Ch. 5 Hinduism
Modern Religion with Ancient Origins
Remember this pizza?
Hinduism Statistics
More stats…
Even more stats…
American Culture and the Hindu Faith?
In general
• Hindu comes from the
Sanskrit word “sindhu”
meaning “river”
• Most Indians would not call
themselves Hindu. Rather,
their self-identification
would be to what caste they
belong, their family
heritage, etc.
• Hindus accept the premises
or parts of several religions.
Yet Hindus hold that no one
religion can possibly claim
knowledge of the absolute
truth. It is encouraged to
imagine a god that best
represents each person.
History of Hinduism (pg. 184)
• No founder and no set
beginning.
• It would more accurate
to say that Hinduism
emerged as a religion.
• The Banyan Tree?
Indus Valley Period (pg. 186)
• The Indus Valley civilization existed
peacefully (ca. 3000 BCE). A
nomadic tribe called the Aryans
arrived around the year 1500BCE.
• Two prominent contributions of
Aryans to Hinduism were their
language and scripture.
• Scholars know little about these
Aryan settlers. They do know,
however, that their writings the
Vedas (divine knowledge). The
Aryans had a powerful oral
tradition in which customs and
culture were handed on by priests
or Rishis (seers of the past).
The Vedas were not written down until
the arrival of the Muslims in the 8th
Century CE. The importance of the
ORAL TRADITION
Brahaminical Period (pg. 187)
• Indo-Aryans intermarried with the
indigenous population and moved
south the to Ganges river (1500300BCE). An elaborate civilization
created where expensive ritual
sacrifices were coordinated by the
Brahmins.
• The Brahmins formed schools and
wrote commentaries about their ritual
sacrifices. These
commentaries/reflections and the
Vedas are included in the shruti (from
a word that means “what is heard”)
• Gurus took a prominent role (550BCE
to 300CE) after the Brahmins and
trained disciples in bhakti.
Location of Ganges and Vedas
Shiva and Vishnu
Classical Period (pgs. 188-189)
• A time period lasting from 300-1200CE
• Hindu temples and home rituals
established.
• Vernacular replaced Sanskrit.
• Although Shruti became the
authoritative scripture, the smriti
emerged as popular amongst the
people.
• The MOST IMPORTANT shift during this
time period, however, was the shift
from the transcendent to the
immanent. The concepts of karma,
reincarnation, and the samsara
emerged as essential. The Caste
System, based on the Aryan division of
labor, became the regulator of class and
status in Hindu society.
Hindu-Muslim Period (pg. 189)
• Period extending from 1200-1600CE.
• Muslims arrive in India around the year
711CE.
• Initially, Muslim leaders were tolerant of
the Hindu religion yet levied a religious
tax. Later (16th century) Mughals, a
Muslim tribal people, were less tolerant.
Some invaders destroyed Hindu shrines
and temples. (Admiral) Akbar attempted
to mesh Hinduism and Islam together to
no avail, though, this did happen later.
After Akbar Muslim toleration of Hinduism
declined and Hindus began to greatly
distinguish themselves from Islam. This
religion, Islam together with Hinduism, is
now known as Sikhism.
The Modern Period (pgs. 190-191)
• Colonialism strikes again. The Brits colonize and
create the “modern” India. Tensions with Islam
didn’t cease and the Muslims formed their own
nation in 1947, Pakistan.
• Mohandas “Mahatma” Gandhi was one of the
great reformers of India and Hinduism. His
influence helped India achieve independence
from Britain. Gandhi advocated for the equality
of religions. Ahimsa (non-violence) and
satyagrahada (passive resistance).
Sacred Stories and Scriptures (pgs. 193-199)
• Shruti(most sacred texts):
– Rig Veda: oldest and most sacred. A
collection of more than 1000 hymns to
various gods. Accounts of creation,
hymns of praise, and mantras used in
fire sacrifice.
– Soma Veda: A collection of hymns that
are chanted at the soma sacrifices.
– Yajur Veda: instructs the priests in the
proper manner of fire and soma
sacrifice.
– Atharva Veda: collection of hymns
intended for domestic use. Brings
healing and removes curses.
– Upanishads (to sit down beside):
writings concerned with the cycle of
rebirth as it is contingent on a person’s Soma:
actions, liberation from the cycle of
rebirth and the mystical relationship
between Brahman (Ultimate Reality)
and atman (soul).
Sacred Stories and Scriptures (pgs.
193-199)
• Smiriti (“that which is to be
remembered”)
– Mahabharata: a story of a
battle between families over
inheritance.
• Bhagavad Gita is the most
popular Hindu Scripture and the
most well known outside of
Hinduism. Arjuna and violence
and non-violence.
– Ramayana: epic story about
Prince Rama.
– Puranas: collection of stories
(myths and creation stories)
about the three great gods
(Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva) of
Hinduism. Popular among the
lower castes
Avatar:
Beliefs and Practices (pgs. 199-201)
• Deities:
– Many different gods!
– Absolute/Ultimate Reality or
Brahman. This ultimate reality is
transcendent and all things
material/immaterial belong to this
essence. Ultimate Reality assumes
the following forms.
•
•
•
•
•
•
Brahma or Creator god
Vishnu or Preserving god
Shiva or Destroying god
Parvati or Divine mother
Saraswati or the goddess of Learning
Lakshmi or the goddess of prosperity
– Absolute Reality is identical to the
innermost soul or real/truest self.
The real self or the atman. The
body, mind, and emotions of a
person are not considered a
person’s real self, only illusions or
maya.
Brahman
Transcendent
Atman
Maya
Beliefs and Practices (pgs. 201-203)
• LIFE IS CYCLICAL AND NOT
LINEAR!
– Karma is the moral law that
guides the universe of
Hinduism. Cause and Effect.
Who one is and how one now
acts is determined by deeds
in the person’s previous lives.
– Samsara or the
transmigration of souls more
commonly known as
reincarnation.
– Yoga or the notion that one
can choose to remove the
karmic residue from their
inner essence and move
toward moshka (liberation).
The three practices are
knowledge, good deeds, and
devotion.
Beliefs and Practices (pgs. 204-206)
• Caste System:
– Brahmins: priests who make up the
highest caste. They are from families who
are considered the purest, wisest, and
most learned.
– Kshatriyas are warriors. They help protect
and rule society.
– Vaishya are made up of those families
who are farmers and merchants.
– Shudra are servants the lowest in the
caste system. Not permitted to study
scripture.
– Asprishya or untouchables are families
considered defiled because they have the
job of cleaning up human waste. Their
actions in a previous life were in some way
vile.
Dharma
Artha
Kama
Moksha
Beliefs and Practices (pg. 205)
• Dharma: a person’s duties in
life, especially those related
to social obligations within
one’s caste.
• Artha: the pursuit of both
material and political
wealth.
• Kama: the pursuit of
artistic, recreational, and
sensual pleasure.
• Moksha: the pursuit of
liberation from the cycle of
rebirth through actions,
thoughts, and devotions.
Beliefs and Practices (pg. 206)
• STAGES OF LIFE KNOWN AS
ASHRAMAS:
• Brahmancarin: the student learns
about the Hindu tradition, usually
at the feet of a guru.
• Grihastha: the stage of the
householder, when he marries,
raises a family, and contributes to
society.
• Vanaprastha: literally, the “forest
dweller.” This is the stage when a
man begins to move away from
ordinary life to life as a hermit.
• Sannyasin: a spiritual pilgrim who
renounces everything, including
family and family name, to pursue
MOKSHA.
Sacred Time (pgs. 207-214)
• Calendar: Lunar calendar and
more complicated than Islamic
and Jewish calendar. Six
seasons instead of four.
– Diwali: festival of lights and some
consider start of new year.
Celebrates the return of Rama or
the seventh avatar of Vishnu. At
night, People light oil lamps (to
guide Vishnu) place colorful lights
(in celebration) on homes, and
pop firecrackers (ward off evil
spirits)
– Holi: Spring festival that
celebrates unruly love between
Krishna and Radha. The castes
divisions are suspended this day
and fun-loving pranks are
welcome. A red liquid or powder
is often used in celebration.
Sacred Time (pgs. 207-214)
• Life Cycle: Celebrate numerous occasions aka samskaras. There are 16!
• Birth
– Womb-placing: The rite of conception blessed with the intention of bringing a
child with an advance soul.
– Male rite: During the 3rd month of pregnancy in which there are prayers for a
male child and for good health for the mother.
– Hair parting: Between 4 and 7 months of pregnancy, the husband combs the
wife’s hair as a sign of love and support.
– Rite of birth: The father welcomes the child and gives him a taste of GHEE.
• Childhood
– Name-giving: Welcoming of the infant. Takes place between 3 and 6 weeks
after birth. Name is usually associated with some Hindu god. Anyone
converting to Hinduism would also go through this ceremony.
– Feeding: The first time the kid eats solid food is marked.
– Ear-piercing: Boys and girls have both ears pierced and gold earrings inserted.
– First hair cutting: This is a rite of passage for boys.
– Formal education: The child marks his/her entry into formal education by
writing the first letter of the alphabet in uncooked rice.
•
Sacred Time (pgs. 207-214)
Adulthood
– Fit or proper season: For girls, this is a
purification after the first menstrual period.
The home is blessed marking their coming of
age into adulthood.
– Beard-shaving: For guys, the home is blessed
marking the first beard shaving and
maturation into adulthood.
– Settlement of aim or word-giving: A
betrothal ceremony where the man and
woman pledge themselves to each other for
marriage. Rings are exchanged.
– Marriage: An elaborate ceremony that lasts
for days. A ceremonial fire is present
throughout, the gods are called upon, and
presents and vows are exchanged.
•
Funeral Rite:
– Preparation of body: Eldest son usually
washes and adorns the body with flowers.
– Cremation: Body is laid on a funeral pyre
near a holy river. The fire is set and prayers
are recited, people usually stay until the fire is
out.
– Scattering of ashes: The ashes are usually
scattered over a sacred river near the funeral
pyre. The Ganges is the most popular river
for this ceremony,.
Sacred Places (pgs. 214-219)
• Temples:
– Temples tend to have images
of many gods but are often
dedicated to one god in
particular.
– A brahmin often performs
puja (the practice of honoring
a god or goddess in a worship
service with minimum
participation by the people).
– Each Temple has three
elements: outer hall, temple
proper, and the “womb
chamber.” The last is where
the main deity of that temple
is located.
– Temples are considered a
temporary residence for that
particular god.
MURTI?
Sacred Places (pgs. 214-219)
• Home Shrines:
– Puja can be celebrated at
home whether individually
or collectively. The women
often leads the celebration
and a murti is present.
Hindus believe that the
murti is a representation of
god and not a god itself.
Flowers, incense, food,
clothes are offered to the
murti and blessings are
given, to the family, in
return.
Sacred Places (pgs. 214-219)
• Ganges River:
– The most sacred of all
places for the Hindus.
The symbol for life
without end. Hindus
perform spiritual bathing
in the river and it is
believed that one is able
to wash off the karma
that will keep them in
the cycle of samsara.
Many request that their
ashes be sprinkled into
the Ganges river.
Catholicism and Hinduism (pgs.219225)
• Jesus:
– Wide range of beliefs in Jesus
from Hindu perspective.
Some believed he traveled to
India to receive teaching from
Hindu sages, while others
believe the story of Jesus to
simply be a myth.
– For us, of course, Jesus is the
Son of God/Man. Jesus is
God on earth.
yogi
Catholicism and Hinduism (pgs.219225)
• Religious Images:
• Many look at Catholicism
and Hinduism as though we
worship idols. See the
iconoclasm controversy.
• Using icons, however, brings
us closer to understanding
the nature of our faith,
perhaps the nature of God.
For the Hindu, shrines and
devas aid in their
understanding of Brahma or
the Ultimate Reality.
Anthropomorphic:
Anthropomorphis
m,
or personification,