HINDUISM
How to prepare for DEATH
4 November 2010
Foundation for Self-Knowledge NZ
HINDU
1.Derivation of the word ‘HINDU’
• Geographical location
• People
2.History
Foundation for Self-Knowledge NZ
Foundation for Self-Knowledge NZ
HINDU
Foundation for Self-Knowledge NZ
HINDU
Foundation for Self-Knowledge NZ
HINDU
Foundation for Self-Knowledge NZ
History
As archelogy tells us, the journey of the Hindu civilization as
we know it today, began about 6500 BC as Indus civilization.
Later it became Indus-Saraswati civilization.
This culture still continues to exist in India under the name,
Vedic Tradition and Culture – the present form of Hinduism.
Foundation for Self-Knowledge NZ
Sindhu River
Foundation for Self-Knowledge NZ
HINDU
Foundation for Self-Knowledge NZ
Sarasvati River by satellite
Foundation for Self-Knowledge NZ
Prominent scholars
1.Aryabhatta: Astronomer and
Mathematician
2.Varahamihir: Astrologer and
Astronomer
3.Bhaskaracharya: Genius in Algebra
4.Dhanvantari: Father of Surgery
( Ayurveda)
Foundation for Self-Knowledge NZ
Prominent Scholars
5. Charak: Physician of Ayurveda
( Author of Charak Samhita)
6. Sushruta: Father of Cosmetic Surgery
7. Panini: Sanskrit Grammarian. 1600
BC.
8. Patanjali: Ashtanga Yoga.
Foundation for Self-Knowledge NZ
ARYABHATTA
(Astronomer and Mathematician)
First to gift algebra to the world.
Contribution to Mathematics:
1. Value of Pi as 3.1416 to four decimal places
2. Sine table
3. Theory of earth’s rotation
4. Theory of solving indeterminate equations
Foundation for Self-Knowledge NZ
ARYABHATTA
5.Theory of planetary motions.
6. Division of time
7. Celestial latitude of planets
8. Radian measure in minutes
9. Theory of eclipses
His revelation of the earth’s rotation, and orbit
around the sun was 1000 years prior to
Copernicus’s heliocentric theory
Foundation for Self-Knowledge NZ
HINDUISM
The culture and tradition followed by the
people in the land of Hindu is known as
Hinduism. It has its base in the Vedas.
1. Hinduism is not a religion but a way of life.
2. It is not based on any particular founder or a
book
Foundation for Self-Knowledge NZ
Hinduism
Hinduism can be compared to a tree whose roots are in the
Vedas, the branches are the different cultural practices and
customs, and trunk is the concept of God, which is central to
Hinduism.
Foundation for Self-Knowledge NZ
Hinduism
Foundation for Self-Knowledge NZ
Dharma – Moral ethics
Our
character
and
personality
determine
the
experiences we gain in the world. Unless we learn to
master our inner life, the outer circumstances of life,
however efficient and perfect, can never bring us the
happiness we seek.
Foundation for Self-Knowledge NZ
G
God
There is no “one God” but there is “only God” and God
is not a separate entity with a particular name and form,
but it is the name for all forms, the whole creation. In
the Vedic vision nothing in the creation is separate from
the Lord.
Foundation for Self-Knowledge NZ
Karma- The law of action and its result
1.Sattvika
2.Rajasika
3.Tamasik
Foundation for Self-Knowledge NZ
Absolute Truth
Brahman- Sat-chit-Ananda
The completeness or contentment that I
look for in life happens to be myself.
This is why I can not settle for anything
less.
Foundation for Self-Knowledge NZ
Death – the concept
Death is an event that has a tremendous impact. It brings a sense
of loss and sorrow, as the person who has died will no longer
be among them. Spirituality helps a person to accept death
gracefully.
It is believed that matter and energy are conserved and do not
dissipate, so also an individual's existence does not come to
an end at death. Death can be analyzed from three stand
points. They are-
1. Physical body
2. The Subtle body or the soul
3. Absolute reality
Foundation for Self-Knowledge NZ
Death ceremony and its purpose
•The religious ceremonies connected to the death of an
individual, called ‘antyeshti’, is performed for twelve
days. They are quiet profound and elaborate.
• Many features of the ceremonies facilitate the mourning
process.
•Prayers are done for the well-being of the departed soul.
•Various offerings are made to the departed and to one’s
ancestors.
Foundation for Self-Knowledge NZ
Death Rituals
1. The funeral rites are done by the eldest son, if available. If
none, the spouse or the closest male relative is entitled to
perform the same.
2. The dead body needs to be cremated as soon as possible,
after performing the funeral rites.
3. The body will be given a ceremonial wash and clothed
with new clothes. It will also be decorated with sandal
paste and flower garlands.
Foundation for Self-Knowledge NZ
Death Rituals
4.The body will be taken to the cremation ground in a ceremonial
procession, carried by close relatives and friends and led by the
sons. Ladies and children are not allowed to enter the cremation
ground.
5.Until the body is cremated, food is not cooked in the house where
death has occurred.
6.The death rituals continue for 12 days. For the 12 days, mourning
is observed, eating a simple meal a day and avoiding
participation in any celebration or worship.
Foundation for Self-Knowledge NZ
Death Rituals
7. During these ceremonies, lots of charities are given. The
giving of charities with the chanting of the Vedic mantras
is very crucial and constitutes the core of the rituals.
8.Charities done, while a person is living are meant for the
welfare and betterment of one’s family and charities
done, after the death during these ceremonies are for the
welfare of the departed soul.
Foundation for Self-Knowledge NZ
Conclusion
Hindu philosophy accepts death as an apparent
phenomenon, but emphasizes on the absolute truth of
oneself, which is deathlessness or immortality. The purpose
of life is to understand this truth and make living a
celebration, a dance of immortality in the realm of death
and mortality!
Foundation for Self-Knowledge NZ
.
Thank You
Foundation for Self-Knowledge NZ