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HINDUISM
GENERAL INTRODUCTION,
VOCABULARY, BELIEFS
GENERAL
INTRODUCTION
NAME, OVERVIEW, GLOBAL
DISPERSMENT, THEORIES OF
ORIGIN, SACRED TEXTS, CASTE
SYSTEM
NAME
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Sanatana Dharma, or “eternal religion”
Vaidika Dharma, “religion of the Vedas”
Hinduism, derived from:
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The country lying between the Himalayan mountain and
Bindu Sarovara (Hindusthan)
The Persian word for Indian
A corruption of the Persian word Indus (Indus River)
The name invented by the British administration during
colonial times.
OVERVIEW
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One of the oldest and most complex of the world’s religions:
roots are dated from the 3rd millennium BCE.
This religion is diverse, extremely inclusive, tolerant, and
complicated.
Hinduism recognizes three ways to be religious and these
provide one good way to sort the religion typologically
(categorically) and historically.
These “three ways” not only reflect different dimensions of
being religious, they also characterize the whole Hindu
religion as passing through three major historical phases,
each corresponding to one of the following “margas” (or
“paths”).
OVERVIEW…
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Karma Marga = “deed path,” or “religion of
the hands” (ritual and/or ethical) with an
emphasis on RITE and RIGHT
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Characterized the early Vedic Period (1500-600
BCE)
Focus is on polytheism and ritualism
Primary scripture is the Vedas (ritualistic hymns)
OVERVIEW…
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Jnana Marga = “insight path” or “religion of
the head” (intellectual and/or mystical)
with an emphasis on WISDOM and TRUTH
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Characterized Vedantic Period (600 BCE-800
CE)
Focus is on monism and mystical philosophy
Primary scripture is the Upanishads
(philosophical)
OVERVIEW…
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Bhakti Marga = “love path” or “religion of
the heart” (devotional and/or communal)
with an emphasis on FAITH and LOVE
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Characterized Sectarian Period (800 CEPresent)
Focus on henotheism and worship (puja)
Main scripture is Bhagavad Gita with the notion
that “Krishna is Lord!”
YOGAS
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The aforementioned “margas” (3 paths) are
sometimes labeled “yogas” and numbered at four.
“Yoga” refers to the practice use dto gain control
over the mind and body in order to reflect on the
path to enlightenment.
According to the “yoga system” of four paths, the
mystical side of “jnana marga” is isolated as a
separate discipline called “raja yoga.”
GLOBAL DISPERSMENT
THEORIES OF
ORIGIN
CLASSICAL AND EMERGING
THEORIES, THE ARYAN
MIGRATION-INVASION, THE
ARYAN RELIGION
CLASSICAL THEORY
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Traces the roots of Hinduism to the Indus
Valley civilization c. 4000-2200 BCE
Light-skinned, nomadic, Aryan (or, IndoEuropean) tribes invaded northern India (c.
1500 BCE) from Russia and Central Asia,
bringing with them their Vedic religion
The Vedic beliefs mingled with the
indigenous Indian native beliefs to form the
Indus Valley culture.
EMERGING THEORY
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Archaeological digs have placed the above
theory in question, suggesting that the
Indus Valley culture was not the result of an
outside invasion, or so-called Aryan
Invasion, but emerged over time.
Archaeological discoveries of Vedic rituals
merely prove that the emerging culture
shared continuity with the Aryans.
THE ARYAN MIGRATION
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The Aryans are reputed
to have been seminomadic people who
moved from their original
home (between Poland
and Central Asia)
towards the west, east,
and south.
The Indo-Aryans entered
Punjab and moved into
the Ganga Valley,
eventually controlling all
of Northern India.
THE ARYAN RELIGION
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This may be called “proto-Hinduism” and
represents the initial Aryan influences of an
incipient Hinduism (i.e., beginning to show
itself).
 Polytheistic: gods and goddesses (“devas”) as
personifications or natural forces; a male dominated
pantheon of 330,000,000 gods and goddesses.
 Sacrificial: Altars in open places with animal sacrifices
and libations of milk and “soma” (juice, or perhaps an
hallucinogenic mushroom??)
SACRED TEXTS
MAHABHARATA, BHAGAVAD GITA,
VEDAS, AND UPANISHADS
MAHABHARATA
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Written 540-300 BCE
Attributed to the sage Vyasa
Record “the legends of the Bharatas, one
of the Aryan tribal groups”
Epic poem that tells of two feuding royal
families who descend from a common ruler
named Bharat and suffer through the
horrors of a long civil war.
BHAGAVAD GITA
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Literally means, “Song of
God”
The 18th chapter (or 6th
book) of the Mahabharata
It is an extended course
on Hindu metaphysics,
describing a conversation
between a warrior (Arjuna)
and the Hindu God
Krishna (Vishnu).
SANSKRIT SELECTION FROM
THE BHAGAVAD GITA
VEDAS
“Veda” is a Sanskrit word for “truth” or
“knowledge”
 The “Vedas” represent the ancient Hindu
scriptures.
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Rig-Veda: Collection of over 10,000 hymns to the Aryan
gods.
Yajur-Veda: Collection of ritual material for sacrifices.
Sama-Veda: Collection of chants.
Atharva-Veda: Home-rituals and popular prayers and spells
to ward off evil.
UPANISHADS
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The word means “a sitting beside” or “a session” which
implies a personal teaching from one’s spiritual master.
These writings are also called “Vedanta” or “the end of the
Vedas” in the sense of…
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Last part
Last in importance, or
Goal
“Vedanta” also refers to the tradition of Hindu philosophy that
focuses on the writings of the Upanishads as the interpretive
“lens” through which the Vedas and other scriptures are read
(speculative, philosophical writings)
CASTE SYSTEM
HINDU SOCIETY
PRIMARY CASTES
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In ancient India there developed a social system in which
people were divided into separate close communities.
These communities are known in English as caste.
The origin of the caste system is in Hinduism, but it
affected the whole Indian society.
The caste system in the religious form is basically a
simple division of society in which there are four castes
arranged in a hierarchy and below them the outcast.
But socially the caste system was more complicated,
with much more castes and sub-castes and other
divisions.
Legally the government disallows the practice of caste
system but has a policy of affirmative discrimination of
the backward classes.
PRIMARY CASTES…
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The religious word for caste is 'Varna'. Each Varna has certain
duties and rights. Each Varna members have to work in certain
occupation which only that Varna members are allowed. Each
Varna has certain type of diet.
The highest Varna is of the Brahman. Members of this class are
priests and the educated people of the society.
The Varna after them in hierarchy is Kshatria. The members of this
class are the rulers and aristocrats of the society.
After them are the Vaisia. Members of this class are the landlords
and businessmen of the society.
After them in hierarchy are the Sudra. Members of this class are the
peasants and working class of the society who work in non-polluting
jobs. The caste hierarchy ends here.
Below these castes are the outcasts who are untouchable to the
four castes. These untouchables worked in degrading jobs like
cleaning, sewage etc.
CASTE IMPLICATIONS
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On 2001-NOV-4, one million low-caste Dalits were
scheduled to meet in Delhi, India, for a mass
conversion to Buddhism.
According to Gospel for Asia, Dalits feel that:
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"The only way for our people to find freedom from 3,000
years of slavery is to quit Hinduism and Castism and
embrace another faith."
Mass conversions to Christianity have also
occurred.
CASTE IMPLICATIONS…
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Two protest religions
formed as reactions
against selected Hindu
religious practices and/or
teachings such as the
power of the priests, the
overwhelming presence of
rituals and the alienation
of the lower castes from
their Hindu faith.
HINDUISM
JAINISM
BUDDHISM
VOCABULARY
KEY TERMS DESCRIBING HINDU
BELIEFS AND PRACTICES
Puja
Act of worship, incense burned, offerings made to a Hindu deity.
Yoga
Practice used to gain control over mind and body to reflect on the path to
enlightenment.
Lotus Position
Sitting position, heel and foot placed on opposite thigh, encourages breathing and
physical disciple conducive to deep meditation.
Sanskrit
Hindu language of the sacred scriptures dating to 1500 BCE.
Veda
From Sanskrit meaning “truth” or “knowledge.”
Rishis
Inspired sages who heard the hymns of the gods and transcribed them into the
Vedas.
Satguru
An enlightened master necessary for the attainment of knowledge of the
Transcendent Absolute.
Nirvana
Eternal soul, reborn millions of times in many forms. Ultimately this soul merges with
the Universal Soul, or Nirvana.
Mantra
A sacred incantation of prayer.
Indra
One of the most popular Vedic gods, resembling Zeus of the Greek pantheon.
Brahmanas
Vedic writings added to the Hindu scriptures that explain many ceremonies and
priestly duties.
Vedic Age
Period between 1500 and 1200 BCE in which the Vedas are written and compiled.
Upanishads
Means “sitting near” or “at the feet of the master.” Final writings added to the Vedic
scriptures. These are direct accounts written by spiritually advanced mystics and
represent the final phase in the development of the Vedas.
Samsara
The Sanskrit term for reincarnation, the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth until a soul
achieves enlightenment and embraces the sacred reality of the Absolute.
Caste System
Hindu social system dividing people into a rigid class structure. Women may change
their birth caste through marriage. Men have the least mobility.
Karma
An impartial force or principle of cause and effect that accounts for each person’s
good and bad actions and determines their position of rebirth based upon one’s
actions in a previous lifetime.
Brahma
The world spirit, the Absolute, the chief god of the Hindu faith who is associated with
the creation of all reality. Union with Brahma is seen as the end or goal for all
individuals seeking enlightenment.
Vishnu
The preserver god representing divine love who has been incarnated as Krishna and
Rama.
Shiva
The energy force of the Absolute, who is seen as the great cosmic creator and
destroyer.
Moksha
Attainment of enlightenment, or spiritual knowledge, that liberates one from the
cycles of rebirth.
Atman
The Hindu concept of the individual self or soul.
Mahabharata
The epic poem that tells of two feuding royal families.
Bhagavad Gita
Means, “Song of God” and is a portion of the Mahabharata and part of the Hindu
sacred scriptures.
Mahatma
Title given to Gandhi, meaning “Great Soul.”
Ahimsa
The Hindu ideal of complete non-violence in thought, word, and deed.
HINDU BELIEFS
NINE BELIEFS IN HINDUISM, FIVE
OBLIGATIONS, FOUR ENDS, AND
FOUR STAGES
NINE BELIEFS
1.
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4.
Hindus believe in the divinity of the Vedas, the worlds most
ancient scripture. These hymns are God’s word and the
bedrock of Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism), the eternal
religion which has neither beginning nor end.
Hindus believe in a one, all-pervasive Supreme Being who
is both immanent and transcendent, both Creator and Unmanifest Reality.
Hindus believe that the universe undergoes endless cycles
of creation, preservation, and dissolution.
Hindus believe in karma, the law of cause and effect by
which each individual creates his own destiny by his
thoughts, words, and deeds.
NINE BELIEFS…
5.
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Hindus believe that the soul reincarnates, evolving through
many births until all karmas have been resolved, and
moksha, spiritual knowledge and liberation from the cycle
of rebirth, is attained.
Hindus believe that divine beings exist in unseen worlds
and that temple worship, rituals, sacraments, as well as
personal devotionals create a communion with these devas
and gods.
Hindus believe that a spiritually awakened master (satguru)
is essential to know the Transcendent Absolute, as are
personal discipline, good conduct, purification, pilgrimage,
self-inquiry and meditation.
NINE BELIEFS…
8. Hindus believe that all life is sacred, to be
loved and revered, and therefore practice
ahimsha (“non-injury”).
9. Hindus believe that no particular religion
teaches the only way to salvation above
all others, but that all genuine religious
paths are facets of God’s Pure Love and
Light, deserving tolerance and
understanding.
FIVE OBLIGATIONS
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2.
Worship: Young Hindus are taught daily worship in the
family shrine room…rituals, disciplines, chants, yogas and
religious study. They learn to secure through devotion in
home and temple, wearing traditional dress, bringing forth
love of the Divine and preparing the mind for serene
meditation.
Holy Days: Young Hindus are taught to participate in Hindu
festivals and holy days in the home and temple. They learn
to be happy through communion with God at such
auspicious celebrations. The festivals may include fasting
and temple attendance.
FIVE OBLIGATIONS…
3.
4.
Virtuous Living (dharma, or “duty”): Young Hindus are
taught to live a life of duty and good conduct. They learn to
be self-less (renunciation) by thinking of others first, being
respectful of parents, elders and swamis (or “masters,”
those who mastery over themselves so as to have
achieved renunciation), following divine law (especially,
ahimsha). In this way they resolve karmas.
Pilgrimage: Young Hindus are taught the value of
pilgrimage either to holy persons or temples in order to
learn to be detached from worldly affairs and to make God,
gods, and gurus the focus during these journeys.
FIVE OBLIGATIONS…
5. Rites of Passage: Young Hindus are
taught to observe the many sacraments
which mark and sanctify their passage
through life. They learn to be traditional by
celebrating the rites of birth, name-giving,
head-shaving, first feeding, ear-piercing,
coming of age, marriage and death.
FOUR ENDS OF MAN
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Human pursuits can be guided by four different
kinds of motive or purpose (end):
1. Duty (dharma): We can do something because it is right, it
is our duty, it is what we ought to do.
2. Material Gain (artha): We can do something for the sake of
material gain, such as money or power.
3. Pleasure (kama): We can do something in order to
experience pleasure.
4. Liberation (moksha): We can do something to achieve
liberation, or release from the everlasting cycle of birth,
death, and rebirth.
FOUR STAGES OF LIFE
(ASHRAMAS)
1.
Student: On being invested with the sacred cord, the Brahmin boy
enters a celibate “student” stage in which his chief duty is to study
the Vedas and live in the house of his teacher. Being "twice born"
means that you come of age religiously, making you a member of the
Vedic religion, eligible to learn Sanskrit, study the Vedas, and perform
Vedic rituals. The "second birth" is thus like Confirmation or a Bar
Mitzvah.
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Householder: Upon completion of his education, he returns home,
marries, and becomes a householder. His principle duty is to care
for the welfare of his family.
Hermit: When his hair turns white, he should retire to the forest and
live as a hermit, spending his days in meditation and devotion
Homeless Wanderer: He now cuts off all ties with his family,
changes his name, gives up all possessions except a staff, a
begging bowl, and a few pieces of clothing (asceticism). He is now
beyond all religious duties.