Introduction to Hinduism

“There is only one God, but endless are his aspects and endless are his names”

The vast majority of Hindus live in India and Nepal

IndusNatives to India

AryasInvading People

Goal of HinduismMoksha

Release / Liberation

United forever with the universal Atman

State of being in endless bliss and awareness

Vedic HinduismEarliest Practice

Based on Ritual• Used Shruti for ritual

TheologyBalance (Rita) is keyAffects 3 levels of the universe• Vault of the Sky• Atmosphere• Earth

Sacred TextsShruti – What is Heard

Smirti – What is Remembered

ReincarnationSamsara is the cycle (wheel) of rebirth

The soul (atman) is reborn from one life form to anotherSouls can be reborn as humans, animals, or deities – depending on the karma of the past lifetime. “Death” is not the same concept of finality within Hinduism.

Human Responsibility:Karma & Dharma

Your responsibility is to be the “best” you can be - based on your caste.

Every action creates an effect based on its moral worthiness. Your karma is your action / deeds.

Dharma is the duty based on your life situation – created by your karma.

Dharma best seen through the caste system.Your rebirth is based on your karma.

Caste SystemFour ( plus one) major castes

Brahmins• Priests and teachers• Highest purity and rank

Kshatriya• Warriors and aristocracy

Vaistrya • Middle class

Sudras• Servants and laborers

Outcastes• NOT an official caste

Brahmanism – The Way of Knowledge Devotees must obtain jnana to achieve moksha.

Jnana = Gnosis

The Stages of Life leads one to liberation.

Four Stages of LifeStudent Stage

Study Caste Appropriate work

HouseholderMarry - raise a family

Forest Dweller ORRetiree

Monk – SannyasayAt one with the universal atman

Bhakti – The Way of DevotionDevotees are tied to one or more gods for help in their lives.

Help with the physical or spiritual.

Moksha is available through several gods

The Vault of the Sky is seen as heaven.

Brahman: Essence of realitySeen as the “sustainer” of life.

Not the ultimate reality – can be named

Gods have extremely long life spans

Each day is 1000 time the length of human history

Shiva – The Destroyer

Ancient Vedic god of destructionKind to devotees

Modern worship focuses on mokshaMasculine aspect is passive / unchanging

Parvati – Goddess Main consort of Shiva

Reincarnation of first consort

Female aspect of Shiva is active / changing

Other aspects of Parvati are both positive and negative

Kali – Goddess of DeathEats the flesh of bodies on the battlefield

Wears a necklace of skullsDestroyer of Enemies Loving to Devotees

Vishnu – God of Sun & GrowthCares about his devotees happiness in this world – and the next.

Moksha is through keeping the order of the caste system.

Avatars – Vishnu’s earthly forms

Krishna

Rama

Avatars of Vishnu

Avatars, cont.

Arjuna is taught by Krishna (Vishnu)

Teachings found in Bhavagad Gita

Main text of Vishnu worship

Festivals and Holy Days

No set day of the week is holyEach days has its possibilities

Religious festivals may be solar or lunarLunar is preferred

Festival of Lights: DivaliFestival of Lights

Series of 5 festivals

Family oriented

Light the candle, and send it down a stream

If it stays lit, a year of good luck.

The Ganges RiverIts source is Vishnu’s feet

Goes onto Shiva’s head and out from his hair

The Ganges is sacred enough to purify all sins.

Banaras - Hindu’s Holy CityPilgrims come from all over to bathe in the Ganges.

Countless Hindus come to Banaras to die.

It has 1500 temples, most of them devoted to Shiva.

It is a gathering place for the religiously learned and their disciples.

Sacred Cow of India

Gandhi: the Father of IndiaSocial concern was deeply rooted in the Sacredness of life.

All religions lead to God.

Gandhi was assassinated by nationalist fanatics on January 30, l948 as India was gaining its independence.

One Ocean, Many Names