HINDUISMGENERAL INTRODUCTION,

VOCABULARY, BELIEFS

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

NAME, OVERVIEW, GLOBAL DISPERSMENT, THEORIES OF

ORIGIN, SACRED TEXTS, CASTE SYSTEM

NAME Sanatana Dharma, or “eternal religion” Vaidika Dharma, “religion of the Vedas” Hinduism, derived from:

The country lying between the Himalayan mountain and Bindu Sarovara (Hindusthan)

The Persian word for Indian A corruption of the Persian word Indus (Indus River) The name invented by the British administration during

colonial times.

OVERVIEW One of the oldest and most complex of the world’s religions:

roots are dated from the 3rd millennium BCE. This religion is diverse, extremely inclusive, tolerant, and

complicated. Hinduism recognizes three ways to be religious and these

provide one good way to sort the religion typologically (categorically) and historically.

These “three ways” not only reflect different dimensions of being religious, they also characterize the whole Hindu religion as passing through three major historical phases, each corresponding to one of the following “margas” (or “paths”).

OVERVIEW… Karma Marga = “deed path,” or “religion of

the hands” (ritual and/or ethical) with an emphasis on RITE and RIGHT Characterized the early Vedic Period (1500-600

BCE) Focus is on polytheism and ritualism Primary scripture is the Vedas (ritualistic hymns)

OVERVIEW… Jnana Marga = “insight path” or “religion of

the head” (intellectual and/or mystical) with an emphasis on WISDOM and TRUTH Characterized Vedantic Period (600 BCE-800

CE) Focus is on monism and mystical philosophy Primary scripture is the Upanishads

(philosophical)

OVERVIEW… Bhakti Marga = “love path” or “religion of

the heart” (devotional and/or communal) with an emphasis on FAITH and LOVE Characterized Sectarian Period (800 CE-

Present) Focus on henotheism and worship (puja) Main scripture is Bhagavad Gita with the notion

that “Krishna is Lord!”

YOGAS The aforementioned “margas” (3 paths) are

sometimes labeled “yogas” and numbered at four. “Yoga” refers to the practice use dto gain control

over the mind and body in order to reflect on the path to enlightenment.

According to the “yoga system” of four paths, the mystical side of “jnana marga” is isolated as a separate discipline called “raja yoga.”

GLOBAL DISPERSMENT

THEORIES OF ORIGIN

CLASSICAL AND EMERGING THEORIES, THE ARYAN

MIGRATION-INVASION, THE ARYAN RELIGION

CLASSICAL THEORY Traces the roots of Hinduism to the Indus

Valley civilization c. 4000-2200 BCE Light-skinned, nomadic, Aryan (or, Indo-

European) tribes invaded northern India (c. 1500 BCE) from Russia and Central Asia, bringing with them their Vedic religion

The Vedic beliefs mingled with the indigenous Indian native beliefs to form the Indus Valley culture.

EMERGING THEORY Archaeological digs have placed the above

theory in question, suggesting that the Indus Valley culture was not the result of an outside invasion, or so-called Aryan Invasion, but emerged over time.

Archaeological discoveries of Vedic rituals merely prove that the emerging culture shared continuity with the Aryans.

THE ARYAN MIGRATION The Aryans are reputed

to have been semi-nomadic people who moved from their original home (between Poland and Central Asia) towards the west, east, and south.

The Indo-Aryans entered Punjab and moved into the Ganga Valley, eventually controlling all of Northern India.

THE ARYAN RELIGION This may be called “proto-Hinduism” and

represents the initial Aryan influences of an incipient Hinduism (i.e., beginning to show itself).

Polytheistic: gods and goddesses (“devas”) as personifications or natural forces; a male dominated pantheon of 330,000,000 gods and goddesses.

Sacrificial: Altars in open places with animal sacrifices and libations of milk and “soma” (juice, or perhaps an hallucinogenic mushroom??)

SACRED TEXTSMAHABHARATA, BHAGAVAD GITA,

VEDAS, AND UPANISHADS

MAHABHARATA Written 540-300 BCE Attributed to the sage Vyasa Record “the legends of the Bharatas, one of

the Aryan tribal groups” Epic poem that tells of two feuding royal

families who descend from a common ruler named Bharat and suffer through the horrors of a long civil war.

BHAGAVAD GITA Literally means, “Song of

God” The 18th chapter (or 6th

book) of the Mahabharata It is an extended course

on Hindu metaphysics, describing a conversation between a warrior (Arjuna) and the Hindu God Krishna (Vishnu).

SANSKRIT SELECTION FROM THE BHAGAVAD GITA

VEDAS “Veda” is a Sanskrit word for “truth” or

“knowledge” The “Vedas” represent the ancient Hindu

scriptures. Rig-Veda: Collection of over 10,000 hymns to the Aryan

gods. Yajur-Veda: Collection of ritual material for sacrifices. Sama-Veda: Collection of chants. Atharva-Veda: Home-rituals and popular prayers and spells

to ward off evil.

UPANISHADS The word means “a sitting beside” or “a session” which

implies a personal teaching from one’s spiritual master. These writings are also called “Vedanta” or “the end of the

Vedas” in the sense of… Last part Last in importance, or Goal

“Vedanta” also refers to the tradition of Hindu philosophy that focuses on the writings of the Upanishads as the interpretive “lens” through which the Vedas and other scriptures are read (speculative, philosophical writings)

CASTE SYSTEMHINDU SOCIETY

PRIMARY CASTES In ancient India there developed a social system in which

people were divided into separate close communities. These communities are known in English as caste.

The origin of the caste system is in Hinduism, but it affected the whole Indian society.

The caste system in the religious form is basically a simple division of society in which there are four castes arranged in a hierarchy and below them the outcast.

But socially the caste system was more complicated, with much more castes and sub-castes and other divisions.

Legally the government disallows the practice of caste system but has a policy of affirmative discrimination of the backward classes.

PRIMARY CASTES… The religious word for caste is 'Varna'. Each Varna has certain

duties and rights. Each Varna members have to work in certain occupation which only that Varna members are allowed. Each Varna has certain type of diet.

The highest Varna is of the Brahman. Members of this class are priests and the educated people of the society.

The Varna after them in hierarchy is Kshatria. The members of this class are the rulers and aristocrats of the society.

After them are the Vaisia. Members of this class are the landlords and businessmen of the society.

After them in hierarchy are the Sudra. Members of this class are the peasants and working class of the society who work in non-polluting jobs. The caste hierarchy ends here.

Below these castes are the outcasts who are untouchable to the four castes. These untouchables worked in degrading jobs like cleaning, sewage etc.

CASTE IMPLICATIONS On 2001-NOV-4, one million low-caste Dalits

were scheduled to meet in Delhi, India, for a mass conversion to Buddhism.

According to Gospel for Asia, Dalits feel that: "The only way for our people to find freedom from 3,000

years of slavery is to quit Hinduism and Castism and embrace another faith."

Mass conversions to Christianity have also occurred.

CASTE IMPLICATIONS… Two protest religions

formed as reactions against selected Hindu religious practices and/or teachings such as the power of the priests, the overwhelming presence of rituals and the alienation of the lower castes from their Hindu faith.

HINDUISM

JAINISM BUDDHISM

VOCABULARYKEY TERMS DESCRIBING HINDU

BELIEFS AND PRACTICES

Puja Act of worship, incense burned, offerings made to a Hindu deity.

YogaPractice used to gain control over mind and body to reflect on the path to enlightenment.

Lotus PositionSitting position, heel and foot placed on opposite thigh, encourages breathing and physical disciple conducive to deep meditation.

Sanskrit Hindu language of the sacred scriptures dating to 1500 BCE.

Veda From Sanskrit meaning “truth” or “knowledge.”

RishisInspired sages who heard the hymns of the gods and transcribed them into the Vedas.

SatguruAn enlightened master necessary for the attainment of knowledge of the Transcendent Absolute.

NirvanaEternal soul, reborn millions of times in many forms. Ultimately this soul merges with the Universal Soul, or Nirvana.

Mantra A sacred incantation of prayer.

Indra One of the most popular Vedic gods, resembling Zeus of the Greek pantheon.

BrahmanasVedic writings added to the Hindu scriptures that explain many ceremonies and priestly duties.

Vedic Age Period between 1500 and 1200 BCE in which the Vedas are written and compiled.

UpanishadsMeans “sitting near” or “at the feet of the master.” Final writings added to the Vedic scriptures. These are direct accounts written by spiritually advanced mystics and represent the final phase in the development of the Vedas.

SamsaraThe Sanskrit term for reincarnation, the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth until a soul achieves enlightenment and embraces the sacred reality of the Absolute.

Caste SystemHindu social system dividing people into a rigid class structure. Women may change their birth caste through marriage. Men have the least mobility.

KarmaAn impartial force or principle of cause and effect that accounts for each person’s good and bad actions and determines their position of rebirth based upon one’s actions in a previous lifetime.

BrahmaThe world spirit, the Absolute, the chief god of the Hindu faith who is associated with the creation of all reality. Union with Brahma is seen as the end or goal for all individuals seeking enlightenment.

VishnuThe preserver god representing divine love who has been incarnated as Krishna and Rama.

ShivaThe energy force of the Absolute, who is seen as the great cosmic creator and destroyer.

MokshaAttainment of enlightenment, or spiritual knowledge, that liberates one from the cycles of rebirth.

Atman The Hindu concept of the individual self or soul.

Mahabharata The epic poem that tells of two feuding royal families.

Bhagavad GitaMeans, “Song of God” and is a portion of the Mahabharata and part of the Hindu sacred scriptures.

Mahatma Title given to Gandhi, meaning “Great Soul.”

Ahimsa The Hindu ideal of complete non-violence in thought, word, and deed.

HINDU BELIEFSNINE BELIEFS IN HINDUISM, FIVE OBLIGATIONS, FOUR ENDS, AND

FOUR STAGES

NINE BELIEFS1. Hindus believe in the divinity of the Vedas, the worlds most

ancient scripture. These hymns are God’s word and the bedrock of Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism), the eternal religion which has neither beginning nor end.

2. Hindus believe in a one, all-pervasive Supreme Being who is both immanent and transcendent, both Creator and Un-manifest Reality.

3. Hindus believe that the universe undergoes endless cycles of creation, preservation, and dissolution.

4. Hindus believe in karma, the law of cause and effect by which each individual creates his own destiny by his thoughts, words, and deeds.

NINE BELIEFS…5. Hindus believe that the soul reincarnates, evolving through

many births until all karmas have been resolved, and moksha, spiritual knowledge and liberation from the cycle of rebirth, is attained.

6. Hindus believe that divine beings exist in unseen worlds and that temple worship, rituals, sacraments, as well as personal devotionals create a communion with these devas and gods.

7. Hindus believe that a spiritually awakened master (satguru) is essential to know the Transcendent Absolute, as are personal discipline, good conduct, purification, pilgrimage, self-inquiry and meditation.

NINE BELIEFS…8. Hindus believe that all life is sacred, to be

loved and revered, and therefore practice ahimsha (“non-injury”).

9. Hindus believe that no particular religion teaches the only way to salvation above all others, but that all genuine religious paths are facets of God’s Pure Love and Light, deserving tolerance and understanding.

FIVE OBLIGATIONS1. Worship: Young Hindus are taught daily worship in the

family shrine room…rituals, disciplines, chants, yogas and religious study. They learn to secure through devotion in home and temple, wearing traditional dress, bringing forth love of the Divine and preparing the mind for serene meditation.

2. Holy Days: Young Hindus are taught to participate in Hindu festivals and holy days in the home and temple. They learn to be happy through communion with God at such auspicious celebrations. The festivals may include fasting and temple attendance.

FIVE OBLIGATIONS…3. Virtuous Living (dharma, or “duty”): Young Hindus are

taught to live a life of duty and good conduct. They learn to be self-less (renunciation) by thinking of others first, being respectful of parents, elders and swamis (or “masters,” those who mastery over themselves so as to have achieved renunciation), following divine law (especially, ahimsha). In this way they resolve karmas.

4. Pilgrimage: Young Hindus are taught the value of pilgrimage either to holy persons or temples in order to learn to be detached from worldly affairs and to make God, gods, and gurus the focus during these journeys.

FIVE OBLIGATIONS…

5. Rites of Passage: Young Hindus are taught to observe the many sacraments which mark and sanctify their passage through life. They learn to be traditional by celebrating the rites of birth, name-giving, head-shaving, first feeding, ear-piercing, coming of age, marriage and death.

FOUR ENDS OF MAN Human pursuits can be guided by four different

kinds of motive or purpose (end):1. Duty (dharma): We can do something because it is right, it

is our duty, it is what we ought to do.

2. Material Gain (artha): We can do something for the sake of material gain, such as money or power.

3. Pleasure (kama): We can do something in order to experience pleasure.

4. Liberation (moksha): We can do something to achieve liberation, or release from the everlasting cycle of birth, death, and rebirth.

FOUR STAGES OF LIFE (ASHRAMAS)

1. Student: On being invested with the sacred cord, the Brahmin boy enters a celibate “student” stage in which his chief duty is to study the Vedas and live in the house of his teacher. Being "twice born" means that you come of age religiously, making you a member of the Vedic religion, eligible to learn Sanskrit, study the Vedas, and perform Vedic rituals. The "second birth" is thus like Confirmation or a Bar Mitzvah.

2. Householder: Upon completion of his education, he returns home, marries, and becomes a householder. His principle duty is to care for the welfare of his family.

3. Hermit: When his hair turns white, he should retire to the forest and live as a hermit, spending his days in meditation and devotion

4. Homeless Wanderer: He now cuts off all ties with his family, changes his name, gives up all possessions except a staff, a begging bowl, and a few pieces of clothing (asceticism). He is now beyond all religious duties.