Hinduism Notes

8/7/2019 Hinduism Notes

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Hindu Gods

GENESHA KALI


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Hindu Gods

RAMAKRISHNA


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Location of Hinduism


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Hinduism World Status

Hinduism: 900 million

15% of world population

Third largest world religion

Christianity 32%

Islam 22%

Secular/Non-religious 14%


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Origins of Hindu Culture

Indo-Aryans began to invade the India sub-continent about 1800 to 1500 B.C.

Source of Greek, Latin, Celts, German, Slav language

Early tribal people, Dasas, described as darkskinned, thick lipped, possessing cattle and

speaking a strange language

Began to become acclimated to new environmentand become agriculturists

Ruler (rajah=rex), private army, priests


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Origins of Hindu Culture

The term Hindu had its origin from theMuslims conquerors who used it to describe the

inhabitants of Northern India.

Hinduism was use by the British for the diversereligious traditions of the people of India.

Today it is used popularly to describe the

religious life distinct from Christianity and Islam. There is no unified religious entity so it is best to

talk of Hindu traditions.


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Hinduism World Status

Third largest Religion 13.5%

Christianity largest 32.5%

Islam second largest 21.1%

Non-religious/secular more numerous

than Hinduism 15.5%

900 million Hindus

Located primarily in India


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Hindu Religion

We venture to predict that Hinduism is not

a religion at all, but a series of loosely

strung and infinitely varied sacerdotal and

sociological artificial conventions to whicha religious verisimilitude has been imparted

by the ancient law-givers, but which is

nevertheless daily undergoing endless

fluctuations, not only in any given locality,

but throughout the Hindu world. (V. N.NarasimmiyengarTrue Hinduism, 5)


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Hindu Culture & Religion

Extremely varied personal beliefs allowed Cannot separate from the culture

To be Hindu, a religion has to:

Regard the Vedas as divinely expired and authoritative

Accept the caste system

Respect the veneration of the various levels of deities and

spirits, including the protection of cows

Recognizing them as authoritative does not mean

accepting them as literally true or practicing them as

commanded

Winfried Corduan


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Hindu Religion Not a creedal religion

Both Christianity and Islam are creedalreligion where people may come to faith inGod through belief and conviction

Islam anyone can become a Muslim by saying theKalima

Christianity through faith in Christ

A non-Hindu can hold the same beliefs as a

Brahman friend but is still considered anoutcast

Let him live a pious life and then, aftermany transmigrations, his soul may be at

least reborn into a Hindu family.


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History of Hinduism

Two Early Periods The Vedic Period (1500 B.C. 500 B.C.)

The Philosophic Period (500 B.C. A.D. 500)

Vedas literally means knowledge butbasically refers to the four sacred

scriptures, often includes the Upanishads

and their commentaries (sometimes used to

refer to all the Hindu sacred writings).

Originally revealed to holy men who wrote

them down.


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History of Hinduism

Way Origin Scriptures Practice

Works 1500 B.C. Vedas, Sutras,Brahmanas. Code

of manu

Detailed observance

of laws & rituals,

governed by priests

Knowledge 500 B.C. Upanishads(Vedanta) Mystical recognitionof Atman-Brahmanidentity, withdrawal

Devotion

(Bhakti)

200 B.C.

A.D. 800

Bhagavad Gita,

Tamil poetry,

Puranas

Attachment to one

god or goddess; three

main schools

By Winfried Corduan, Neighboring Faiths, p. 192


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History of Hinduism

Vedic Period (1500 B.C. 500 B.C.) Aryans, speaking Sanskrit, authors of the Rig-

Veda (lit. knowledge enshrined in verses)

Rig-Veda oldest collection of 1,028 prayerfulSanskirt hymns prayers addressed devas

(gods) shinning ones who dwell on earth, the

heavens, and intermediate air (as early as 1500)

Like Greeks, practiced ancestor worship,worshipped nature gods or devas (Lat. deus).

Devas invested with personal attributes, bright

beings with superhuman powers dwelling in

celestial regions.


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Origins of Hindu Culture/Religion

Hinduism based on Vedic Texts written between 1500 500 BC

Shruti that which is heard distinguish from later writings

Smriti that which is remembered also considered by someas authoritative (considered less sacred and non-Vedic)

Four parts of the Vedic texts

Samhitas (1500 900 BC) collection of hymns

Brahmanas (850 BC) Caste Aranyakas Later part of Brahmanas

Upanishads (500 BC) Philosophical: Brahman, Atman,Maya, Yoga, Nirvana

VEDIC TEXTS


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Other Vedas basically dependent on Rig-Veda Yajur-Veda mostly in prose, meant to supply dedication,

prayers, and litanies recited by priests in the course of their

duties in sacrifices

Sama-Veda Chants for worship by priests derived fromRig-Veda

Atharva-Veda Charms, incantations and spells

(considered somewhat inferior and associated with folk

religion)


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Over time the sacrificial system developed tocompel the gods to grant appropriate rewards.

Brahmans (priests) alone knew how to offer

sacrifice aright and extract favors from thegods and they took on a sacred position.

Aryans kept a distinction between themselves

and the darker skin indigenous population theSudras (serfs) and they asDvija (twice born).

Varna (color) distinction between races;

source of caste system


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Philosophic Period

Caste system Based on dharma (religious duty)

Each person born into a caste community

Each person has his/her duty with community

Every community has its own religion/god

Preservation of social and ceremonial purity


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Origins of Hindu Culture/Religion Aryans four castes (1st three = twice born)

Kshatriyas warriors and princes

Brahmins priests and instructors

Vaishyas Agriculturalists and merchants

Shudras Workers (surfs) Hundreds of subcastes (jati)

Twice born have full participation in Hindu life

Study of Vedas, puberty initiation, & social

leadership

Aryans controlled study of Vedas

Aryans brought all of India under their control

and people assimilated their beliefs with Aryanbeliefs


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Brahmins (priests) until recently were solecustodians of study of the Vedic texts

Different brahmans:

Brahman the impersonal pantheistic god

Brahma the personal creator god

Brahmin the priest & priestly caste

Brahmanas priestly commentaries on the Vedas


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Origins of Hindu Culture/ReligionDevelopmentofdeitiesperCorduan,p. 193:

Deity Features

Dyaus Pitar Original supreme sky god, losing significance

Pritivi Mater Mother earth

Varuna Later sky god, losing significanceIndra King of gods, supreme during Vedic period

Mitra A sun god; ritual and moral purity

Rita God of truth and right

Vishnu A sun god; later the Preserver

Rudra Capricious mountain god; later Shiva

Agni God of fire

Soma God of drink or immortality (soma)

Brahmanaspati Spoken word; gaining significance


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Periods of Hinduism Beliefs

Three Paths (Margas) to Moksha Karma Marga (Way of Action or works)

Vedic period

Dependent on priests and rituals

Jnana Marga (Way of Knowledge) by Yoga

500 B.C.

System of mystical contemplation

Bhakti Marga (Way of Devotion)

200 B.C. to A.D. 800

From south India Tamil

Love of a god or goddess provides salvation


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Philosophic Period

Inana Way of Knowledge Belief system with mystical contemplation

Reaction against priests and rituals controlled

by priests

Recorded in Upanishads

Vedas focused on priestly ritual

Upanishads seek a deeper spiritual reality

Yoga Form of Sankhya system

Perfect pose by which desire is subdued

No fresh round of karma set in motion


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Philosophic Period

Two philosophic schools of thought Sankhya source of Buddhism

Vedanta

Sankhya Dualistic and atheistic

Denies any beginning or a creator

Two eternal realities: praakriti and purushas

which are both considered real

Matter (Western categories)

Spirit


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Philosophic Period

Vedanta Non-dualistic

Atman the only reality, all else is illusion

(maya)


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Philosophic Period

Way of Knowledge Vendata or Vedantic philosophy

Search for ultimate secret of all existence

Search for release from transmigration of thesoul

Epics literature legends of gods and heroes

Rise of Buddhism


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Philosophic Period

Ultimate Reality What is behind the changing phenomena?

Brahman pantheistic impersonal god

Atman true self

Brahman one true reality Unchanging something reality

Impersonal, all-pervasive being

English referred to as world soul

Only true reality

Maya besides Brahman all else maya (illusion)

Gods and worship are manifestations of Brahman


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Philosophic Period

BrahmanSince not by speech and no by thought,

Not by the eye can it be reached,

How else may it be understood,But only when one says, it is?

Katha Upansishad

Tat, the All, Brahman without attributes

Tat tvam asi that art thou

Key is to transcend world of experience


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Philosophic Period

Maya Lit. play Related to the word magic

Daily life is just magic play

Life seen as illusion Mayaa reality is derived from Brahman

No reality within itself

E.g. image created by a projector

Everything we experience rationally belongs to

maya

Feelings, emotions, thoughts


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Philosophic Period

Atman Reality inside a person that is not maya

True self

Atman is Brahman message of Upanishads God resides in the depth of person

Soul of the Universe

Beyond thought and distinction


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Philosophic Period

Life of sannyasin Leave ones previous environment and

renounce worldly attachments & discipline

Seek ones true identity apart from the world

Attain moksha, the release from samsara and

maya

If attained, at death will return to Atman-

Brahman (reenters Brahman as a drop of waterin the ocean)

Nirvana a state of supreme bliss is

accomplished


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Philosophic Period

Bhakti (loving attachment) Way of Devotion Mid-second millennium A.D.

Bhakti is at the heart of most contemporary Hinduism

Popular in southern India (non-Aryan or dravidians);

today are Tamil people

Not through impossible works nor secret knowledge

not easily attainable but through a loving relationship

with a god or goddess Devotion to a god need not exclude serving others

Roots of Bhakti is found in the Bhagavad Gita (200

B.C.) where Krishna, an avatar of Vishnu tells heroic

warrior, Arjuna to attach to him and do his caste duty


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Philosophic Period

Two influential Hindu Philosophers Sankara (8th century)

World is totally illusion

Only reality is brahman

Religion was the pursuit deliverance from deception

Ramanuja (12th century)

Absolute reality of this world

Human soul was separate from the godhead andcould relate itself to god not by absorption but by

devotion.


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The Gods

Brahman manifests itself in three gods. Rise of three gods above the pantheon of gods.

Brahma Creator of visible things; since work isdone there is no need to worship (what Brahma

creates, Sheva destroys so new universe can bemade

Vishnu Lord of protection (avatars)

Shiva Lord of destruction

It is said that there are 330,000,000 gods

Exaggerated

Many gods and go by different names


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The GodsPrimary Hindu Gods & Bhakti Hinduism Schools

Brahman

Brahma ---------------- Vishnu ---------------- Shiva ---------------- Goddess (devi)

Sarasvati Lakshmi Parvati Durga, Kali

-------- ------- Draupadi

Avatars of Vishnu Genesha Periachi

and Lakshimi Skandar Mariamman

Vaishnavite

School

Shaivite

School

Shaktite

School

Adapted from Corduan, Neighboring Faith p. 201

Vertical Marks Horizontal Marks


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The Gods

Each male god is associated with a femaledeity, his shakti which means source of

power

Generally a consort or broadly a wife

Goddess infuses the god with energy to do his

work

Each god has also has a certain symbolic

representation and a riding animal.

Multiple arms represents power


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The Gods

Brahma

Creator

Represented by four heads

Originally had five but Shiva cut it off

Images in many temples but not many temples

dedicated to him

Not a major Bhakti god

His shakti, Sarasvati is a popular goddess

Receives a lot of veneration

Her representation is a musical instrument, e.g. sitar


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The Gods

Vishnu People look to him for salvation

Also look to one of his avatars

Vertical line(s) on forehead

Known as the preserver

Emphasis on chanting, dancing, & meditation

Recognized by having four arms with a conch shell, lotus

blossom, a discus, and a mace.

Riding animal is a bird but also shown reclining on a snake

Most concern for maintaining dharma, duty

Born into the world as heroic person or animal to put world

on right track then dies to reincarnate again (avatar)


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The Gods Avatars of Vishnu incarnations of Vishnu in various

forms which veil rather than reveal the god within.Usually ten avatars from myths:

Matsya Fish

Kurma Turtle

Varaha Boar Narasimba Man-Lion

Vamana Dwarf

Parashu-Rama Rama with an ax

Rama Hero of Ramayana (wife sita, Hanuman) Krishna Teacher of Bhagavad Gita (wife Rada)

Buddha (9th avatar) Founder of Buddhism Balarama Alernate, brother of Krishna

Kalki Horse , future avatar (period when dharma supreme)


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The Gods

Krishna 8the avatar of Vishnu

Very popular god to worship

Color is usually dark or blue

Play a flute

Usually seen with his wife, Radha

Appears in the Bhagavad-Gita as a profound teacher

Myth Victorious over demon king

Another view is a mischievous and amorous wonder-

worker in folklore with amorous and erotic adventures


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The Gods Krishna - Five Essential Teachings

Krishna is the supreme personal god

Salvation can be obtained by chanting the mantra,Hare Krishna

1000 time a day Special worship of singing and dancing

The Bhagavad-Gita is inspired scripture

Devotee must live a pure life devoted to Krishna

Abstaining from meat, caffeine, sweets, and sex forpleasure

Distributing literature to raise the consciousness ofthe message


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The Gods Ganesha

Older son of Shiva & Parvati

Myth Shiva severs head butafter calms down vows to replaceit with head he see, an elephant

Known as remover of obsticles

therefore his followers seek himto overcome difficulties in life

Learned in Hindu writings & wise

Skandar

Younger brother of Ganesha

God of war


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The Goddesses Shaktism goddess is the principle object of

worship

Two most popular, Durga or Kali

Unfaithful consorts of Shiva

Use of sexual motifs Durga

Conquering poses

Overcame buffalo-headed demon

One of ten arms hold trident and other warimplements

Given blood as worship items


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The Goddesses Kali goddess of violence

Directed toward evil & demons

Black & Gruesome look

Necklace of sculls

Belt of severed arms Stands on a tiger or Shivas body

Given blood in worship

Thagis cult of Kali that practiced human

sacrifices Outlawed by Britain in late 19th century

Tantrism sexual emulation to release energy


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Elements of Hinduism Beliefs

Transmigration of the soul Samasara (reincarnation) lit. means

wandering, chains of finite existence that holds

the soul to this world

An individual is transmigrated from one

existence to another according to ones

behavior (karma) or merit or lack of merit

Not mention in Vedas Important source for caste system - hope

Possibly assimilated from indigenous people

Negative being in world is suffering


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Elements of Hinduism Beliefs

Highest goal of Hinduism Find release from thesamasara cycle

Moksha release from action and rebirth

Find nirvanaby knowledge of the supreme

Truth of the brahma-atman the soul is releasedfrom the life cycle

Found by very few

As rivers flow and disappear at lastIn oceans waters, name and form renouncing

So too the sage, released from name and form,

Is merged in the divine and ultimate existence.Mundaka Upanishad


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Hindu Worship

Temple (jagopuram) Usually dedicated to one god

Has images to other god in separate rooms or inset

in walls

Gods live in their statues so statues must be washedand cared for

Daily worship person removes shoes and places

money before god, can chant, color mark on head

Temple service (puja sacrifice)

Procession of gods with music, ring bells, no chanting


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Hindu Worship

Daily Worship Dependent on caste

High caste Hindu men pray three times a day,

sunrise most practiced

Household that house a god must perform puja,washed, dressed, decorated, and given food at every

meal.

Usually performed by father of the household

(wealthy families have their own Brahmin priest)


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Life Cycle Rites of Passage Code of Manu divides life into four stages

First is student

Rituals regarding birth

Ritual to protect unborn from evil spirits

Rituals to help new child to be a boy

Rituals for god to protect child, goddess Periachi

Ritual for males of Twice Born castes

Cord over shoulder, renewed once a year

Begins in theory to study Vedas

Marriage (2nd stage with raising children)

Arrange and within caste

Walk around sacred fire

Red dot on wifes forehead to indicate married


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Life Cycle Rites of Passage Withdrawal from earning living and devoting

more time to prayer, meditation, and worship forthe man 3rd stage

Partial renunciation and withdrawal

Complete renunciation (4th

stage) Pursuit of the Vedantic ideal of seeking moksha

Withdraw from family and live alone to achieve finalgoal

Funeral rites Body bathed with water, milk, honey & coconut milk

Burned on funeral pyre

Sati practiced primarily in past


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Festivals & Special Days Each goddess has a day of descent or

birthday which celebrated in the temple

Holi celebration of Krishna

Many festivals associated with various gods

and goddesses New Years

Homes are decorated with mango leaves

Women draw auspicious diagrams on temple floor

Festival of Lights

Autumn to honor goddess Lakshmi usually

Lights to guide goddess to bring proserity


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Hindu Worldview

godsUniversal

Reality

Material

World

Individual

Samsara

Karma


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Important Terms in Hinduism

Shakti consort of god

Tilaka decoration on the forehead to

indicate god worshipped

Karma cause and effect

Brahman the impersonal pantheistic god

Brahma the personal creator god

Brahmin the priest & priestly caste

Brahmanas priestly commentaries on the

Vedas

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