Judaism Oldest of the Major Western Religions. Began around 1500 BC in the Middle East.
Hinduism. Introduction Oldest and most complex of all Religions Oldest and most complex of all...
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Transcript of Hinduism. Introduction Oldest and most complex of all Religions Oldest and most complex of all...
HinduismHinduism
IntroductionIntroduction Oldest and most complex of all ReligionsOldest and most complex of all Religions
33rdrd millennium B.C.E. millennium B.C.E. Most diverse and varied religionMost diverse and varied religion Allows for literally millions of major and minor gods, Allows for literally millions of major and minor gods,
their temples, and their priests.their temples, and their priests. Therefore, for the Hindu, the possible religious views Therefore, for the Hindu, the possible religious views
are virtually infinite. are virtually infinite. Been the source of 3 other religions Jainism, Been the source of 3 other religions Jainism,
Buddhism, & SikhismBuddhism, & Sikhism Hindu comes from the Sanskrit name for the river Hindu comes from the Sanskrit name for the river
Indus, Indus, SindhuSindhu The term Hindu was not used until Muslim invaders The term Hindu was not used until Muslim invaders
used this term for the non coverts, Then the British used this term for the non coverts, Then the British used it, and it is not until recently that Hindus use this used it, and it is not until recently that Hindus use this term the same way.term the same way.
Today substantial Hindu communities exists in India, Today substantial Hindu communities exists in India, Southeast Asia, Europe, Africa, the Caribbean, and Southeast Asia, Europe, Africa, the Caribbean, and North America North America
Origins: Pre-AryanOrigins: Pre-Aryan Begins with migratory waves of the Aryan Begins with migratory waves of the Aryan
people, “the noble ones”, in to India during people, “the noble ones”, in to India during the 2the 2ndnd millennium B.C.E. millennium B.C.E.
We know of early civilizations in India around We know of early civilizations in India around 3000-2500 B.C.E. but have not deciphered 3000-2500 B.C.E. but have not deciphered the language to know if they had any the language to know if they had any religious structurereligious structure Statues and figures have been found:Statues and figures have been found:
Sitting in lotus positionSitting in lotus position Fertiltity gods and goddessesFertiltity gods and goddesses
Large ceremonial buildings (possible worship Large ceremonial buildings (possible worship place)place)
Hinduism may have been influence3d from Hinduism may have been influence3d from these early peoplethese early people
Origins: Pre-Aryan cont…Origins: Pre-Aryan cont…
Have found many similarities between the Have found many similarities between the Indian Vedic Literature and the Gaths of Indian Vedic Literature and the Gaths of ZoroastrianismZoroastrianism
Aryan society developed 3 basic classes Aryan society developed 3 basic classes called called varnas varnas (became the basis of the (became the basis of the caste system):caste system): Brahmins:Brahmins: Priests of the cults (upper) Priests of the cults (upper) Kshatriyas:Kshatriyas: Chieftains and warriors (upper) Chieftains and warriors (upper) Vaishays:Vaishays: Commoners and merchants (middle) Commoners and merchants (middle) Shudras: CShudras: Conquered people, slaves & servantsonquered people, slaves & servants
Origins: Aryan ReligionOrigins: Aryan Religion
Polytheistic (multiple gods)Polytheistic (multiple gods) Believed in sacrificesBelieved in sacrifices
Because Aryans were nomadic no Because Aryans were nomadic no temples were built in the early daystemples were built in the early days
Animals, dairy products (poured onto Animals, dairy products (poured onto the god), fire, juice of the god), fire, juice of somasoma plant, plant, Horse sacrifice: elaborate and expensive, a Horse sacrifice: elaborate and expensive, a
male horse roamed and was followed for 1 male horse roamed and was followed for 1 year, when sacrifice occurred over 600 year, when sacrifice occurred over 600 other animals were sacrificed also from other animals were sacrificed also from bees to elephants.bees to elephants.
The Vedic Era: The Vedic Era: The VedasThe Vedas
Oldest sacred book of HinduismOldest sacred book of Hinduism Basic source of understanding the universeBasic source of understanding the universe Written in Written in VedicVedic, predecessor of Sanskrit, predecessor of Sanskrit
Were developed as Aryans came into IndiaWere developed as Aryans came into India Exact time frame disputedExact time frame disputed
Some say created before 2000 B.C.E. and were Some say created before 2000 B.C.E. and were developing as late as 6developing as late as 6thth century C.E. century C.E.
Others contend development between 1500-400 B.C.EOthers contend development between 1500-400 B.C.E No way to know exact date of originNo way to know exact date of origin
11stst ones were composed and told verbally over many ones were composed and told verbally over many generationsgenerations
Centuries may have passed between their origin and Centuries may have passed between their origin and completioncompletion
The Vedic Era: The Vedic Era: The VedasThe Vedas
Four basic Vedic booksFour basic Vedic books Rig-Veda (knowledge or sacred lore) (most important)Rig-Veda (knowledge or sacred lore) (most important)
Collection of 1,000 hymns to the Aryan GodsCollection of 1,000 hymns to the Aryan Gods Contains basic mythology of these godsContains basic mythology of these gods
Yajur-VedaYajur-Veda (knowledge of rites) (knowledge of rites) Collection of materials to be recited during sacrifice to the Collection of materials to be recited during sacrifice to the
godsgods Sama-VedaSama-Veda (knowledge of the chants) (knowledge of the chants)
Collection of verses from the basic hymns recited by priests Collection of verses from the basic hymns recited by priests at sacrificesat sacrifices
Atharva-VedaAtharva-Veda (knowledge given by the sage Atharava) (knowledge given by the sage Atharava) 22ndnd most important most important Contains rituals to be used in the home and popular prayers Contains rituals to be used in the home and popular prayers
to the godsto the gods Also has spells an incantations to ward off evilAlso has spells an incantations to ward off evil
The Vedic Era: The Vedic Era: The VedasThe Vedas
Each Vedic book has 4 partsEach Vedic book has 4 parts MantrasMantras (hymns to the gods) oldest (hymns to the gods) oldest BrahmanasBrahmanas (ritual materials) oldest (ritual materials) oldest AranyakasAranyakas (Forest Treatises) newer (Forest Treatises) newer UpanishadsUpanishads (philosophical material) newer (philosophical material) newer
Within the Vedas are basic descriptions and mythology of Within the Vedas are basic descriptions and mythology of the various Aryan and pre-Aryan godsthe various Aryan and pre-Aryan gods Most mentioned god: Most mentioned god:
Indra (god of thunderbolt, clouds, rain, ruler of heaven0Indra (god of thunderbolt, clouds, rain, ruler of heaven0 Angi (god of fire & priests)Angi (god of fire & priests) Varuna (presides over the order of the universe & forgives those Varuna (presides over the order of the universe & forgives those
who have sinned)who have sinned) Important story is the Story of ManuImportant story is the Story of Manu
Speaks of the origin of women and the growth of the human raceSpeaks of the origin of women and the growth of the human race Only grew are well versed in the Vedic language todayOnly grew are well versed in the Vedic language today Some gods mentioned in the Vedas are no longer Some gods mentioned in the Vedas are no longer
worshipedworshiped
The UpanishadsThe Upanishads Becomes the basis for Becomes the basis for
later Hindu thoughtlater Hindu thought Currently are about 200Currently are about 200
Vary in length 1- over 50 Vary in length 1- over 50 pagespages
14 of them are considered as 14 of them are considered as principalprincipal
Earliest around 9Earliest around 9thth cent cent B.C.E.B.C.E.
2 thought of what they are2 thought of what they are Considered to be the Considered to be the
philosophical expression of philosophical expression of what one finds in the Vedaswhat one finds in the Vedas
It points out disharmonyIt points out disharmony
Other Other VedasVedas
UpanishaUpanishadsds
PolytheistPolytheisticicGives Gives instruction on instruction on proper worship proper worship of myriad godsof myriad godsSacrificeSacrifice
MonotheiMonotheisticsticGods of early lit Gods of early lit not importantnot importantOnly one reality, Only one reality, the impersonal the impersonal god-being called god-being called BrahmanBrahmanAll that is not All that is not Brahman is not Brahman is not realrealWritten as a Written as a reaction to reaction to prescribed prescribed worshipworshipMeditation=worMeditation=worshipship
The UpanishadsThe Upanishads Brahman (one true reality in the universe)Brahman (one true reality in the universe)
Is eternalIs eternal InfiniteInfinite UnknowableUnknowable SexlessSexless Without past, present, futureWithout past, present, future Totally impersonalTotally impersonal
The living beings that inhabit the world are really only The living beings that inhabit the world are really only expressions of the Brahmanexpressions of the Brahman They are souls that are a part of something biggerThey are souls that are a part of something bigger All phenomenal existence is illusionAll phenomenal existence is illusion A persons individuality apart from Brahman (lives, sees, A persons individuality apart from Brahman (lives, sees,
hears, touches, and feels) is all an illusion, a dreamhears, touches, and feels) is all an illusion, a dream It is the task of religion to reveal the divine within us and It is the task of religion to reveal the divine within us and
to show us how to live on the new planeto show us how to live on the new plane
The UpanishadsThe Upanishads
KarmaKarma: comes from Sanskrit root : comes from Sanskrit root meaning “to do or act”meaning “to do or act” In classical period, Indians came to In classical period, Indians came to
believe that every action and every believe that every action and every thought had its consequencethought had its consequence Marking the individual internallyMarking the individual internally An effect felt either in life or in a An effect felt either in life or in a
succeeding onesucceeding one Someone with positive qualities = a positive pastSomeone with positive qualities = a positive past A criminal = a negative pastA criminal = a negative past
The UpanishadsThe Upanishads
SamsaraSamsara: “to wander across”: “to wander across” Indians believe that the life force of an Indians believe that the life force of an
individual does not die with the death of individual does not die with the death of the body, but instead “wanders across”the body, but instead “wanders across”
Life force moves on to another time and Life force moves on to another time and body, where it continues to live body, where it continues to live (reincarnation or transmigration of (reincarnation or transmigration of souls)souls)
The UpanishadsThe Upanishads
Some view Some view samsarasamsara as a curse as a curse One is bound to life in ignorance & painOne is bound to life in ignorance & pain Living over and over again through countless Living over and over again through countless
generationsgenerations Goal of most Indian religions is to break Goal of most Indian religions is to break
the cycle of the cycle of karmakarma & & samsarasamsara and be free and be free from the burden of lifefrom the burden of life This is called This is called moksha moksha
This is being freed from all bondsThis is being freed from all bonds Achieve unity with the BrahmanAchieve unity with the Brahman This is difficult (many lifetimes)This is difficult (many lifetimes)
The Law of ManuThe Law of Manu
Written 300 B.C.E. - 300 C.E.Written 300 B.C.E. - 300 C.E. Contains ethical and social standardsContains ethical and social standards Roots of many social and religious Roots of many social and religious
traditions that characterize modern traditions that characterize modern HinduismHinduism
VarnaVarna system: system: Brahman, Raja, Vaishya, SudraBrahman, Raja, Vaishya, Sudra
Understanding of reincarnationUnderstanding of reincarnation
The Law of ManuThe Law of Manu Stages of life that upper-caste (the upper 3 caste levels) Stages of life that upper-caste (the upper 3 caste levels)
men were expected to pass through:men were expected to pass through: Student (study the Vedas)Student (study the Vedas) Be a householder and marry within his casteBe a householder and marry within his caste
This is most importantThis is most important Time of wealth and pleasureTime of wealth and pleasure
After Grandchildren are grown man may retreat to forest and After Grandchildren are grown man may retreat to forest and live as a hermit, meditating and offering sacrificeslive as a hermit, meditating and offering sacrifices
Wandering beggars (Wandering beggars (sannyasisannyasi)) Women are to stay at home under the control and Women are to stay at home under the control and
protection of the chief male of the household.protection of the chief male of the household. Nothing should be done independentlyNothing should be done independently Male dies the sons take overMale dies the sons take over Meant for childrenMeant for children To be worshipedTo be worshiped
The Law of ManuThe Law of Manu 10 Characteristics of the moral aims10 Characteristics of the moral aims
PleasantnessPleasantness PatiencePatience Control of mindControl of mind Non-stealingNon-stealing PurityPurity Control of the sensesControl of the senses InytelligenceInytelligence KnowledgeKnowledge TruthfulnessTruthfulness Non-irriatabilityNon-irriatability
Protection of cattleProtection of cattle Listed as a great sinListed as a great sin
Bhagavad GitaBhagavad Gita Epic poem within the longer epic poem Epic poem within the longer epic poem
MahabharataMahabharata About the great battleAbout the great battle
Relates to the stories of notable struggles of notable heroes and Relates to the stories of notable struggles of notable heroes and gods and contains much of the basic philosophy of the culturegods and contains much of the basic philosophy of the culture
TeachingsTeachings Should perform duties to avoid Should perform duties to avoid karma karma cycle of rebirthcycle of rebirth Openness to a variety of means of religious expressionOpenness to a variety of means of religious expression
People can achieve release from life, People can achieve release from life, mokshamoksha Picture of Vinshu as a god who loves and is concerned Picture of Vinshu as a god who loves and is concerned
about human beingsabout human beings Ends the classical erain Indian religionEnds the classical erain Indian religion
Postclassical HinduismPostclassical Hinduism
Worship a few major deities in many Worship a few major deities in many formsforms
Worship came to love and devotion to Worship came to love and devotion to those godsthose gods
Temples were builtTemples were built Literature tends to center on gods and Literature tends to center on gods and
goddessesgoddesses Gods involved in human affairsGods involved in human affairs Wives of gods become important Wives of gods become important
(temples made in honor)(temples made in honor)
Postclassical HinduismPostclassical Hinduism
Brahman is seen in three forms or Brahman is seen in three forms or functionsfunctions Called TrimurtiCalled Trimurti
Brahma (creation)Brahma (creation) Shiva (destruction)Shiva (destruction) Vishnu (preservation)Vishnu (preservation)
Three Major GodsThree Major GodsBrahmaBrahma
BrahmaBrahma Creator of the Creator of the
worldworld 2 temples2 temples No cult devoteesNo cult devotees Chief wife: Chief wife:
Saraavati Goddess Saraavati Goddess of Knowledgeof Knowledge
Not mentioned in Not mentioned in the Vedasthe Vedas
Three Major GodsThree Major GodsShivaShiva
Shiva (god of death)Shiva (god of death) Most popularMost popular The destroyerThe destroyer Not mentioned in VedasNot mentioned in Vedas Believed to be based on Believed to be based on
Aryan god RudraAryan god Rudra God of danceGod of dance Common symbol is the Common symbol is the
tridenttrident God of vegi, animal, & God of vegi, animal, &
human reproductionhuman reproduction Death is prelude to rebirthDeath is prelude to rebirth Mythology depicted very Mythology depicted very
sexuallysexually Cult following, sects have Cult following, sects have
been createdbeen created Main goddess connection is Main goddess connection is
KaliKali
Three Major GodsThree Major GodsVishnuVishnu
VishnuVishnu The preserverThe preserver God of love, benevolence, God of love, benevolence,
and forgivenessand forgiveness Loves to play (tricks and Loves to play (tricks and
pranks)pranks) Concern for humanityConcern for humanity Appears in numerous forms Appears in numerous forms
on earth (avatars)on earth (avatars) 9 different forms that come 9 different forms that come
to the aid of humankindto the aid of humankind He will appear in a 10He will appear in a 10thth
form at time end (punish form at time end (punish the wicked, reward the the wicked, reward the virtuous)virtuous)
Has a cult followingHas a cult following Wife is Lakshima (goddess Wife is Lakshima (goddess
of fertility and wealth)of fertility and wealth) Is mentioned in VedasIs mentioned in Vedas