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HINDUISM
EARLIEST KNOWN….
IN 1500 BCE, groups from Central Asia or Europe known as the Aryans
came in to the Indus valley and brought with them their religion that was
combined with that of the people who were there before.
Their philosophy and rituals were written in texts called the
vedas.
These are considered the earliest Hindu scriptures
Made gods of all the elements one of them being fire, which they called
Agni, and Vayu was the name of the god of wind and air
UPANISHADS
The second phase of the evolution of Hinduism began with the sacred
writings known as the Upanishads (which means to “sit before a teacher”)
They are teachings on the meanings of the Vedas
It marks the beginning of a new focus. No longer did they focus on the gods
of nature but on an inner focus.
It focused on the sacred truth behind all appearances, the one reality….
BRAHMAN
FOUR KEY CONCEPTS OF HUMAN
NATURE
Samsara:
The endless cycle of birth, death and rebirth
Karma
Our actions govern the cycle of death and rebirth
Dharma
The law of right action in any lifetime (our duty or path)
Moksha
Liberation from samsara and the illusion (Maya) of this world
BRAHMAN IS ATMAN
ATMAN IS BRAHMAN
Atman
Is the Hindu equivalent of our soul. It is the only REAL part of us.
Therefore it is the connection to Brahman. In fact it is Brahman since
Brahman is the only reality.
Hindus describe Brahman as
“Neti, Neti”
Meaning:
Not this, not this
GODS
THE TRIAD
Brahma
The creator of the universe
Has four faces and is seated on a lotus
Holds a book, a rosary and a gourd
His female counterpart is
Saraswati
Goddess of learning and the arts
She holds a book and a musical instrument
Sits on a peacock or swan
TRIAD CONTINUED
Vishnu
The preserver of the universe
A loving and forgiving figure
Has four arms holding a conch shell, a discus, a lotus and a mace
He rides on an eagle
Has many avatars
His companion is
Lakshmi
Goddess of wealth and happiness
Holds gold coins
Often surrounded by elephants
TRIAD CONTINUED….
Shiva
The destroyer god
He holds a trident, a rosary and a gourd in his hands
He rides a bull
He is also depicted as the god of the dance called
Nataraj
Who holds a drum, serpent and a sacred fire in his hands while performing
the dance of creation
Holds water from the river Ganges in his hair
SHIVA’S COMPLICATED WIFE
Shiva’s wife is
Known by many names. The one we need to know is
“The Black One”, the destroyer or
Kali!
OTHER GODS
Ganesha:
is the son of Shiva and Parvati
He has the head of an elephant with only one tusk
His other tusk is used as a pen for writing wise sayings from scriptures
He is the remover of all obstacles
HANUMAN
He is the monkey god
A model of devotion and everyone’s protector
AVATARS
Avatars
Incarnations of gods
The two most important avatars of Vishnu are
Rama and Krishna
IMPORTANT POEMS
Ramayana
Written around 1500 CE
Contains 24000 verses and is the story of Rama
Rama’s wife Sita is abducted by Ravana
Rama beats Ravana in battle with the help of Hanuman
And he and his wife live happily ever after
POEMS CONTINUED
Mahabharata
The longest poem in the world at 100 000 verses
Probably compiled between 400 BCE and 400 CE
It is the story of the Pandavas (the good guys)
And the Kauravas (the bad guys)
In the end the good guys win and rule for many years
BHAGAVAD-GITA
A very important component of the Mahabharata
Is considered by some to be the Hindu Bible
Is in the form of a dialogue between Krishna and his friend Arjuna
PATHS TO SALVATION
One
The Path of Devotion
A simple path which involves
Devotion to a personal deity
Puja: Acts of worship paid to a god or goddess
PATHS…..
Two
Path of Action
To do good deeds, to follow one’s dharma
To live in harmony with the Eternal Dharma or design of things
It is from this path that the caste system gets its strong following
PATHS…..
Three
Path of Wisdom
This is a much more difficult path that is for those who like philosophy
Followers learn about the relationship between the Brahman and atman
And the nature of the universe
PATHS…..
Four
The Path of Meditation
What is involved here is meditation and deep contemplation on Brahman
Leads to a trance-like state
If one can get in to this state they can acquire knowledge of the Truth
They can become one with Brahman
THE CASTE SYSTEM
The organization of Hindu society into four groups, each with its own duties
and expectations.
One enters a particular caste system based on how well they followed their
dharma in their previous life.
Although this system of “class structure” has been outlawed in India it still
exists today.
Each person is born into a certain caste and MUST live as that caste.
Different castes are not allowed to dine together, or marry each other.
CASTE SYSTEM CONTINUED
1.
Brahmins: they are the priestly caste. They are well educated and
considered the highest caste. They are the Hindu intellectuals.
2. Warrior Class: They are also the political leaders and police. They are
courageous, and strong in governing
3. Merchants and Farmers: They are also the entrepreneurs of the society (in
modern day, the middle class)
4. Servants:. They must serve the top three above.
5. Untouchables (or Outcastes): Because of their jobs they are considered
so low, you do not associate with them at all. They often times are the
poorest of the poor. Gandhi called them Harijans (children of God)
THE FOUR HINDU
STAGES OF LIFE
1.
Student: Duty is to gain knowledge, learn rules and rituals of Hinduism
and show respect for elders
2. Householder: Time to get married, have children and provide for one’s
family. Also, must give to those in need and practice faith
3. Forest Dweller: This stage is traditionally marked by the birth of the first
grandchild. The person at this stage, goes on a spiritual quest, leaving
behind all worldly bonds
4. Sannyasin (or ascetic): this stage is for those forest dwellers who are able
to enter society again but detached from all that is normal life. They even
give up their names and their past. If a person can reach this level, they
are often called Mahatma (meaning great soul). It is only from this level
that one can achieve Moksha after death.
THE FOUR GOALS OF LIFE
1.
Kama: Sensual pleasure. This is seen as a good not a bad, but it is the
lowest goal and a true sign one is not prepared for a “higher” life let
alone Moksha. One is truly caught up in the illusion of the world.
2. Artha: Material Success. This is the desire for power and praise from
others. At this stage there is the need to be the boss, to be popular, to be
“rich and famous”. Again, this is seen as fine but a lower goal. It is
higher than Kama because it is a little less self centred but again shows an
attachment to the illusion.
3. Dharma: To conduct one’s duty with compassion toward all beings. A
higher goal because of the true concern for others. There is a starting to
understand the “silliness” of being concerned with self…..illusion
4. Moksha: To want to achieve liberation from the world that is Maya
(illusion)
WOMEN IN HINDUISM
Traditionally a woman’s role was to follow her husband (her dharma is to be
obedient to her husband and follow his lead).
Divorce is frowned upon.
An ancient practice was Sati: where a wife’s responsibility was to jump on the
funeral pyre of her husband’s
This pratice has been outlawed for close to 100 years in India but there are
still examples of it taking place in some of the small villages from time to
time
HOLY COW
Hindus see the cow as “a manifestation of all that is good and precious”
They have put the cow in a place of importance for the following reasons;
1. Milk
2. Transportation
3. Farming
4. Many uses of manure
FESTIVALS
Diwali (or Divali): The Hindu festival of lights is the religion’s most popular
holiday. Celebrated over five days at the end of October or the beginning of
November. Hindus set off fireworks, decorate their houses with lights, give
gifts and wear new clothes to celebrate the triumph of good and knowledge
over the dark forces of evil and ignorance.
FESTIVALS CONTINUED
Holi
It is a spring festival that takes place sometime in March
Hindus of all ages join in the merriment of squirting coloured water on
friends and family members.
They eat sweets and pretend to be of another caste
MARRIAGES
Marriages in Hinduism are arranged.
Parents of the two (potential bride and groom) check to see they are
compatible socially (same caste), culturally and financially.
The ceremony last approximately three hours.
FUNERALS
When a person dies, the body is cremated and traditionally on the river bank
of the Ganges
The name of the Rama is chanted and holy songs are sung.
The family takes the ashes and scatters them in the river.
WHAT IS THIS A PAINTING OF?
VOCABULARY
Guru
Mantra
Om
Puja
Yoga