■ This in an idea developed in great detail in Hinduism and holds that our actions can be dedicated to Krishna by surrendering our will to him, and he will take upon himself any bad karma. Karma Yoga The idea behind Karma yoga is acting without attachment; To act without being so concerned about the outcome of our actions. According to this view, if we act in such a way as not to get attached to the fruits of our actions, we can be more effective. Sometimes emotions like fear, embarrassment, or anxiety can interfere in the outcome of what we do. Extract: Analyse it and try to pinpoint some key Hindu beliefs [Krishna speaking] Neither agitated by grief nor hankering after pleasure, they live free from lust and fear and anger. Established in meditation, they are truly wise. Fettered no more by selfish attachments, they are neither elated by good fortune nor depressed by bad. Such are the seers." (Bhagavad Gita 2:56-57) Extract: Analyse and pinpoint Hindu beliefs ■ [Krishna speaking] Thinking of objects, attachment to them is formed in a man. From attachment longing, and from longing anger grows. From anger comes delusion, and from delusion loss of memory. From loss of memory comes the ruin of understanding, and from the ruin of understanding he perishes. (Bhagavad Gita 2:62-63) Would you go into battle or not? ■ Each of these three ways to act without getting bad karma is suitable for different people or castes. ■ Priests would follow the way of knowledge; ■ Peasants, merchants and commoners might be inclined to the way of devotion; ■ Warriors would identify themselves with the way of action. ■ Finally, Arjuna decides to obey Krishna by engaging in the battle. ■ In the end, the Pandavas regain control of the kingdom. WATCH: Video