Download Chapter 3: Ancient Indian Civilizations

Chapter 4: Ancient India and China
Section 2 – Hinduism
OM Chant
Hindu Om (Aum) represents the Supreme Being, Brahman,
and embodies the essence of the entire universe
Section 2 – Hinduism
Main Idea
The religion of Hinduism developed and evolved over
a long time in India, giving rise to a variety of beliefs
and practices and to other religions, including Jainism.
Focus
• What basic teachings do most Hindus share?
• What are the sacred texts and religious practices of
Hinduism?
• What are the teachings of Jainism?
I. Basic Teachings of Hinduism
Hinduism evolved over thousands of years;
influenced by many cultures and traditions
A. Brahman
Hindus believe in Brahman, an eternal, allencompassing being
The Supreme Cosmic Spirit
or Absolute Reality called
Brahman is believed to be
eternal, genderless,
omnipotent, omniscient,
omnipresent, and ultimately
indescribable in human
language.
A. Brahman
Everyone has atman, an aspect of Brahman that
shapes personality and cannot be destroyed
A. Brahman
Devas - manifestations of Brahman; help
maintain order in nature
A. Brahman
Three devas have great influence - Brahma,
Vishnu, Siva
The Trimurti: Supreme Triad consisting of three great gods:
Brahma, Vishnu, and Siva. This Triad represents all aspects
of the Supreme Being: Creation, Preservation, Destruction
B. Rebirth and Salvation
Hindus believe everything is part of a continual
pattern of birth, death, and rebirth
B. Rebirth and Salvation
After death, atman is released/reborn in a
process called reincarnation, or samsara
B. Rebirth and Salvation
New life shaped by karma:
good karma = better life
bad karma = lower station in life
B. Rebirth and Salvation
Moksha = escape from cycle of rebirth, the goal
of existence; atman reunites with Brahman
B. Rebirth and Salvation
Moksha achieved by fulfilling dharma, creating
good karma, and breaking free from cycle of
rebirth
10 Rules of Dharma in Hinduism
Patience
Forgiveness
Piety
Honesty
Sanctity
Control of one’s senses
Reason
Knowledge
Truthfulness
Absence of anger
II. Sacred Texts and Practices
Hinduism evolved from sacred writings
produced over centuries
II. Sacred Texts and Practices
Sacred texts sorted into one of three categories:
- Vedas, the core of Hinduism
- Writings inspired by Vedas
- Sacred epics
II. Sacred Texts and Practices
Vedas - hymns of praise, earliest sacred texts;
revealed to humans by Brahman
The Vedas are the recordings of sages to whom the mantras
were revealed. They proclaim the transcendental Truth,
which is not changed by time or place.
II. Sacred Texts and Practices
Upanishads - written explanations of the Vedic
religion
II. Sacred Texts and Practices
Ramayana - epic poem of Rama and Sita;
became role models for men and women
II. Sacred Texts and Practices
The Mahabharata tells of a great battle
between sibling clans
Lord Krishna holding a chariot wheel as he rushes towards Bhishma
in the Battlefield of Kurukshetra. Arjuna is begging him not to break
his oath of not wielding arms during the war.
II. Sacred Texts and Practices
The last 18 chapters make up the Bhagavad
Gita, the most famous of Hindu scriptures
The Bhagavad Gita ("Song of God") is
revered as one of the sacred and highly
esteemed scriptures of Hinduism. The
content of the Gita is the conversation
between Krishna and Arjuna taking
place on the battlefield before the start
of the Kurukshetra war. Responding to
Arjuna's confusion and moral dilemma,
Krishna explains to Arjuna his duties as
a warrior and prince. This has led to the
Gita often being described as a concise
guide to Hindu philosophy and also as a
practical guide to life.
II. Sacred Texts and Practices
Religious practices include worship, meditation,
and pilgrimages
Practicing Yoga
Pilgrim bathers at the
sacred Ganges River
III. Jainism
ca. 500 BC - group of Hindus, led by teacher
Mahavira, founded Jainism
III. Jainism
Thought ritual was unnecessary; could achieve
moksha by giving up worldly things, controlling
actions, and practicing ahimsa
III. Jainism
Jains tell only truth, avoid stealing, and
eliminate negative acts which prevent moksha
Ganesha Chaturthi, the great Ganesha festival, is celebrated
by Hindus around the world as the birthday of Lord Ganesha.