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Transcript
Overview Beginnings of Hinduism may date as far back as the earliest civilizations in India in the Indus Valley region. Hinduism Hinduism may have begun as a blend of older Indian religious beliefs with the religious beliefs of a new, conquering group of people called the Aryans. Early Beginnings The caste system was an important aspect of Hinduism until recently. The earliest Hindus mainly worshiped gods of sun and fire and storm and practiced elaborate fire rituals to connect with them. The earliest Hindu scriptures are the Vedas. The Vedas were composed over a long period of time and are concerned with everything from rituals to philosophy. 1 Timeline 2 Indus Civilization The history of Hinduism spans at least 3500 years from the beginnings of written scripture to present day. Origins of Hinduism are probably even older than the written scripture. The earliest known culture on the Indian subcontinent existed some 4500 years ago (2500 BCE). The history of Hinduism is divided into five broad periods: Speculative Period: 800-400 BCE Major cities of the Indus Valley included Harappa and Mohenjo-daro. The populations of these cities were around 40,000 people and they had advanced technology for the time (such as plumbing systems). Epic/Classical Period: 400 BCE- 600 CE They had a written language, but we have not deciphered it. Medieval Period: 600-1800 CE Archaeologists have found some evidence that they had some religious practices. Formative Period: 2500-800 BCE Modern Period: 1800CE- Present 3 4 Theories about the Origins of Hinduism The Caste System The caste system is a series of classes into which people are born and can never escape. Hinduism may have come from a combination of Indian beliefs and Aryan beliefs. Early Hindu scriptures are written in Sanskrit. Sanskrit is an Indo-European language and belongs to the same family of languages as Greek, Latin, English, Spanish, Farsi and other languages spoken in northern and Western India. The caste system also determines what sort of work a person can do, who they can marry and what their social status is. It is thought that the Aryans (from Europe) invaded the Indian region between 2000 BCE-1500 BCE. There are also “contact” taboos that regulate who you could touch without “polluting” them. Not everyone agrees with this theory because it implies that Indian culture and religion was “originally” European. 5 The Caste System 6 The Caste System The caste system consisted of four major castes, or varnas. Outside of the four major castes was a group of people considered completely beneath the rest. Brahmin (priest) - mouth The Untouchables made up 1/4 of the Indian population. Kshatriya (warrior/noble) - arms This group did the most undesirable or polluting jobs, such as cleaning toilets. Vaishya (merchant/craftsmen/farmer) -legs Gandhi, in an effort to end caste discrimination, renamed this group Harijan, or children of God. Shudra (peasant) - feet Today this group calls themselves the “dalit” or oppressed peoples. 7 8 The Caste System Early Hinduism Earliest forms of Hinduism are often called Vedic. Discrimination against the untouchables became illegal in 1947, after India gained independence from Britain. Emerged during the Formative Period (2500-800BCE). Characterized by practice of fire rituals performed by priests of the brahmin caste. Caste system is still somewhat practiced as some people still marrying only within their caste. Fire rituals were used to communicate with the gods and help restore order to the universe. Vedic gods were seen as inhabiting the earth, the atmosphere and the sky. 9 Vedic Gods 10 Dyaus Pitr Some of the most important Vedic gods include: Dyaus Pitr (shining father) A father diety who ruled the entire pantheon of gods and goddesses Aditi (mother of the gods) Indra (god of storm and war) Most of the important deities of this time were male. Agni (god of fire) Rudra (god of the winds) The female goddesses, such as Aditi and Ushas, were rarely mentioned in Vedic scriptures. Surya (a sun god), Varuna (god of sky and justice) Vishnu (god of cosmic order) Ushas (goddess of the dawn) 11 12 Agni: God of Fire Had a special role in early Hinduism Agni is seen as a messenger between this world and the heavens, taking the smoke from the sacrifices up to the other gods. Agni also has several forms. On earth, Agni was the god of fire. In the atmosphere, he was lightning. In the sky, he was the sun. Agni: God of Fire 13 14 Soma Soma is the god of the moon. He is also known as Chandra (which is my wife’s last name!) He rides through the sky in a chariot drawn by white horses. Soma is also the god of altered states of consciousness and bliss. As such, Soma is a Sanskrit term for a psychedelic drug/drink consumed by other gods, especially Indra and Agni. The moon is the storehouse for this elixir. When the gods drink soma, it is said that the Moon wanes because the gods are drinking. It is this way that they achieve immortality. The moon is replenished when it waxes. Soma: The Moon God There are many theories today about what plant or plants were used to produce soma, but no one knows exactly what it was. Aldous Huxley makes reference to soma in Brave New World. 15 16 Hindu Scriptures Earliest Hindu scriptures are called the Vedas. The initial four Vedas were begun in 1500BCE and completed in 900BCE. The four Vedas are called: Rig Veda Yajur Veda (ceremonial knowledge) Movement from New to Full Sama Veda (chant knowledge) Atharva Veda (knowledge from a well-known teacher) 17 18 Later Vedic Scriptures The Creation of the World The later Vedic scriptures were written between 1000 and 500 BCE. They include the: The Rig Veda is the most important of the Vedas. Brahmanas It provides detailed instructions for the Vedic fire rituals. It also contains various accounts for the creation of the world. Aranyakas One account is that the world was created from the body of a superperson named Purusha. Upanishads The Brahmans were mainly an elaboration of instructions regarding rituals that were in earlier Vedas, but the Aranyakas and Upanishads heralded new developments within Hinduism The separation of Purusha’s body is used in the Rig Veda to justify the existence of the caste system. It is written that Purusha’s mouth became the Brahmin, his arms became the Kshartriyas, his thighs became the vaishyas, and his feet became the Shudra. 19 20 Aranyakas Upanishads Called “forest book” The Upanishads singled a major shift from the Formative to the Speculative period. describes how Vedic rituals can be performed by forest-dwelling ascetics. It is the most philosophical and metaphysical in tone. This shows that there were some Hindus seeking spiritual perfection through ascetic practices like living outdoors, practicing silence, and restricting their diets. They are written in the form of dialogues and explore the nature of the universe, the role of the individual, and the goal of life. Asceticism describes a life-style characterized by abstinence from worldly pleasures. 21 Upanishads The philosophical core of Hinduism as it exists right up to today can be found within the Upanishads. Significantly, by the time the Upanishads were completed, Hinduism was already in conversation with Buddhism. This undoubtedly had some influence on the directions in which Hinduism developed. Sycretastic! 23 22