MAJOR CONCEPTS IN
HINDUISM
HINDU WORLDVIEW AND PURPOSE
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTBE2NQnG5A – the
meaning and significance of dharma in Hindu tradition
• In Hinduism the goal is to reach moksha, or release from
samsara.
• Moksha is also the reunion of the atman with Brahman.
• In Hindu society, social order is significant in determining
dharma (or righteous duty), and morality.
• Traditionally, society is divided into castes.
THE CASTE SYSTEM
Traditionally, Aryans were in the
“twice born” castes and could
read the Vedas. Non-Aryans
were low caste.
ISSUES RELATED TO CASTE
• Equality exists within castes but not between them.
• Justice (responsibility and consequences) is
dependent on caste:
• High caste people have higher penalties
(sometimes 4x higher) for breaking the law.
• Lower castes have fewer rules regarding eating
meat, remarriage.
• Caste is rejected by the Buddha and reformed by
Gandhi.
HOW DOES A PERSON KNOW THEIR DHARMA?
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Hindus believe caste comes from karma of past lives.
Determined by gender, stage of life, path and caste.
The 4 traditional stages of life:
Student
Householder
Forest Dweller/Retirement
Ascetic/Wanderer
PATHS TO SALVATION
• The ultimate goal of Hindu life is moksha.
• The way the goal is reached is flexible.
• Paths are called either yoga (union, yoking) or
marga (path)
• Path of action/work (karma yoga)
• Path of knowledge/theory (jnana yoga)
• Path of devotion/emotion (bhakti yoga)
• The Royal Path (rajah yoga) – controlling the mind
DETERMINE THE DHARMA!
Know your DHARMA
To get good KARMA
To escape SAMSARA
To achieve MOKSHA
DETERMINE THE DHARMA
• In your small group:
• Determine the dharma, good and bad karma for
each person.
1. A married mother of 3 who works part time.
2. A retired man whose wife has died.
3. A male high school student with a younger
brother.
4. A high caste Hindu man.
MOKSHA VS EARTHLY GOALS
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Hinduism accepts that moksha may be a distant goal.
Goals for earthly life:
Sensual pleasure (kama) – within appropriate context
Material success (artha) – honest earning
Right conduct (dharma) – practicing compassion,
purity, goodness
HINDU RIGHTEOUS LIVING
• People can get good karma by living a life of
kama, artha and dharma
• eventually people need to give these up - karmic
system keeps people bound to samsara
• Hindus will need to devote their entire life to God to
be released from samsara.