Download Hinduism – Sanathana Dharma

Hinduism – Sanathana Dharma
Lesson Plan 1: Introduction to Hinduism
Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba says “ Hindu religion itself is not the
creation of any individual. The basic Hindu faith is not for Indians alone
but is for all mankind. The word "Hindu" is composed of the two
syllables "Him," meaning Himsa (violence) and "Du" meaning, "distant."
Hinduism is the faith that makes violence distant. That is the reason
why Hinduism alone stands out as a religion that strives for the wellbeing of all peoples, in all countries, at all times. Hence the appellation,
"Sanathana," meaning ancient or timeless. No one knows when it was
revealed and who was its founder. Other religions have their
chronology. The Hindu religion knows no growth or decline. It belongs
to all countries. It is acceptable to all people.”
-Discourse in the Prashaanthi Mandir on 23- 7-1989.
Lesson 2: Origin of Hinduism
Hinduism is commonly thought to be the oldest religion in the history of human civilization''
Third in the list of major religions, with more than 870 million followers, is Hinduism.
Hinduism goes back to 5000 BC and is a compilation of many diverse traditions ,making it the oldest practiced
religion.
Hinduism has neither a specific moment of origin nor a specific founder.
Rather, the tradition understands itself to be timeless, having always existed.
Its collection of sacred texts is known, as a whole, as Sanatana Dharma, "The Eternal Teaching."
It is a complex tradition that encompasses numerous interrelated religious doctrines and practices,
that have some common characteristics but which lack any unified system of beliefs and practices.
Hinduism encompasses a number of major sects, as well as countless sub-sects with local or regional variations.
Hinduism is a collective term applied to the many philosophical and religious traditions native to India.
According to historians, the origin of Hinduism dates back to 5,000 or more years. The word "Hindu" is derived
from the name of River Indus, which flows through northern India. In ancient times the river was called the 'Sindhu', but the
Persians who migrated to India called the river 'Hindu', the land 'Hindustan' and its inhabitants 'Hindus'. Thus the religion
followed by the Hindus came to be known as 'Hinduism'..
.According to scholars, the evolution of Hinduism may be divided into the following periods:
the ancient (6500 BCE-1000 AD), the medieval (1000-1800 AD).
Lesson 3: what does 'Hindu' mean?
What Does “Hindu” Mean?
The word "Hindu" was of a far, far later origin; during the Greek period of history, Greeks and
West Asians used the term Indu/Hindu with reference to the people living beyond the banks
of the River Indus.Later the name began to be ascribed to the religion of the land also. The
term “Hinduism” came into common use only in the 19th century. Again, the term was used
originally by outsiders to describe the “ism” of the Hindus and, eventually, by Hindus to
differentiate themselves from Muslims and others.The word Hinduism is not the original
name for the religion. It is a name aquired in later historic times, while the religion has
been in existence since timeless beginning. Sanatana Dharma, "The Law Eternal", is the
more appropriate or rather the accurate name for the religion which is now known as
"Hinduism". While there has occasionally been conflict between people of different religious
ways, but for the most part, all worship in one another’s temples. Indeed, some of today’s
newest temples, whether in New Delhi or Nashville, include the whole spectrum of Hindu
deities under one
Roots of the religion This religion has its roots in the "Vedas" which are scriptures of the highest wisdom and which originated with creation itself. It was not a founded religion, it was based on
revelations directly from God Himself to the seers during their transcendental and intuitive
communion with the Divine. It was the Dharma and code of life for men of Bharat
or Aryavarta from times immemorial, i.e., from even the pre-historic and most antique
ages.
Lesson 4: Sacred Text – Bhagavad Gita
Sacred Books of HinduismThe sacred text is '' Bhagavad Gita'' it is also known as
the song celistial : the gospel given by Lord Krishna (God
Himself) . other sacred texts are ''the Vedas'', '' the
Upanishads'',and the two great Epics ''Ramayana'' and ''
MahaBharata'.
Bhagavad Gita means "Song by GOD". Bhagavad – GOD
Gita – Song. A Song sung by GOD himself!
Lesson 5 : Story about Reading the
Bhagavad Gita
An old farmer lived on a farm in the mountains with his young grandson. Each morning, Grandpa was up
early sitting at the kitchen table reading his Bhagavat Gita.His grandson wanted to be just like him and
tried to imitate him in every way he could. One day the grandson asked, "Grandpa! I try to read the
Bhagawad Gita just like you but I don't understand it, and what I do understand, I forget as soon as I
close the book. What good does reading the Bhagawat Gita do?" The Grandfather quietly turned from
putting coal in the stove and replied, "Take this coal basket down to the river and bring me back a basket
of water." The boy did as he was told, but all the water leaked out before he got back to the house. The
grandfather laughed and said, "You'll have to move a little faster next time," and sent him back to the
river with the basket to try again. This time the boy ran faster, but again the basket was empty before he returned home. Out of breath, he told his grandfather that it was impossible to carry water in a basket,
and he went to get a bucket instead. The old man said, "I don't want a bucket of water; I want a basket
of water. You're just not trying hard enough," and he went out the door to watch the boy try again. At this point, the boy knew it was impossible, but he wanted to show his grandfather that even if he ran
as fast as he could, the water would leak out before he got back to the house. The boy again dipped the
basket into river and ran hard, but when he reached his grandfather the basket was again empty. Out of
breath, he said, "SEE.... it is useless!" "So you think it is useless?" The old man said, "Look at the basket." The boy looked at the basket and for
the first time realized that the basket was different It had been transformed from a dirty old coal basket
and was now clean, inside and out. "Son, that's what happens when you read the Bhagavat Geeta. You
might not understand or remember everything, but when you read it, you will be changed, inside and
out. That is the work of Bhagavad Gita in our lives.
Lesson 6: Values for life
Values for life -- and source (Vedokhilo Dharma Mulam);
It is also called Sanatana Dharma as it delineates and embodies values and doctrines which are of
eternal validity.
Sanatana Dharma stands for "Rita" - the majesty of moral and spirtual law. It looks upon the whole universe as being under the purview of a moral law and subserving to the
supremacy of God, its creator.
Times may change, ages may roll by, continents may rise and disappear, but values of life like truth,
love, compassion, one's duty to mother, father, preceptor and to fellow beings, and the eternal
reality of the spirit and unity of all life, are truths and values that subsist and will subsist for ever.
Hinduism exhorts people to abstain from all violence by thought, word and deed to any being or
creature.
These are the eternal values and truths which are embedded in the Vedas and are embodied in the
religion that had evolved out of Vedas.
These values being of eternal validity and universality, are the justification for the religion .
Lesson 7: Basic Principles of the religion
The religion was used to be known as "Vaidika Dharma" or "Vedanta", as it has the Vedas for its authority and source
(Vedokhilo Dharma Mulam); "Ahimsa Paramo Dharmaha" - "Veneration of all life" (because everything is enveloped by God);
"Isavasyamidam Sarvam" - "God inheres in all beings"; these are the basic, primary and fundamental tenets of Hinduism. The
principle doctrines of Hinduism". God manifests Himself on earth among humans, in a human form, to guide the erring
humanity into the right path and to shower His infinite love and grace. The concept of god in Hinduism is exceptionally complex
and varies according to different philosophies and traditions. Generally, gods in Hinduism appear more like supreme personal
beings. "Upanishads" (the end portion of Vedas- the essence of Vedas): Vedas are, of course, the basic source of Indian
religious philosophy. But they are said to be originally countless- though they have been later collated by sage Vyasa into four
principal texts.
Rigveda, -all rituals prescribed and life styles , Samveda, - music , Yajurveda - medicine , herbs , remedies and cures,
Adharvaveda
The different deities and god-concepts are, as it were, so many doorways through which men can enter into the sanctum sanctorum
of the One and Final Existence. To a Hindu Worshipper, the "Ishta Devta", his chosen form of deity, is both the Supreme being as well
as in whom all the other gods also reside. Thus, Hinduism is essentially monotheistic but with the belief and dictum--"Infinite is God
and infinite are his expressions".A moral, ethical and virtuous life is insisted upon and one should eschew and overcome the six inner
enemies in our nature, viz., Kama (lust), Krodha (anger), Lobha (greed), Moha (attachment), Mada(pride) and Matsarya (hatred). Elimination of these is essential otherwise spritual effort will not fructify. In a purified heart only the light of the Spirit can dawn and
shine.
The four fold disciplines are:
(i) "VIVEKA" - (discrimination between impermanent and the permanent, the unreal and the Real and non-self and Self).
(ii) "VAIRAGYA" - (desirelessness for the joys of this world or the joys of the other world, i.e, of Heaven).
(iii) "SHAT SAMPATTI" - (the sixfold treasures). Sama (mind control), Dama (control of senses), Uparati (contentment), Titiksha
(forbearance), Sraddha (abiding faith) and Samadhana (steadfastness and equanimity of mind).
(iv) "MUMUKSHATVA" - (yearning for liberation)
Lesson 8: Prayers and Bhajan
Prayers
"I can never attain perfection in a imperfect society. I must, therefore
work for the welfare of the community too".
Sarvevai sukhinah santu, sarve santu niraamayaah
Sarve bhadrani pasyantu, maakaschit dukhamapnuyat...
Samastha Lokha Sukhino Bhavanthu
"May All Beings in all the worlds have happiness and peace".
Bhajan
Sathyam Gnanam Anantham Brahma (3 times)
Sathyam Brahma
Gnanam Brahma
Anantham Brahma
Truth is GOD, Wisdom or Knowledge is GOD, Everything is GOD.
Lesson 9: Summary and Conclusion
Summary
(i) Hinduism believes in an all-powerful, all-wise and omnipresent superhuman and spiritual power.
(ii) It lays down one of the most exhaustive moral, ethical and spiritual codes or laws for the guidance of the conduct of man on
this earth.
(iii) It continuously affirms the divine origin of creation.
(iv) It recognises a way of life based on
Satya (Truth), Dharma (Right conduct), Shanti (peace), Prema (love) and Ahimsa (non-voilence).
(v) Its tolerance is a unique factor. It refuses to inflict any harm on one simply because the latter belongs to a different faith.
(vi) it brings the entire life of a man, his professional, social and religious duties under the guidance of Dharma, which is one of its
most important concepts.
(vii) It has never relegated man or creation to a low level.
One of the most profound statements in the Upanishads is
"everything in creation is sacred, because it is breathed upon by the breath of "brahman".
Conclusions
Hinduism respected and continues to respect all men, whatever their race or community and as such there have never been any
conversions to Hinduism which is actually a faith, a way of life.
It provides within this framework infinite shades of beliefs, all of which are said to belong to Hinduism. It is synthetic religion that
tolerates and respects others and their views. Conversions must come, if at all, by conviction and not by coersion or extrareligious considerations.
To sum up the whole essence of the Hindu religion and philosophy: "Love for all beings and love for God"- this is the essence of
Hinduism, and as a matter of fact, it is the essence of all religions too
Hinduism is a religion that should satisfy every rational individual.