Hinduism

Part Three of the

World Religions series

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Committee

Indus Valley, India

History

• Hinduism comes from the region of the Indus Valley in India. It is referred to as sanatama dharma or “eternal religion” or “eternal truth”.

• Hinduism has no exact date of origin or founder but is said to be the oldest surviving religion/major tradition that goes back more than 1500 years BCE.

• Since India regained it’s independence in 1947 from British Colonial rule, there has been much political controversy over the religion’s origins. Understandably, India’s people feel strongly about this subject, as their religion is an important part of their identity.

Visnu

Fast Facts• Hinduism is not only a religion to it’s believers but a way of life. It is a continuous, eternal existence.

• The Hindu prayer “may good thoughts come to us from all sides” reinforces the concept of embracing other religions without giving up being a Hindu.

• Brahman in Sanskrit means “spirit”, which is thought to be what is present in everything and what keeps the universe going.

•One’s station in society (caste), determines one’s dharma or one’s duty in life. This caste system offers some a strong sense of belonging and identity.

Major Sects•Vaisnavism: Based on the worship of the blue “sky-god” Visnu is known as the “protector of the embryo in the womb”. This sect has the largest followers. There are ten avatars that Visnu can appear as (more or less , depending on the text). The main doctrine is rooted in fidelity to tradition and rules of life and ritual.

•Saivism: Saivites worship Siva as the highest god. This sect is supposed to be the oldest of all. Saivism focuses on self-realization with the ultimate goal being moksha but also includes legends, mysticism and yogic practices.

•Saktism: This denomination centers on worshipping the Divine Female or Devi Goddess. She represents motherhood and bestows boons upon her followers. The Devi Goddess manifests many forms, such as Lakshmi, consort to Visnu and Parvati, and also wife to Siva. The Ganges river in India, represents Devi, which draws many Hindus to her waters to wash away their sins.

Ganesha

Beliefs• Hindus do not believe in just one god. Instead, they believe that a higher being takes many forms. These deities can take on the image of human-animal forms, such as the deity Ganesha, who has a human body with the head of an elephant. Ganesha clears away life’s obstacles.

• All Hindus believe in reincarnation. How you live your life determines who or what you become in the next life. Reincarnation continues until you leave all material things behind you and attain “moksha” liberation.

• Karma means “deeds” or “actions” in Sanskrit. It refers to the intentional actions and what effect it has on a person’s fortunes in life and in the next. It explains the evil and misfortunes of the world and is a fundamental law of nature.

Siva

• Hindus follow three paths: – karmamarga (works and action), – jnanamarga (knowledge or philosophy), – bhatkimarga (devotion to God)

• There are four purposes in life that a Hindu follows:– dharma (fufill moral, social, and religious

duties),– artha (attain financial and worldly success), – kama (satisfy desires in moderation), and – moksha (attain freedom from reincarnation)

Path & Purpose

Veda Scriptures

Upanishads

• The Hindus most sacred scriptures are called the Vedas, which means “knowledge” in Sanskrit. They represent unchallenged authority and tradition.

• The Upanishads contains the wisdom of Hindu teachers and sages and forms the basis of Indian philosophy. These writings are known as the conclusion of the Veda.

• Bhagavad-Gita or “Song of the Lord” is read in the form of a dialogue between two characters and is considered to be the sixth book of the epic poem Mahabharata

Sacred Texts

Hindu Temple

• Puja is a combination of ceremonial practices that either take place in the home or in a temple. Since there are no special days set aside for worship, or puja, most practices are conducted in the home. Almost every Hindu home has a shrine with images of their gods and goddesses.

• Ceremonial practices vary according to which sect they belong to. Time of day, location, and community all play an important part in the requirements of their puja. Offerings can be modest or elaborate, depending on the circumstance. Offerings may include rice, flowers, fruit, incense, and milk water.

Worship

Symbolism• A tilak, or symbolic mark on the forehead of a Hindu man, is usually that of a line/s that represent which religious sect he belongs to. This mark, made commonly from vermillion, is traditionally a woman’s symbol that represents female energy. The bindi that Hindu women wear on their foreheads accentuates the third eye, where attention is focused when meditating. It is also worn as protection for women, which extends to their husbands.

• The Aum (Om) symbol is a sacred sound and consists of several triads, including: the three worlds (earth, atmosphere, heaven), the three major Hindu gods (Brahma, Visnu, Siva), and the three sacred Vedic scriptures (Rg, Yajur, Sama). Ultimately it represents the entire universe.

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The moon is one, but on agitated water it produces many reflections. Similarly ultimate reality is one, yet it appears to be many in a mind agitated by thoughts.

- Maharamayana

• The Way to True Worship: A Popular Story of Hinduism; Anoop Chandola

• Hinduism; Louis Renou• Hinduism: A Cultural Perspective• Hinduism (sound recording narrated by Ben

Kingsley)• Puja: Expressions of Hindu Devotion (video)• Women in Indian Religions; Arvind Sharma• Handbook of Hindu Mythology; George M. Williams• The Mahabharata (DVD)

Available for Checkout in Holly Library

Devi, the Mother Goddess

• Couliano, I; Eliade, C.; Wiesner, H. (1991).

The Harpercollins Concise Guide to World Religion. Harpercollins Publications

• Pollock, Robert (2002). The Everything World’s Religions Book: Discover the Beliefs,

Traditions, and Cultures of Ancient and Modern Religions. F + W Publications, Inc.

• Klostermaier, Klaus (2000). Hinduism: A Short History. Oneworld Publications (Berne

Convention).

• Religionfacts website (www.religionfacts.com)

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