Download Hinduism

Hinduism
Background
-some elements as ancient as 3rd millennium BCE
-extremely internally diverse and varied
-straightforward animism to complex philosophy
-literally millions of gods receive mention/praise
-both Jainism and Buddhism emerge from dominant Indian beliefs in the
600s BCE; Sikhism emerges in 1400s CE
-“Hinduism” survives challenge in part by reforming/strengthening &
in part by co-opting new beliefs
-unlike most religions, no identifiable founder/s
-Term “Hindu” given by Muslims for all who refused conversion to Islam
-more recent adoption by Hindus themselves
-etymology is Sanskrit name for Indus River: “Sindhu”
Aryan Origins
-Aryans – from modern Iran – first migrate to India in 2000s BCE
-mingle with (overtake?) pre-Aryan “Indus Valley” civilization
-some gods/practices may stem from them
-written language not yet deciphered
-Aryans of Iran/Persia create Zoroastrianism
-some similarities to early Vedas of Hinduism
-Aryan society likely comprised of 4 varnas (later castes)
-Brahmin (priests)
-Kshatriyas (warriors/chiefs)
-Vaishyas (commoners/merchants)
-Shudras (servants)
-so-called “untouchables” develop later
Hinduism continued…
Vedic Era
-Vedas considered “basic source of Hindu understanding of the Universe”
-first written between 1500 & 4000 years ago (up for debate…)
-written in “Vedic,” predecessor of Sanskrit
-passed down orally for centuries/millennia in advance
-Four basic Vedic books; Rig-Veda is most important
-collection of over 1,000 hymns to the gods
-God Indra receives most devotion
-wins the battle over the god of chaos
-focus on gods Shiva/Vishnu rise to prominence later
Upanishads
-14 principle ones; philosophical aspect of Vedas
-some say they logically explain stories/myths; others disagree
-Upanishads “operate from a monistic presupposition”
-only TRUE reality is impersonal Brahman (article)
-living(?) beings only expressions of Brahman
“A person’s individuality apart from the Brahman-the world in
which one lives, that which one sees, hears, touches, and feels-is all
an illusion, a dream.”
-Maya (delusion) & Avidya (ignorance) can be overcome through
meditation/intellectual pondering
-parable of tiger raised by goats
-differs from sacrifices pushed in rest of Vedas
-more popular among intellectuals than commoners
Karma
-notion that all actions have effects which mark one internally
-consequences play out in this, or future lifetimes
Samsara
-potentially endless cycle of birth and death
-considered a curse (why?)
-can be broken if one reaches moksha – conscious union w/ Brahman
-Moksha only possible after many lifetimes (“old soul”?)
Law of Manu
-definitely part of the Hindu canon; historic importance somewhat debated
-probably written between 300 BCE and 300 CE
-contains laws, moral teachings, philosophical concepts, spiritual practices…
-outlines the four varna (as body parts of cosmic man Purusa) and
their duties in detail (see p.1 of notes)
-very biased in favor of “twice born” varnas
-results in fixed castes in this lifetime
-explicitly states effects of this life on next incarnation
-also outlines various life-stages for elites:
1. student/disciple
2. “householder”/ “provider” (wife should be younger)
3. meditating hermit (once grandchildren are grown)
4. wandering beggar
-did this really occur?
-women extremely restricted; always under male control
-cows revered as sacred (why?)
Jainist & Buddhist Challenges
-both reject Vedas and caste system
-both still focus on release from samsara, however (images)
-Hinduism absorbs some elements of both, “fights back,” “wins” in India
-Buddha even elevated to pantheon by some Hindus
Bhagavad-Gita
-Epic poem of a great battle
-also likely written between 200 BCE and 300 CE
-most of poem is dialogue between warrior Arjuna and god Vishnu in human
form as driver Krishna (Hare Krishna group emphasizes Bhagavad)
-Godly descent known as “avatar”
-Krishna tells Arjuna it is his dharma (multiple meanings, here
“duty”) to fight, as that’s his varna
-though emphasizes caste system, BG generally tolerant of multiple paths to
enlightenment and gods concerned w/ human welfare
Postclassical (?) Hinduism
Common Era (CE)
-Religion lessens resemblance to Greco-Roman polytheism, with emphasis
on sacrifice, priesthood etc…
-Some argue emphasis becomes more negative, life-denying, ascetic in focus
Major Deities
-Three of Brahman’s attributes stand out (images)
-Brahma (creator)
-Shiva (destroyer)
-Vishnu (preserver)
-Devi viewed as great female goddess; “creative power in female form”
-Many Hindus devoted to one deity above others (statues/temples/cults…)
Devotion to Knowledge
-alternative to worship
-generally more accessible to wealthy/intellectuals
-six major schools of thought
-not all in accord with one another
-debates over monism vs. dualism; theism vs. atheism etc…
-Yoga most famous in modern America
Muslim Influence
-two major Muslim dynasties rule much of India (Delhi Sultanate/Moghuls)
-very little overlap in belief or practice between the two traditions
-theology, societal organization, cattle, temples/mosques etc…
-Sikhism (15th century) attempts to reconcile the differences
-more Muslims in Indian subcontinent than any other region of world
-India (13%), Pakistan/Bangladesh (vast majority)
Modern Hinduism
-Britain ruled much of Indian subcontinent 1700s through mid-1900s
-Christianity gradually has effect on some Hindu thinkers
-Western moral standards influence traditional practices
-less child-marriage, suttee etc…
-Gandhi & others cause Hindu ideas to spread worldwide
Holidays
-not surprisingly, a tremendous variety
-Kumbh Mela and other festivals center on Ganges River