By Abbas Hussain

AREPP

ObjectivesBy the end of the presentation learners will be

able toKnow about the origin of Hinduism as religion

and the origin of word it self.Understand the caste system in Hindu religionDiscuss upon the 4 stages of life of a Hindu manIdentify sacred texts and their importance with

Hindu teachings.Conceptualize the idea of rebirth and liberationList down different Hindu observances like ritual

purification, pilgrimage and festivals.

OriginThe Aryans noble man or land lordsCivilization of 2500 BCEAreas of Indus valleyReligion of aryan was arya-dharmaHindus consider them as their source and

inspiration.

Cont….The term Hindu is corruption of word SindhuIt is the Sanskrit name for Indus RiverToday applied to members of Hindu religionSome preferred to be called by caste or

community.Most common description is sanatana

dharma the eternal law

Social structureCasteSocial stratification called varna (color)Caste system develop due to multiracial

society others says

Imposed by lighter skin aryans when they conquered darker ones

Highly complex system comprising of 3000 groups

Four major classesBrahmana or brahminKshatriyaVaisyaSudra

BrahminsCentral place of powerPriests, the spiritual and intellectual leadersSpent time in studying, teaching, performing

sacrifices and officiating religious services.

KshtriyasRulersWarriorsNobles protectedAdministrativePromote material welfare of soceity

VaisyasFarmersMerchantsTradersContribute to economic well-being

SudrasLaborersServantsSupply service to first three groups

ChandalasThe fifth categoryUntouchablesStatus is so low that does not belong to any

classExcluded from communal rituals not permitted to draw water from public

wells

Justification for social stratificationKarma the actionSamsara the reincarnationBirth in particular class determine past life

karma“Those who conduct here on earth has been

good will quickly attain some good birth-birth as brahmin, birth as kshatriya, or birth as a vaisya. But those whose conduct here has been evil will quickly attain some evil birth- birth as dog,birth as pig,or birth as chandala.” (Chandogya Upanishad 5.10.7)

The stages of lifeAshrama the stages of lifeThe specific set of duties and

responsibilities of male Hindu of three upper class

The stages are youth adult hood middle age old age

Youth (brahmacarin)A studentAge between eight and tweleveDisciplined and instructed by guruServe guru with absolute humility

Adult hood (grishashta)A house holderLive an active married lifeApply three ideals of social living like observance of accepted religious duties accumulation of wealth and enjoyment of

sensual pleasure

Middle age (Vanaprastha)Forest dwellerHairs turns grey or first grandson bornLead a life of reflection and meditationExpected for complete detachment from

material life

Old age (sannyasin)RenouncerLife of wandering asceticGoal is to attain liberation from rebirth or

reincarnation

Hindu sacred textNo single definitive textStill classified in to two parts Shruti Smriti

Shruti (hearing)Group of writing having eternal and sacred

knowledgeRevealed to rishis or seersTransmitted orally to brhamin generationsIt has four major texts the Vedas the Brahmanas the Aranyakas the Upanishads

The Vedas (bodies of knowledge)

Rig Veda Mostly prayers and praise Collection of 1000 hymns

Sama- Veda Rythmic chants from rig veda

Yajur- Veda Prose passages on sacrificial rituals

Atharva- Veda Magical spells, incantations and kingly duties.

The BrahmanasHave mystical meanings of many ritesDescribe detail ritual

The Aranyaks (forest books)Written for religious aestheteEsoteric in content Express innermost nature of human kind and

universe

The UpanishadsBasic philosophy of hinduismViewed as culmination of sacred knowledge

Smriti (memory)Represent traditionExamples are The Epic The Code of Manu The Puranas

The EpicMahabharata Longest epic : deals with law, religion and

politicsHas three famous stories bhagvad geeta (song of lord) dialogue between warrior and blessed lord Krishna

Ramayana Story of prince Ramam

The code of ManuMarriage lawsDietary regulationsDuties of various casteCivil and criminal laws Daily rites and scarifiesEthical subjects

The PuranasGnealogy of gods, sages and kingsDescription of creation, destruction and

recreation of universeScriptures of the common folk

Hindu teachingsAbsolute reality

Female Energetic, violent, emotional and potentially destructivee.g. goddess Kali

Male Cool, dispassionate and serene.e.g. devas like Varuna, Mitra and Vishnu

The MantrasFormulation of truth in soundInternalized speech of truth

RebirthEvery living form is subject to an indefinite

series of lives and existencesFuture existence is determine by law of karma

“well then…I shall tell you about this profound and eternal Brahman and also about what happens to the atman (soul) after meeting death. Some soul enter the womb for the purpose of re embodiment and some enter into stationary objects-according to their work (karma) and according to their knowledge.” (Katha Upanishads2.2.6-7;3.4).

LiberationFour basic needs of human lifeFirst two are pleasure and wealth (path of

desire).Last two are moral duty and liberation (path

of renunciation)Ultimate satisfaction of their duty is moksha,

liberation from cycles of rebirth

Hindu observancesDevotional obligations a hindu should make five offering daily, to

gods, to ancestors, to seers, to animals and to the poor.

private devotion also consist of tending sacred house hold fire, recitation of text, repetition of mantras, meditation and yoga exercises.

ceremonial awakening and bathing of the deity and invocation of name of deity.

Hindu observancesRitual purification concepts of cleanliness and

contamination. two aspects of internal and external

purificationExternal: washing and bathingInternal: esoteric techniques by prescribed

formulas or yogic posture.

PilgrimageVisiting holy placesMany hope to die in the precincts of varansai

(benares).

FestivalsActs of worship, fasting vigils, bathing,

recitation of chants, taking of vows, lightening of lamp, fairs, games, drinking, gambling and offering gifts to Brahman.

Divali or Dipavali: cluster of lightsHoli or Hutashami

References:Nigosian.S.A. 2000. World religion a

historical approach, Hinduism. 3rd edition.Basu. D.A. 2002. The essence of Hinduism