Many Rivers to One Ocean Hinduism Many Rivers to One Ocean

What is Hinduism? A religion of ancient origins Term “Hindu” originally referred to people living in the Indus Valley region. (Hindu derived from the Sanskrit word, “sindhu” means river). “Hinduism”: all religious beliefs and practices of the people of India who were not Buddhists, Jains, Sikhs, Parses, Muslim, Jew or Christians. It is a harmony of many different beliefs and practices, all aiming for the common goal of salvation

What is Hinduism? The Basics 95% of Hindus live in India Hinduism emerged as a religion, it did not begin with a founder or particular event Hinduism shares no doctrinal statements Hindus hold that no one religion can possibly claim knowledge of absolute truth

Ganges River

History of Hinduism

The Indus Valley Period 3000-1500BC Characteristics emphasis on ritual purity focus on fertility and regeneration the practice of meditation emphasis on peacefulness Possible devotions to particular gods Not distinct until the Aryans came in India from the North Brought their language and scriptures (Veda)

The Brahminical Period 1500-300BC 900BC-More elaborate civilization developed south of the Ganges River Brahmins (Hindu priests) Ritual sacrifices Composed commentaries on rituals These commentaries and the Veda were included in the Shruti (authoritative) Development of home ritual sacrifices 550-300BC-Gurus (Hindu teachers and philosophers) trained bhakti (personal devotion to the gods) the gods Shiva and Vishnu gain in prominence

Classical Period 300BC-1200AD establishment of Hindu temples (recognized religion) growth of home-based rituals the Vedas become the authoritative scripture emphasis shifts from the transcendent to the immanent emphasis on personal transformation the concepts of karma and reincarnation emerge Sanskirt (ancient language of Hinduism and the Vedas) translated so that common people could understand

Classical Period 300BC-1200AD Concepts of karma and reincarnation emerged Caste system (social class) developed The castes are 1) brahmin or priests 2) kshatriya or warriors and administrators 3) Vaishya or producers (farmers, merchants, artisans and 4) Shudra or servants and laborers. Outside of the caste system were the Untouchables the lowest group of people

The Hindu-Muslim Period 1200-1600AD Prior to this time Muslims had conquered the northwest section of India. No forced conversions, only taxes In the 1500s, the Mughals expanded Islam further into India Some tolerant, others destroyed temples and statues There were some discussion at syncretizing religions, most unsuccessful Nanak (1459-1539) began new religion Sikhism, a synthesis of Hinduism and Islam

The Modern Period 1600-present 18th century, British defeated the Muslim rules in India Influence of Western culture Affected Hinduism socially 1947-Muslims broke away from India and established Pakistan as a separate Muslim country Christian Missionaries 19th century brought Hindu reformers of the religion, ex Ghandi

The Modern Period 1600-present Hinduism exposure in the West The First Parliament of Religions-Chicago 1893 Swami Vivekananda-missionary Beatles Maharishi Mahesh Yogi- Transcendental Meditation

Hindu Concept of God Hindus believe that all reality (God, universe, us) is essentially one thing Analogy: many rivers flowing into one ocean Hindus worship many gods through various masks of god This concept is called monism

Monism Monism is the concept that all reality is ultimately one Everything shares a common essence- this is called Brahman Brahman is discovered through serious contemplation- it is without characteristics that can be seen or heard or even really thought about According to the Upanishads, ancient Hindu philosophical texts, Brahman is “not this, not that” it is pure spirit

Monism Upanishads also teach that the ultimate reality can be understood through looking inward This ultimate reality within yourself is called Atman (The Eternal Self) “Atman” stays with you through each life and thus, in a sense it is Braham. Brahman: ultimate reality understood through the contemplation of the universe Atman: ultimate reality understood through contemplation of inner self

Sacred Stories and Sacred Scriptures Shruti Scriptures (the most sacred) 1. Rig Veda - hymns to various gods 2. Soma Veda - hymns chanted at sacrifices 3. Yajur Veda - instructions for priests regarding sacrifices 4. Atharva Veda - hymns, charms, spells and incantations for domestic use The Vedas The Holy Vedasc

Sacred Stories and Sacred Scriptures Shruti Scriptures – also… The Upanishads The Upanishads concerned with the cycle of rebirth the mystical relationship between Brahman (Ultimate Reality) and atmon (soul) often shared in a dialogue between guru and student

Examples of Smriti Scriptures Puranas Puranas Mahabharata Mahabharata stories of the gods: Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva a Hindu epic poem

Sacred Stories and Scriptures Shruti Smriti The Vedas “Sacred Knowledge” from gods Rig Veda-collection of more than 1000 hymns to various gods Soma Veda-hymns that are chanted during sacrifices Yajur Veda-prose, instruction for the priest Atharva Veda-hymns for domestic use Upanishads-writings about the cycle of rebirth, they were often stories shared in dialogue form. Less authoritative Focus on re-birth and importance of a person’s actions. Present Hindu morals and lessons in stories or epics Ex Bhagavad Gita

Hinduism Beliefs: Ultimate Goal for Hindus: Salvation through liberation from the constraints of the human condition Liberation is a distant goal-for most people, it won’t happen in this life Hindus believe in the concept of reincarnation: rebirth in new life forms Hindu believe liberation can take many lifetimes

Liberation ~ Ending the Cycle Hindu term for liberation is moksha Moksha literally means “release”- it is a release from the ordinary limited realm of existence With moksha, reincarnation ends and Hindus are returned to the sacred source forever, becoming one with Brahman This source is Infinite bliss, awareness and being

Three Paths to Liberation (Moksha) 1) Karma Marga: “The Path of Works” -Living in accordance with dharma - Gandhi was a proponent of this path -Marked by an attitude of unselfishness -Perform right actions but don’t seek credit -Avoid attachment to the results of our actions

Three Paths to Liberation 2) Jnana Marguh: “The Path of Knowledge” -Need a talent for philosophical reflection (mainly subscribe to by brahmin class) -Emphasizes the attaining knowledge of the true nature of reality -Only found through the profound contemplation of the innermost self -Generally there are three schools of philosophy

Three Paths to Liberation 3) Bhakti Marga: “Path of Devotion” -Bhagavad Gita example of this path loving reverence for one’s chose god or goddess -Best suited for those to whom emotional attachment comes easily -Instead of looking inward (“Path of Knowledge”), the Path of Devotion directs spiritual energy outward through worship of a deity -gods and goddesses favor devotees and answer their prayers -Worship leads people away from selfish concerns towards focusing on the divine, which helps lead to moksha