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Transcript
Hinduism WH C2 PO2 1 Roots of Hinduism • For most of the past 2000 years, Hinduism has been the main religion in India • The word Hinduism means “the religion of the people of India” WH C2 PO2 2 Evolution of Hinduism • Born in the Indus River Valley around 2500 B.C., but strengthen around 500 B.C., as Indians adapted to town life and beliefs about began to change • No single founder or sacred text; teachers called gurus – Vedas (hymns, poems, epic poems) – Puranas (vast collection of Indian literature about a wide range of topics particularly myths, legends and other traditional lore) • Most complex religion in the world -- Why are we born? How should we live? – Countless gods and goddesses – system of rituals, cults, institutions, practices, and doctrines • Though believed by many to be a polytheistic religion, the basis of Hinduism is the belief in the unityWHofC2everything PO2 3 Beliefs About God • Hindus may have different practices but they share a common beliefs about the nature of the soul, and of life and of God • the Upanishads (Hindu scriptures) contain two beliefs that are the heart of Hinduism: 1. one supreme cosmic consciousness, spiritual force known as God called Brahman; all gods and goddesses are forms of Brahman 2. every person is born with a soul which is a form of Brahman WH C2 PO2 4 Brahman • “God is one, but wise people know it by many names” – key proverb of Hinduism • Brahman – the all-powerful and unchanging spiritual force of the universe • Too complex for most to understand so they worship a variety of gods that give a form to it. WH C2 PO2 5 Beliefs About God • Hindus may have different practices but they share a common beliefs about the nature of the soul, and of life and of God • The Upanishads (Hindu scriptures) contain two beliefs that are the heart of Hinduism: 1. one supreme cosmic consciousness, spiritual force known as God called Brahman; all gods and goddesses are forms of Brahman 2. every person is born with a soul which is a form of Brahman WH C2 PO2 6 Main Hindu Gods • Brahma – the creator • Vishnu – the Preserver • Shiva – the destroyer Brahma Shiva Vishnu WH C2 PO2 7 Beliefs About Life • The Upanishads (Hindu scriptures) teach important Hindu beliefs about life • When people die, most will undergo reincarnation • Hindus have four goals, but not everyone will achieve all these goals in one lifetime. The goals are: 1. dharma—doing what is right or your duty, including the rule of ahimsa avoiding doing harm to any living thing; following dharma brings good karma; violating dharma results in bad karma 2. striving for wellbeing or earning a livelihood with dignity 3. experiencing pleasure but seeking nothing but pleasure leaves one feeling empty 4. moksha or liberation from reincarnation WH C2 PO2 8 Hinduism • The purpose of life is to realize that we are part of God and by doing so we can leave this plane of existence and rejoin with God – Achieved by the cycle of birth, life and death • One's progress towards enlightenment is measured by his karma. • This is the accumulation of all one's good and bad deeds. WH C2 PO2 9 Reincarnation • Your karma determines what form you take in your next life. • Selfless acts and thoughts as well as devotion to God help one to be reborn at a higher level. • Bad acts and thoughts will cause one to be born at a lower level – animal or object • Moksha is freedom from suffering of cycle of death and rebirth WH C2 PO2 10 Dharma • The religious and moral duties of an individual. • Your duty varies according to class, occupation, gender, or age. • Karma & Dharma insure the social order by supporting the caste system WH C2 PO2 11 Caste System • consists of four major social categories: – Brahmin • highest rank and act as the priests and spiritual and intellectual leaders of Hindu society – Kshatriya • the rulers and warriors who protect and promote the material wellbeing of society – Vaishya • farmers, merchants, and others who contribute to the economy – Sudra • the workers and servants who supply the menial labor for the upper three ranks. • Another class, the "untouchables” • Excluded from all aspects of society! WH C2 PO2 12 Brahmins— thinkers/knowers Ksatriya—doers Vaisya—provide food for the belly Sudra—do the work WH C2 PO2 13 Effects of Caste System • Limited freedom and rights—born into class (varnas) and acceptance of fixed place in society • Limits jobs—born into occupation • Rigid, hereditary membership into birth caste • Marriage only among member of same caste • Personal contact with other castes restricted • Untouchables (dalits)—had to do undesirable (dirty) jobs and could never be near other classes (varnas) • System organized the people and gave social order • Gave stability to society • Part of Hindu religion • Higher classes privileged from birth • Higher classes had lots of opportunities, became wealthy • Job and skill specialization • Members of a caste relied on each other for support WH C2 PO2 14 Ahimsa • Key moral principle of Hinduism • Means non-violence • All people and things are aspect of Brahman and should be respected. – Cows worshipped by some in India WH C2 PO2 15 Jainism • Extreme form of Hinduism • Emphasizes meditation, self-denial, ahimsa • To avoid killing anything – carry a broom to sweep in front of their feet WH C2 PO2 16