HINDUISM

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

EARLIEST KNOWN….

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

UPANISHADS

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

FOUR KEY CONCEPTS OF HUMAN NATURE

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

BRAHMAN IS ATMANATMAN IS BRAHMAN

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

GODSTHE TRIAD

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

TRIAD CONTINUED….

Shiva’s wife is

Known by many names. The one we need to know is

“The Black One”, the destroyer or

Kali!

SHIVA’S COMPLICATED WIFE

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

OTHER GODS

He is the monkey god

A model of devotion and everyone’s protector

HANUMAN

Avatars

Incarnations of gods

The two most important avatars of Vishnu are

Rama and Krishna

AVATARS

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

IMPORTANT POEMS

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

POEMS CONTINUED

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

BHAGAVAD-GITA

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 TO SALVATION

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

PATHS…..

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.

THE CASTE SYSTEM

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)

CASTE SYSTEM CONTINUED

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 HINDU STAGES 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)

THE FOUR GOALS OF LIFE

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

WOMEN IN HINDUISM

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

HOLY COW

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

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

FESTIVALS CONTINUED

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.

MARRIAGES

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.

FUNERALS

WHAT IS THIS A PAINTING OF?

GuruMantraOmPujaYoga

VOCABULARY