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