Lecture 5: The origins of Lecture 5: The origins of HinduismHinduism

Facts on HinduismFacts on HinduismThe word “Hinduism” encompasses a wide range of beliefs and practices

Hinduism is monotheistic and the oldest known religion

Hindus worship one ultimate being which they refer to as “Brahman”; the one, ultimate reality

Hinduism is the worlds third largest religion (13.26% of the world’s population)1

The word Hinduism comes from outsiders and as such the word is used with much controversy

1: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/print_2122.html

A famous Hindu: GandhiA famous Hindu: GandhiMohandas K. Gandhi

oLived 1869 to 1948

oFamous for his roles as a political

and spiritual leader

oGandhi viewed Religion as primarily

concerned with Self-Realization and

knowledge of oneself

oHeld strong philosophical beliefs

against violence

oSaw truth and morality as the most

important things in reality.

Problems with “Hinduism”Problems with “Hinduism”In your pair discuss the following:

What does the word “American” mean to you?

If you were asked to describe what it is to be American what description could you offer?

Is there one description that could accurately describe All Americans?

Can your description include Americans who do not currently live in the United States or those who were not born there?

Can it represent all of the different religious practices used throughout the United States?

Hinduism as a way of lifeHinduism as a way of lifeRather than treating Hinduism as a single religion with one strict set of beliefs scholars consider Hinduism more like a way of life

Hindu practices range from extreme Asceticism to sensuality

Hindu practices also vary according to region, caste, economic status, gender, and education.

Hindu families and individuals also have their own preferences

Sanatana DharmaSanatana DharmaGiven the controversies of the term “Hinduism” scholars prefer to take a thematic approach; Sanatana Dharma

Sanatana Dharma means “eternal religion”

Dharma includes the following:o Dutyo Natural lawo Social welfareo Ethicso Healtho Transcendental Realization

Hindu Origin TheoriesHindu Origin TheoriesThe earliest known era of Hinduism is known as the “Vedic Age”

but there are various theories on how to date and characterize

this period

1.Aryan Invasion Theory

o Nomads called the ‘Aryans’ invaded the north-west Indian

subcontinent and conquered the people of the Indus

valley.

o The Aryans developed the Vedic tradition; the foundation

of Hinduism

2.Some scholars argue that the Indus valley people were the

ancestors of those who spoke the Dravidian languages of

southern India and the Aryans forced them to move south.

3.Hindu Nationalists

Claim that the Aryans were native to India

4.More recent research suggests that smaller micro-migrations

over a long period may be responsible for changes in the Indus

valley.

The Indus ValleyThe Indus Valley

Holy Texts of Sanatana Holy Texts of Sanatana DharmaDharma

The VedasThe VedasThe Vedas represent an important foundation in Hinduism and teach us about the early origins of Sanatana Dharma

The Vedas are sacred hymns which were initially preserved orally

The Vedas were heard by ancient Rishis (Sages) and as such have a divine origin

The Vedas include (Chronologically)

1.Samhitas

2.Brahmanas

3.Aranyakas

4.Upanishads

The VedasThe Vedas

Brahamanas / Brahman / Brahamanas / Brahman / Brahmin Brahmin

Brahamanas

A portion of the Vedas

Brahman

The all-pervading reality

Brahmin

A priestly caste / sages

UpanishadUpanishad teachings teachingsRishis appear in the Upanishads and taught some of the following:

1.Brahman can be known from withinSuch knowledge is known as the self or the soul (Atman)

2.The concept of a cycle of death and rebirth (Samsara)The Atman is continually reborn according to the results of one’s actions (Karma)

3.The Rishis sought Moksha; Liberation from samsara

The Epics and PuranasThe Epics and PuranasAppeared after 500 C.E.

The Epics and Puranas illustrate the trend towards personal love for a deity

The two major epics are the Ramayana and the Mahabharata

The epics illustrate the theory of Yugas (ages)

According to this theory the universe passes through four ages

Our cosmos is currently in its worst ages; Kali Yuga

RamayamaRamayamaCompiled sometime between 400 B.C.E. to 200 C.E.

Uses stories of Prince Rama and his wife Sita to depict various kinds of relationships and duties

MahabharataMahabharata

Composed sometime between 4000 B.C.E. and 400 C.E.

Includes a number of texts including the Bhagavad-Gita

The Bhagavad-Gita relates a dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna at the beginning of a battle between two sides of a family

The PuranasThe PuranasTraditionally there are 18 Puranas

Composed sometime between 500-1500 C.E.

The Puranas detail the vast mythology of the Hindu Pantheon

A popular Purana is the Bhagvata Purana which tells the tale of Krishna as a mischievous child

Group assignmentGroup assignmentYour group must choose One of the following Hindu deities

1.1.BrahmaBrahma2.2.VishnuVishnu3.3.ShivaShiva4.4.SaraswatiSaraswati5.5.LakshmiLakshmi6.6.Durga/Parvati/AmbaDurga/Parvati/Amba7.7.VenkateshwaraVenkateshwara8.8.SatyanarayanaSatyanarayana9.9.RamaRama10.10.KrishnaKrishna11.11.KartikeyaKartikeya12.12.GaneshGanesh13.13.HanumanHanuman14.14.GauriGauri15.15.GayatriGayatri