Download Section Two-Hinduism, Jainism and Sikhism

Hinduism
Belief Structure
• Worship many gods believing that “God is one, but men call
him by many names”
– This polytheistic views offer more concrete/tangible
connection with the divine
• Monism (not to be confused with monotheism) is the belief
that all that is is one; all reality is one thing
• Brahman is the connectedness and essence of all as one
– For instance, water as rivers and oceans
• Sacred texts: Rig Veda (4000 years old)
– God is one; tree with branches
• Upanishads: teach Brahman as pure spirit; Atman as
Ultimate self which emphasizes contemplation as means of
spiritual development
Belief Structure (continued)
• Cyclical cosmology: The re-creation of the universe (the
pause at the end of universe)
• Reincarnation across levels of existence (animals,
humans, gods)
• Patience as an important virtue: it may take many
lifetimes to seek and find liberation
• Liberation (moksha) is release from the finite into the
ocean of the divine
– Sense of infinite being, awareness and bliss
– The returning to the sacred source
• Salvation comes by liberating ourselves from the
constraints of the human condition
Belief Structure (continued)
• Karma: action and deeds
– moral cause and effect (what goes around comes around)
– determines status of reincarnation
– only humans can effect karma, which is both a privilege and a
responsibility
• Dharma: standard of what is right and wrong as
determined by the divine order
– complete rule for life
– fours sources for seeking Dharma (listed in order of importance)
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divine revelation through sacred scripture
sacred tradition
seek the counsel of the wisest people you know
conscience
Societal Structure
• Caste system: social and economic
classifications
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Brahim-priest class
Kshatriya-warriors and leaders
Vaishya-farmers, merchants and artisans
Shudra-laborers and servants
Untouchables
• Karma, dharma and reincarnation determine
where you are
• This is primarily a historical model – it is rarely
seen in practice today
Spiritual Paths
There are three paths to Liberation
•
Karma Marga: “the Path of Works”
– nonviolence and social action
– acting the right way because it is the right way, not for some benefit
•
Jnana Marga: “the Path of Knowledge”
– intense philosophical reflection; learning and meditation
– awareness of the self and of truth
– primarily chosen by those of the priestly class in one of three forms
• Vedanta: all is one with a loss of individuality
• Sankhya: freedom from human limitations
• Yoga: incorporating the body and mind through breathing and meditation
•
Bhakti Marga: “the Path of Devotion”
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a more emotional, worship focused path
centers on prayer and devotion to a god or gods
ceremonial dress and ritual practiced frequently
pilgrimages to sacred places
religious festivals
Jainism
Beliefs
• Similar to Hinduism and Buddhism in both
doctrine and origin (India) but also unique in
belief and practice.
– Derived from the word “jina” (“conqueror”);
spiritual conquering.
• Cosmology: the universe is, was and always will
be
– “loka”
– The universe moves in cycles, and cycles
determine the state of the world
– Upturn=good, downturn=bad
– According to Jainism, we are currently in a
down turn.
Beliefs (continued)
• Believe in many Hindu gods, but these gods
cannot assist with the quest for salvation.
One must work within “samsara” (cycle of
reincarnation birth and rebirth) to achieve it.
– “jivas” is the perfect soul
– “ajiva” is everything else
• Salvation is liberating the soul from all matter
– “kevala” or spiritual perfection
• Karma is like the concept of karma already
seen in Hinduism.
• Salvation is not attainable in a ‘downturn.’
Instead, one strives for a good rebirth.
Principles and Practices
Non-violence (ahisma) and Asceticism
• Five Great Vows: Ethical principles for living for
monks and nuns (lay people take less intense vows)
1. Do not injure other life forms.
2. Avoid lying.
3. Do not take what has not been given to you.
4. Renounce sexual activity.
5. Renounce possession.
• Ahisma: guilt only to the extent of the will; level of
violence determines level of stain on one’s soul.
Principles and Practices
(continued)
• Asceticism: rigorous self denial is seen as the only way to
achieve spiritual perfection.
– All family ties are severed
– One can become a monk or nun as early as 8, but it is
preferred if one waits to young adulthood.
– Vegetarianism strongly encouraged to avoid harming
any life form.
– “Sweep the bugs out of the way.” Avoid walking during
the rainy season because more bugs are out when it
rains.
– Repentance is performed twice a day in the presence of
one’s teacher.
– An admission of wrongdoing is made which includes the
phrase “I ask pardon of all living creatures. May all
creatures pardon me. May I have friendship for all
creatures and enmity towards none.”
Sikhism
Historical Perspectives
• Sikh means learner or disciple (one who follows)
– originated with a Pakistani Hindu practitioner about 500 years ago
• Most followers today live in Northern India. Sikhs are the minority as
compared to India’s Hindu population.
• Turbans are the traditional garb that identifies the wearer as Sikh.
Beards are also common.
• Sikhism serves as a link between Hinduism and Islam. It has at
times been cohesive (merging beliefs) and at other times has been
involved in violent conflicts with Hindus and Muslims.
• Guru as spiritual teacher (established with Hinduism)
• A person who brings someone out of the darkness of ignorance into
enlightenment.
• Guru is used in three ways: to refer to the 10 historical Sikh leaders, to refer
to the ancient text-Adi Granth (grunth), and to refer to God as “True Guru”
(the creator God as truth.)
Guru Nanak (1469-1539)
• “Founder” of Sikhism
• Struggled for meaning as many holy people
do
• Learned from both Hindu and Muslim holy
men
• Asserted the oneness of God and the need to
move close to God (intimate relationship)
• The way to intimacy is through meditating
and singing hymns of praise to God
• Nanak was a musician who composed many
hymns for worship; lead sung praises for
followers down by the river.
Guru Nanak (1469-1539)
Nanak’s major enlightenment/conversion/awakening experience
• One day, he does not return from bathing in the river. It is believed that
he drowned. Three days later he returned but did not speak until the
following day.
• “I shall follow God’s path. God is neither Hindu nor Muslim and the
path which I follow is God’s.”
• He tells of an encounter with God in which God invites him to drink of
the cup of salvation. He states, “This is the cup of the adoration of
God’s name. Drink it. I am with you. I bless you and raise you up.
Whoever remembers you will enjoy my favor. Go, rejoice in my name
and teach others to do so. I have bestowed the gift of my name upon
you. Let this be your calling.”
After awakening
• Travels to many holy places and visits many holy people. Some places
he is accepted, some he is rejected.
• He rejected many traditional customs and rituals, which made him
unpopular.
• He always asserted his humanity, flaws and all, and referred to himself
as God’s slave.
• Formed a community with those who followed him and created the
lifestyle that is common still today for Sikh believers.
Beliefs and
Practices
Worship: Gurdwara (doorway of the Guru)
– Sikhs worship in the gurdwara
– No set time or day of the week for
worship
– Sense of unity among believers; very
informal
– Ritual bathing, singing hymns, telling
stories of the Gurus
– Tithing to charitable causes, not
necessarily to the gurdwara
Beliefs and
Practices
Belief structure: combination of Western monotheism and
Eastern mysticism
– Ultimate purpose of life is complete union with God
– Salvation is union with God
– Seeks liberation from samsara (cycle of reincarnation)
– God is formless and shapeless
• Often called Truth, True Guru
• God is immanent within creation and inspires
loving devotion
• Revelation brings us from darkness to
enlightenment
• Human limitations are pride and selfishness
• God’s grace frees us from our limitations