Introduction to Hinduism
Dr. Shira LanderBoniuk Center for Religious Tolerance
at Rice University
What is “Hinduism”?
1. HINDU
– corruption of
SINDHU, the
ancient Sanskrit
name for the
INDUS river
2. Western scholarly
construction
– Included among
“Eastern Religions”
Hindu Population Distributionby Country
601,000-910,000,000
230,000-600,999
120,000-229,999
History
6,000–1900 BCE:
Indus-Sarasvati
Civilization
History, continued1500–500 BCE: Vedic Period (also referred to as the “Aryan migration”)
500 BCE–500 CE: Epic, Puranic and Classical Ages
500 CE–1200 CE: Early and Middle Medieval Period
Early development of bhakti (esp. in South India)
Formation of sampradayas
Theological establishment of Vedanta
1200–1757 CE: Muslim Period
Bhakti saints and the cultivation of personal piety
Development of the theistic traditions
1757–1947 CE: British Period
The reform movements and birth of neo-Hinduism
1947 CE–present: Independent India
Emigration to Britain, Europe, and North America
Beliefs: God (OM)
1. Monism: Advaita [“Mainstream”]– Underlying power in the universe, Brahman
– Brahman is perfect, omniscient, omnipresent, incorporeal,
independent, creator of the world, causeless, eternal,
immutable, immanent , and transcendent
1b. Attributive Monism: Vishishtadvaita– Brahman is composed of the universe, sentient beings, and
Ishvara
2. Monotheism: Dvaita– Supreme transcendent being known as “Vishnu”
– Distinct from human souls
Beliefs: Principles• Atman
– life-giving force, “soul”; In plants, animals, and human beings (vegetarianism)
• Moksha [or mukti]
– escape from cycle of reincarnation, samsara
• Dharma (path to right living)
– Sanatana Dharma (the eternal truth)
– Varnashrama Dharma (how to fulfill one‟s station in life)
• Karma
– acts from previous life that determine station in next life; results of thought, word and action; “what goes around, comes around”
• Maya
– Ignorance
• Samadhi
– super-consciousness of God, enlightenment
Teachings: Four Aims (of Life)
1. Dharma
– religious and moral life
2. Artha
– economic development
3. Kama
– appropriate gratification of the senses
4. Moksha
– escape from cycle of reincarnation, samsara
Teachings: Four Pathways
1. Karma yoga
– action and selfless deeds
2. Jnana yoga
– spiritual knowledge
3. Raj(a) yoga
– self-control through meditation
4. Bhakti yoga
– devotion
Four Stages of Life (Ashramas)
1. Brahmacharya
– student
2. Grihastha
– householder
3. Vaanaprastha
– retreat, meditation
4. Sanyaasa
– renunciation, seeking Moksha
Four Varnas (stations)1. Brahmins
• scholars & priests
2. Kshatriyas
• kings, nobles, & warriors
3. Vaishyas
• farmers & merchants
4. Shudras
• artisans & servants
Jatis (communities; “scheduled castes”—British term)1.Brahmins (scholars & priests)
• Rarhi Brahmins (Northeast Indian priests)
• Kashmiri Pandits (Kashmir scholars)
2.Kshatriyas (kings, nobles, & warriors)• Khatri (Punjabi warriors)
• Nadars (South Indian rulers)
3.Vaishyas (farmers & merchants)• Patels (Northwest Indian farmers)
• Vaniyas (Northwest Indian traders)
4.Shudras (artisans & servants)• Lohars (North Indian iron-workers)
• Kumhars (potters)
Scriptures & Literature1. Dharma sutras = “shruti” (divinely revealed)
– Vedas (truths of existence)—most sacredA. Samhitas (hymns)
B. Braahmanas (rituals)
C. Aranyakas (rituals)
D. Upanishads (wisdom, spirituality)
2. Dharma shastras = “smriti” (laws, ways of living)– Manusmriti (code for living, rights & responsibilities)
– Itihasas (records, legendary past)• Ramayana (epic)
• Mahabharata (epic poem)
• Darshanas (philosophy)
• Puranas (mythological literature)
• Agamas, Sutras, Vedanga, Dharma Shastras, & Prasthana-vakyas
Philosophical Systems (darshanas)
1. Mimamsa (action)
2. Nyaya (logic)
3. Vaisheshika (composition and structure
of matter)
4. Sankhya (function of matter)
5. Yoga (mind-body discipline)
6. Vedanta (ultimate reality and spiritual
knowledge)
Deities
• Represent divine attributes
– Many consider attributes to be incarnated or
“born” into exemplary human beings
(avataars)
• „Enlivened‟ through priestly rite
– Many regard as containing a divine spark
• Ishta-devata
– Individuals choose which deity to worship
Deity “Genealogy”
BRAHMA(N):ABSOLUTE
UNSEEN POWER
PARVATI:LOVE &
DEVOTION
SHIVA:CREATIVE &
DESTRUCTIVE FORCE
GANESHA:REMOVES
OBSTACLES
KARTIKEYA/SUBRAMANIAM:COMMANDER,
ARMY OF GODS
VISHNU:PROTECTION &
CONCERN
10 INCARNATIONS
KRISHNA:WARRIOR/YOUTH
RAMA:IDEAL MAN
Divine
“Trinity”
Sri (Lord) Ganesha
• son of Parvati and
Shiva
• remover of all
obstacles
• worshipped first
before starting any
religious function
• two consorts, siddhi
(achievement) &
buddhi (intellect), or
siddhi & ruddhi
(prosperity)
Ritual: Prayer-Chant
Gayatri MantraDear God, You are the Giver and Sustainer of all life, the
Remover of all sorrows, the Bestower of bliss. [The
Creator of the Universe, the One who always inspires us,
You alone are worthy of worship, You are the Light
which illuminates us, the Fire which burns away all our
evil desires. You are the Supreme Being. We meditate
on You. You who have all these qualities, please inspire
our intellect so that we may move forward, may we be
able to tell right from wrong and always follow the right
path.]--Rig Veda 3:63:20, Yajur Veda 3:35, and Saam Veda 6:3:10:1, tr. Anand.
Ritual, continued
• Puja (worship)– Washing before (purity/pollution)
– Hymns, Blessings, Prayers
– Prasada (consecrated food)
• Arati or Aarti, “highest love for God”
• Pilgrimage
Tirupati
Ritual, continued
• Pilgrimage, continued
Mathura
Varanasi
Ritual, continued
• Pilgrimage, continued Mt. Kailash
Ganges
Ritual, continued
Samskaras (sacraments*)
– Pregnancy
– Naming
– Solid food
– Hair-cutting
– Alphabet-teaching
*The number and selection of
these varies from 8-40.
– Formal education
– Marriage
– 60th Birthday
– Funeral
Sacred Space: TempleSri Meenakshi Devasthanam TemplePearland, TX
Sacred Space: TempleSri Meenakshi Devasthanam TemplePearland, TX
Temple Layout
Festivals (vary considerably)
• New Year (Nov. 3, 2010)
• Ramanavami
• Hanuman Jayanti
• Guru Purnima
• Raksha Bandhan
• Sri Krishna Jayanti
• Krishna
Janmashtami
• Ganesha Chaturthi
• Navaratri
• Dasera
• Diwali
• Vasant Panchami
• Maha Shivaratri
• Holi
Most commonly observed
Authority Figures
Traditionally Male*
• Household Priest (purohita)
– Family rituals outside the
temple
• Temple Priest (pujari)
– Veneration and care of
temple deities
*In recent years, women have trained
as priests, yet they face opposition
in certain areas
Male and Female
• Rishis
– advanced sages who have
accomplished samadhi
• Mahatma/Deva (saint)
• Sannyasi (ascetic)
– Often called “swami”
• Guru
– master teacher/guide
• Yogi
– spiritual master or adherent
of yoga
Symbols and Iconography
• Carvings representing
Hindu lore
• OM, or AUM
• Deities & their
accoutrements
• Food offerings
(raisins, milk, rice,
bananas, turmeric,
rose water, ghee,
coconut, e.g.)
• Fire
• Holy Water
• Incense
• Conch
• Cow
• Swastika
• Six-pointed star
• Tilak
• Bindi
Sources• Karma bumper sticker from Café Press 11/30/09
<http://images9.cafepress.com/product/30756069v1_225x225_Front.jpg >.
• Karma button from Northern Sun 11/30/09 <http://www.northernsun.com/images/imagethumb/%20My%20Karma%20Ran%20Over%20Dogma%20Button%20(0098).jpg >.
• Indus River Map from My Bru Café, 3/16/09, 11/30/09 <http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4m8Rz_zZlVQ/Sb3d-EDZTXI/AAAAAAAABwk/H8oLGg7H6ng/s400/the-indus-river0.gif>.
• Population distribution map adapted and corrected from 3/17/07, 11/29/09 <http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hindu_population_numbers.png>.
• History from Versions of Hindu History 2004, 11/29/09 <http://hinduism.iskcon.com/tradition/1001.htm>.
• Deity Genealogy Chart from A Huggins. Hindu Gods and Goddesses. © Copyright 2004, Davis School District. 1/13/2007 <http://www.davis.k12.ut.us/staff/ahuggins/files/828AB86770C24C82A5A6A887A5DA798F.ppt#267,13,REVIEW>, adapted.
Sources, continued• Tirupati, Maradhi Manni , 10/30/09, 12/1/09
<http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4uvyB_DGKAI/SuqTC5EJlCI/AAAAAAAAEWY/8wwATcdW-To/s400/tirupati-temple-635_m.jpg >.
• Varanasi, Travel Asia - Asian Travel Destinations, 2/22/08, 12/1/09 <http://travelasia.findairlines.net/images/varanasi.jpg >.
• Mathura, 12/1/09 <http://www.dharmakshetra.com/holy%20land/kesava%20deo%201.jpg >.
• Ganges, National Geographic. Travel and Cultures,12/1/09 <http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/places/images/ga/india_ganges-river-bathing.jpg >.
• Mt. Kailash, Places of Peace and Power, 12/1/09 <http://www.sacredsites.com/asia/tibet/mt_kailash.html >.
• Music of “Gayatri Mantra” from 11/29/2009 <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGFpd3mcVv0>.
• Sri Meenakshi Devasthanam Temple and Deity, 11/27/2009 <http://www.emeenakshi.org>.
Sources, continued• Brass ewer, Amir Mohtashemi. Muslim and Indian Works of Art,
12/2/09 <http://www.amirmohtashemi.com/art/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=194&g2_serialNumber=2>.
• Incense, Zee Gift Shop, 12/2/09 <http://shopping.zeenews.com/gifts-to-india/gifts-YC07.html>.
• Conch, Exotic India: The One Stop Shop for Indian Arts, 12/2/09 <http://images.exoticindiaart.com/sculptures/musical_ganesha_conch_rl47.jpg>.
• Swastika, Arya Dharma -- The Noble Way of the Higher Truths, 12/2/09 <http://www.aryadharma.org/>.
• Six-pointed star, Love of India. The First Polish Portal about India,12/2/09 <http://loveindia.co.uk/portal/img/article/symbols/shatkona.jpg>.
• Tilak, Steve Evans, “Man in Varanasi with red tilak on his forehead,” 12/2/09 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Babasteve-Varanasi_man.jpg>.
• Bindi, 3/8/08, 12/2/09 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Bindi.pottu.battu.jpg>.
Recommended Reading
• Hinnels, John, ed. Handbook of Living Religions (London: Penguin,
1991, pp. 261-309). ISBN: 0140514805.
• Knott, Kim. Hinduism: A Very Short Introduction. (Oxford: Oxford
University Press, 2000). ISBN: 0192853872.
• Knipe, D. Hinduism. Experiments in the Sacred (Waveland Press,
1998). ISBN: 1577660110.
• Flood, Gavin D. An Introduction to Hinduism (Foundation Books,
2004). ISBN: 8175960280.
A neo-Hindu perspective:
• Anand, Sudhir. The Essence of the Hindu Religion (With an
Introduction to the Vedas and Yoga) (UBS Publishers & Distributors
Ltd., 2002). ISBN: 8174764011.
Recommended Reading
FOR THE BJP issue, see:
Sahu, Sunil K., “Religion and Politics in India: The Emergence of Hindu
Nationalism and the Bharatiya Janata Party,” in Jelen, Ted Gerald,
and Wilcox, Clyde, eds. Religion and Politics in Comparative
Perspective: The One, the Few, and the Many (New York:
Cambridge University Press, 2002), 243-68.