World religions hindu

World World ReligionsReligions

India: India: Hinduism Hinduism

The “NO” of HinduismThe “NO” of Hinduism

• NO single founderNO single founder

• NO specific theological systemNO specific theological system

• NO single system of moralityNO single system of morality

• NO central religious organizationNO central religious organization

Because of the “no” there is great diversity within Hinduism; Because of the “no” there is great diversity within Hinduism; in some manner it may be the most tolerant of all religions.in some manner it may be the most tolerant of all religions.

The possible religious views are virtually infinite.The possible religious views are virtually infinite.

Today, there are about 760 million followers of HinduismToday, there are about 760 million followers of Hinduism

With no identifiable founder, where With no identifiable founder, where does Hinduism come from?does Hinduism come from?

The Word HinduThe Word Hindu May come from the Persian word for IndiaMay come from the Persian word for India May come from a British corruption of the Sanskrit May come from a British corruption of the Sanskrit name for the Indus River: Sindhuname for the Indus River: Sindhu

The word was applied to all Indian people. Thus, to The word was applied to all Indian people. Thus, to be from India is to be Hindube from India is to be Hindu

A Brief HistoryA Brief History

• Migrations of Aryan peoples into India c. 2500 BCMigrations of Aryan peoples into India c. 2500 BCAryan does not describe a race but a language Aryan does not describe a race but a language

groupgroupLanguage is similar to European languagesLanguage is similar to European languagesAryan is Sanskrit for “noble ones”Aryan is Sanskrit for “noble ones”May be related to the Celts of the British IslesMay be related to the Celts of the British IslesCreated the Persian EmpireCreated the Persian EmpireWhen naming their country, the Persians called it Iran, When naming their country, the Persians called it Iran, land of the Aryansland of the Aryans

• Advanced peoples who built complex cities covering Advanced peoples who built complex cities covering nearly 500,000 sq. milesnearly 500,000 sq. miles

• Brought their polytheistic religions with them and Brought their polytheistic religions with them and mingled them with those of the people of Indiamingled them with those of the people of India

• From this mingling, classical Hinduism was bornFrom this mingling, classical Hinduism was born

Movement of Hindu Movement of Hindu DevelopmentDevelopment

• These peoples organized along tribal lines with chiefs These peoples organized along tribal lines with chiefs called “rajas”called “rajas”

• In time classes developed called “varnas”In time classes developed called “varnas”

• Other classes (varnas):Other classes (varnas):

Brahmins---priestsBrahmins---priests

Chieftains (rajas) and Warriors---top of the scaleChieftains (rajas) and Warriors---top of the scale

MerchantsMerchants

CommonersCommoners

Conquered peoples (not considered full members)Conquered peoples (not considered full members) • These divisions later became the basis for the caste These divisions later became the basis for the caste

systemsystem

A Brief HistoryA Brief History

Three Branches of HinduismThree Branches of Hinduism

• Vedic (Classical)Vedic (Classical)• Post-ClassicalPost-Classical• ModernModern

More than to specific time periods, these More than to specific time periods, these branches refer to periods when certain teachings, branches refer to periods when certain teachings,

deities, worship styles, or rituals either had not deities, worship styles, or rituals either had not developed, or had developed but were by developed, or had developed but were by

dominated others.dominated others.

The Vedic or Classical EraThe Vedic or Classical Era

The VedasThe Vedas Mean “Knowledge” or “sacred lore”Mean “Knowledge” or “sacred lore” Are the basic sacred literature (books) of Hindus, Are the basic sacred literature (books) of Hindus,

considered by many Hindus to be divineconsidered by many Hindus to be divine Four Vedic books made up of four parts eachFour Vedic books made up of four parts each

Part one: Part one: hymns or mantras to the godshymns or mantras to the godsPart four: Part four: The Upanishads (material written after the The Upanishads (material written after the

Vedas)Vedas) Provide a Hindu understanding of the universeProvide a Hindu understanding of the universe Other Hindu literature is considered Other Hindu literature is considered commentary commentary

on the Vedason the Vedas Vedas were still developing as late as c. 400 BCVedas were still developing as late as c. 400 BC

The oldest and most important Veda, the Rig-The oldest and most important Veda, the Rig-Veda, dates back to c. 2000 BCVeda, dates back to c. 2000 BC

Collection of 1,000 hymns to the Aryan godsCollection of 1,000 hymns to the Aryan gods Contains much mythology of these godsContains much mythology of these gods The god given most attention in the Rig-Veda is IndraThe god given most attention in the Rig-Veda is Indra Vishnu (later the most important Hindu god) is given Vishnu (later the most important Hindu god) is given only minor mentiononly minor mention



The UpanishadsThe Upanishads Early philosophical statements (date to c. 9Early philosophical statements (date to c. 9thth century BC) century BC) Are clearly monistic (not polytheistic as early Vedas)Are clearly monistic (not polytheistic as early Vedas) Only one reality---the god-being BrahmanOnly one reality---the god-being Brahman All other beings are expressions of Brahman---all that is not All other beings are expressions of Brahman---all that is not Brahman is not realBrahman is not real

Human beings are consumed with Maya (false knowledge) Human beings are consumed with Maya (false knowledge) and believe that this life and separation from Brahman are and believe that this life and separation from Brahman are realreal

Humanity’s real problem is Avidya (ignorance) of their plight; Humanity’s real problem is Avidya (ignorance) of their plight; they are deceived about their true naturethey are deceived about their true nature

The task of religion is to show the divine nature within us and The task of religion is to show the divine nature within us and how to live on a new planehow to live on a new plane

Proper worship is meditation, not making sacrifice to the godsProper worship is meditation, not making sacrifice to the gods

• BRAHMANBRAHMAN ULTIMATE REALITYULTIMATE REALITY• MAYAMAYA ILLUSIONLLUSION• AVIDYAAVIDYA IGNORANCEIGNORANCE• ATMANATMAN INDIVIDUAL SELF OR SOULINDIVIDUAL SELF OR SOUL• SAMSARASAMSARA ENDLESS WHEEL OF CYCLICAL ENDLESS WHEEL OF CYCLICAL

TIMETIME• MOKSHAMOKSHA LIBERATION FROM WHEELLIBERATION FROM WHEEL• BRAHMINBRAHMIN ONE WHO HAS ACHIEVED ONE WHO HAS ACHIEVED

ENLIGHTENMENTENLIGHTENMENT• KARMAKARMA A MEASUREA MEASURE• VARNAVARNA CASTE SYSTEMASTE SYSTEM

Terms & Concepts Introduced in the Terms & Concepts Introduced in the UpanishadsUpanishads

The Code of ManuThe Code of Manu

• Further developed the ethical standards of Further developed the ethical standards of HinduismHinduism

• Affirmed the varna system as divinely ordainedAffirmed the varna system as divinely ordained• Discusses marriage, male female relationships, Discusses marriage, male female relationships,

dietary restrictions, etc.dietary restrictions, etc.• Claims the killing of cows is a great sin punishable Claims the killing of cows is a great sin punishable

by having a cow control your brain for a yearby having a cow control your brain for a year

Bhagavad GitaBhagavad Gita

• An epic poem forming the concluding statement of An epic poem forming the concluding statement of classical Hindu cultureclassical Hindu culture

• The story of leading Hindu families and their struggle for The story of leading Hindu families and their struggle for dominationdomination

• Key characters: Arjuna and KrishnaKey characters: Arjuna and Krishna• Krishna is revealed as the reincarnation of VishnuKrishna is revealed as the reincarnation of Vishnu• Krishna affirms:Krishna affirms:

the Upanishads as supreme scripturesthe Upanishads as supreme scriptures

People should perform their caste duties and avoid People should perform their caste duties and avoid karmakarma

Be open and devoted to a variety of religious Be open and devoted to a variety of religious expressionsexpressions

Post-Classical HinduismPost-Classical Hinduism

A Period Marked By:A Period Marked By: Worship centered on a few godsWorship centered on a few gods Temples built to honor these godsTemples built to honor these gods These gods took wives or consortsThese gods took wives or consorts Negative, world and life (pleasure)-denying forces Negative, world and life (pleasure)-denying forces

predominatepredominate Life-view is an endless cycle of birth, death, rebirthLife-view is an endless cycle of birth, death, rebirth The goal of religion is to cease livingThe goal of religion is to cease living Ascetics who deny themselves pleasure—not mighty Ascetics who deny themselves pleasure—not mighty

warriors—are the real heroswarriors—are the real heros


During the Period, Devotion Centered on Three Major During the Period, Devotion Centered on Three Major GodsGods

BrahmaBrahma Given least attention—pictured as red with four Given least attention—pictured as red with four

bearded faces and four armsbearded faces and four arms

ShivaShiva God of death, destruction, and reproductionGod of death, destruction, and reproduction Most popular of the periodMost popular of the period Followers put a trident on their facesFollowers put a trident on their faces Special to ascetics because he tortures their fleshSpecial to ascetics because he tortures their flesh Believed to be ultimate realityBelieved to be ultimate reality

Death and reproduction come under his powerDeath and reproduction come under his power

Humans are separated from Shiva due to ignorance, Humans are separated from Shiva due to ignorance, Karma, and illusionKarma, and illusion

Many Shivaites in India todayMany Shivaites in India today

His consort is the more destructive Kali, who is His consort is the more destructive Kali, who is depicted depicted with a necklace of skulls, tearing away the flesh of with a necklace of skulls, tearing away the flesh of

sacrificed victims and drinking bloodsacrificed victims and drinking blood


VishnuVishnu God of love, play, and forgivenessGod of love, play, and forgiveness Enjoys tricks and pranksEnjoys tricks and pranks Appeared many times on earth as avatars like KrishnaAppeared many times on earth as avatars like Krishna Hare Krishna is example of the sect’s devotees Hare Krishna is example of the sect’s devotees


Sankhya systemSankhya systemAtheistic – recognizes no personal godsAtheistic – recognizes no personal godsDualistic – posits a spirit and matter that Dualistic – posits a spirit and matter that encompasses all encompasses all that isthat is

Yoga systemYoga systemMeans “to join”Means “to join”The world is a dualism between atman and BrahmanThe world is a dualism between atman and BrahmanYoga seeks to join the individual spirit (atman) to Yoga seeks to join the individual spirit (atman) to

BrahmanBrahmanMain feature: meditation (even essential for the gods)Main feature: meditation (even essential for the gods)

Devotion to Knowledge:Five Philosophical Systems


Eight Steps to YogaEight Steps to Yoga Vows of restraintVows of restraint Internal control, calmness and equanimityInternal control, calmness and equanimity Certain bodily postures to achieve the aims of yogaCertain bodily postures to achieve the aims of yoga Breath controlBreath control Control of the senses for shutting out the worldControl of the senses for shutting out the world Extreme concentration on a single objectExtreme concentration on a single object MeditationMeditation Trance in which “yogin” becomes one with BrahmanTrance in which “yogin” becomes one with Brahman


Mimansa SystemMimansa SystemHeld to the early VedasHeld to the early VedasRevered Shiva as the highest GodRevered Shiva as the highest GodConcerned with avoiding rebirthConcerned with avoiding rebirth Vaisheshika SystemVaisheshika SystemBelieves that the world is made of nine distinct Believes that the world is made of nine distinct

elements: earth, air, water, fire, soul, mind, ether, elements: earth, air, water, fire, soul, mind, ether, time, spacetime, space

These elements are eternal and uncreated; thus, These elements are eternal and uncreated; thus, no gods are neededno gods are needed


Vedanta SystemVedanta SystemMost popular systemMost popular systemCommitted to the UpanishadsCommitted to the UpanishadsIt is monistic: the human world really does not existIt is monistic: the human world really does not existHumankind’s basic problem is not evil but Humankind’s basic problem is not evil but

ignorance as to its true stateignorance as to its true stateA primary branch of Vendanta is called Advaita, A primary branch of Vendanta is called Advaita,

meaning “nondual”meaning “nondual”

Spiritual

World religions hindu