Download Religion and Philosophy of South Asia

Objectives: Examine
Religions of South Asia
Do Now: Describe 3 morals/lesson taught
by Ramayanna (yesterday’s story)
Religion and Philosophy of
South Asia
Hinduism
Originated more than 3000 year ago.
Do not have 1 specific founder.
3rd most practiced religion in the world with about
1 billion followers (1.4 million in US)
Originated in India
Belief in a supreme spirit
Oldest in the world but developed over the
centuries from many different texts.
There is no hierarchy like Catholic
Background
The term Hindu originates from the Sindhu,
the ancient name for the Indus river.
Classical language=Sanskrit. It is the
language for Hinduism and is one of India’s
22 official languages (less than 50000
fluent)
The faiths traditions and beliefs developed
from the ancient Vedic tradition.
Vedas and Roots of Hinduism
Unlike many religions, Hinduism bases its
principles on a collection of teachings
compiled over time.
Earliest collection are the Vedas Scriptures.
Other notable scriptures are the BhagavadGita, the Brahma Sutras, and the epics
Ramayana and Mahabharata
Vedic Teaching
The Vedas was orally transmitted
throughout centuries if not millennia
Most who practice will admit that a portion
of what is written is myth, it is more about
the morals and principles than the stories
themselves
Core Concepts
Dharma- Ethics, duties and obligations
Samsara-Rebirth
Karma- Right actions
Moksha- Salvation for every soul
Dharma
Duty and Obligation based on Compassion.
– An individuals dharmic path must be followed
or bad Karma will result
– Working to fulfill obligations on the contrary,
will result in good karma
– The goal is to achieve Moksha (spiritual
enlightenment or a spiritual experience)
Samsara
A cycle of birth, death and rebirth that is a
matter of fact to those who practice
Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism
Atman (the human soul) transfers from one
life to the next.
Karma
A Law of Cause and Effect
– The sum of a persons actions in one of his/her
states of existence
– The purposeful actions of the mind or the body
In other words- What you do now will
help/haunt you in the future
Moksha
(Mukti)
The release of the soul from the state of
transcendence (the birth, death, rebirth
cycle)
This can only be achieved through self
enlightenment. The state of realization
• Intangible
• Not monistic
Brahman
This Supreme Cosmic Spirit is regarded to be
eternal, genderless, omnipotent, omniscient,
and omnipresent, yet indescribable. It can be
at best described as infinite Being, infinite
Consciousness and infinite Bliss. It is
regarded as the source and sum of the
cosmos, that constricted by time, space, and
causation, as pure being, the ‘world soul’
which also can take many forms or
manifestations of the thousands of gods. It
was deemed a singular substrate from which
all that is arises, and debuts with this verse:
Brahman
The Varna (Caste System)
4 different castes– Never change within a
lifetime.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Brahmin- priests and educated people
Kshatria- Rulers and Aristocrats
Vaisia- Landlords and Businessmen
Sundra- Peasants and working class
Untouchables (literally cannot be touched by the
other 4 castes)- Cleaning, sewage, etc.
Untouchable
Jat
The Varna is broken down further into
various Jat or Jati.
– Must eat according to Caste
– Must work according to Caste
– Must marry within the Caste
Do Now
What are the benefits of the Hindu Caste
System?
Temples
Originally did not have temples, idols or
icons.
There are temples that exist today that are
usually dedicated to one deity.
Temples are often sites of pilgrimages.
Hindu and Diet
Many Hindus are vegetarian
– Since the divine soul flows through all beings, many
devout Hindus support non-violence.
– Some will not eat meat on important days
– If meat is eaten, usually fish or chicken
– Cows are Venerated (highly respected) at it is illegal to
slaughter a cow in most Indian states
• Because they provided milk and helped plow fields. They
were caretakers
Festivals
Diwali, also known as the festival of
lights.
Ganesh Chaturthi, the festival celebrating Lord
Ganesha.
Maha Shivaratri, The night of Lord Shiva when he
drank Halahala to save gods and demons from its
effect.
Ramanavami, celebrates the birthday of Lord Ram
Holi, The spring festival of colors and light.
Symbols
Aum- (Om) is the most
sacred symbol of
Hinduism. Most mantras
begin with this sound. It
represents Brahman (the
universal spirit)
Swastika- Represents the
4 Vedas
Religions of India
Hinduism 80%
Islam
Christianity
Sikhism
Buddhism
Jainism
Other
Buddhism
Jainism
Sikhism
Siddhartha Gautama
Born in 560 BCE into wealth
One day journeyed beyond
walls and saw suffering.
He left his wife and family and
searched out the cause of
suffering.
After six years of searching he
found enlightenment while
sitting under a sacred tree.
The Buddha (Enlightened One)
Teachings– 4 noble truths
1. Suffering is universal
(everyone suffers)
2. The cause of suffering is desire
3. The only way to end suffering
is to be rid of desire
4. By following the Eightfold
Path, suffering can end.
–
Nirvana is the condition of
wanting nothing
Buddhism Vs. Hinduism
Siddhartha believed
himself to be a Hindu
Nevertheless
– Rejected the caste
system
– God did not exist
– Priest were not
necessary– Individual
journey
Similarities
–
–
–
–
Reincarnation
Karma
Dharma
Nirvana (Moksha) selfenlightenment
Spread of Buddhism
People began carrying the message of
Buddhism throughout Asia
Monasteries and convents provided a place
where people could devote themselves to
the Eightfold Path.
Two sects developed
• Theravada– Did not worship anyone
• Mahayana– Worshiped Buddha and other
enlightened ones as god
Jainism
Jainism
Based on Hinduism
3 Jewels– Right Faith, Right
Knowledge and Right Conduct
Mahivira was the founder
Emphasized Ahimsa (non-violence)
– Strict vegetarians
– Swept ground to avoid killing
Reincarnation
Objective– Rid jiva (soul) of all Kharma
Gods do not help (religion of self-help)
Jainism Continued
5 Mahavratas
– Non Violence
– Non-Attachment
– Sexual Restraint
– Not Lying
– Not Stealing
Agamas– Sacred texts (had to
be memorized due to nonattachment)
2 Sects-- the Digambara
(meaning "sky clad") sect and
the Svetambara (meaning
"white clad") sect
Nuns and Monks are spiritual
leaders
Sikhism
Sikhism
1500 CE
Nanak was the founder
One God- Waheguru
Teachings of 10 Sikh gurus
Guru Granth Sahib (the holy scripture)
Punjab – almost exclusively
Attention on god rather than self
Karma
Become one with god by serving others
Sikhism
3 foci
– Keep god in mind at all times
– Earn an honest living
– Give help to others
5 Vices
–
–
–
–
–
Lust
Covetousness and greed
Attachment to things of this world
Anger
Pride