Exploring the Religions of Our World Chapter 5 Hinduism Chapter 5 Hinduism

The Basics 95% of Hindus live in India95% of Hindus live in India Hinduism emerged as a religion, it did not begin with a founder or particular eventHinduism emerged as a religion, it did not begin with a founder or particular event Hinduism shares no doctrinal statementsHinduism shares no doctrinal statements Hindus hold that no one religion can possibly claim knowledge of absolute truthHindus hold that no one religion can possibly claim knowledge of absolute truth The Basics 95% of Hindus live in India Hinduism emerged a a a 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

Chapter 5 Hinduism Periods of Hindu History Periods of Hindu History  Pages

Chapter 5 Hinduism History (continued) Major developments of: The Indus Valley Period ( BCE) The Indus Valley Period ( BCE) emphasis on ritual purityemphasis on ritual purity focus on fertility and regenerationfocus on fertility and regeneration the practice of meditationthe practice of meditation emphasis on peacefulnessemphasis on peacefulness History (continued) Major developments of: The Indus Valley Period ( BCE) emphasis on ritual purity focus on fertility and regeneration the practice of meditation emphasis on peacefulness

Chapter 5 Hinduism History (continued) Major developments of: The Brahminical Period ( BCE) The Brahminical Period ( BCE) ritual sacrifices by the Brahmins (priests)ritual sacrifices by the Brahmins (priests) home ritual sacrificeshome ritual sacrifices gurus (teachers) train disciples in personal devotion to the godsgurus (teachers) train disciples in personal devotion to the gods the gods Shiva and Vishnu gain in prominencethe gods Shiva and Vishnu gain in prominence rise of ascetical practicesrise of ascetical practices History (continued) Major developments of: The Brahminical Period ( BCE) ritual sacrifices by the Brahmins (priests) home ritual sacrifices gurus (teachers) train disciples in personal devotion to the gods the gods Shiva and Vishnu gain in prominence rise of ascetical practices

Chapter 5 Hinduism History (continued) Major developments of: The Classical Period ( CE) The Classical Period ( CE) establishment of Hindu templesestablishment of Hindu temples growth of home-based ritualsgrowth of home-based rituals the Vedas become the authoritative scripturethe Vedas become the authoritative scripture emphasis shifts from the transcendent to the immanentemphasis shifts from the transcendent to the immanent emphasis on personal transformationemphasis on personal transformation the concepts of karma and reincarnation emergethe concepts of karma and reincarnation emerge the evolution of the caste systemthe evolution of the caste system History (continued) Major developments of: The Classical Period ( CE) establishment of Hindu temples 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 the evolution of the caste system

Chapter 5 Hinduism History (continued) Jainism: founded by Mahavira in the sixth century BCEfounded by Mahavira in the sixth century BCE contains elements of Hinduism and Buddhismcontains elements of Hinduism and Buddhism practice non-violence or non-injurypractice non-violence or non-injury History (continued) Jainism: founded by Mahavira in the sixth century BCE contains elements of Hinduism and Buddhism practice non-violence or non-injury

Chapter 5 Hinduism Sacred Stories and Sacred Scriptures Shruti Scriptures (the most sacred) Sacred Stories and Sacred Scriptures Shruti Scriptures (the most sacred) TheHolyVedascTheHolyVedasc 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 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 TheVedasTheVedas

TheUpanishadsTheUpanishads Chapter 5 Hinduism Sacred Stories and Sacred Scriptures (continued) Shruti Scriptures – also… Sacred Stories and Sacred Scriptures (continued) Shruti Scriptures – also… TheUpanishadsTheUpanishads  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 cccconcerned with the cycle of rebirth tttthe mystical relationship between Brahman (Ultimate Reality) and atmon (soul) ooooften shared in a dialogue between guru and student

PuranasPuranas MahabharataMahabharata Chapter 5 Hinduism MahabharataMahabharata PuranasPuranas a Hindu epic poem a Hindu epic poem stories of the gods: Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva stories of the gods: Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva Sacred Stories and Sacred Scriptures (continued) Smriti Scriptures Sacred Stories and Sacred Scriptures (continued) Smriti Scriptures

Chapter 5 Hinduism Beliefs and Practices Most Hindus hold these beliefs in common: Beliefs and Practices Most Hindus hold these beliefs in common: millions of gods and goddesses millions of gods and goddesses the cycle of rebirth rebirth the sacredness of life the sacredness of life the caste system system the four stages of life the four stages of life

is the life- force of the universe is the life- force of the universe includes every- thing material and immaterial includes every- thing material and immaterial is manifested in gods and goddesses is manifested in gods and goddesses has no attributes attributes istranscendentistranscendent cannot be grasped by the five senses cannot be grasped by the five senses Chapter 5 Hinduism Beliefs and Practices (continued) Brahman = one Ultimate Reality or Absolute Reality which: = one Ultimate Reality or Absolute Reality which: Beliefs and Practices (continued) Brahman = one Ultimate Reality or Absolute Reality which:

Chapter 5 Hinduism Beliefs and Practices (continued) An avatar is the incarnation of a god or goddess e.g. Krishna and Rama An avatar is the incarnation of a god or goddess e.g. Krishna and Rama 3 primary forms of Brahman 3 primary forms of Brahman 1. Brahma is the Creator god 2. Vishnu is the Preserving god 3. Shiva is the Destroying god 1. Brahma is the Creator god 2. Vishnu is the Preserving god 3. Shiva is the Destroying god

Chapter 5 Hinduism Beliefs and Practices (continued) Atman: is the “real self” (mind, body, and emotions are “maya” or illusions)is the “real self” (mind, body, and emotions are “maya” or illusions) Hindus strive for release from maya in order to achieve union with Brahman/atmanHindus strive for release from maya in order to achieve union with Brahman/atman Moksha (liberation) is achieved through rigorous physical and mental disciplineMoksha (liberation) is achieved through rigorous physical and mental discipline Beliefs and Practices (continued) Atman: is the “real self” (mind, body, and emotions are “maya” or illusions) Hindus strive for release from maya in order to achieve union with Brahman/atman Moksha (liberation) is achieved through rigorous physical and mental discipline

Chapter 5 Hinduism Beliefs and Practices (continued) Samsara - the cycle of rebirth Beliefs and Practices (continued) Samsara - the cycle of rebirth birthbirth deathdeath rebirthrebirth karmakarma breaking the cycle:  knowledge  good deeds  devotion breaking the cycle:  k nowledge  g ood deeds  d evotion

Chapter 5 Hinduism Beliefs and Practices (continued) The major pursuits of life: Beliefs and Practices (continued) The major pursuits of life: Dharma one’s duties in life, especially as dictated by caste Dharma one’s duties in life, especially as dictated by caste Artha pursuit of both material and political wealth Artha pursuit of both material and political wealth Kama pursuit of artistic, recreational, and sensual pleasure Kama pursuit of artistic, recreational, and sensual pleasure Moksha pursuit of liberation from the cycle of rebirth through actions, thoughts, and devotions Moksha pursuit of liberation from the cycle of rebirth through actions, thoughts, and devotions

Chapter 5 Hinduism Sikhism a blending of Hinduism and Islama blending of Hinduism and Islam is monotheisticis monotheistic beliefs: karma, samsara, moksha, equalitybeliefs: karma, samsara, moksha, equality rejects: caste system, idol worshiprejects: caste system, idol worship signs of devotion: unshorn hair, comb, short pants, steel bracelet, short swordsigns of devotion: unshorn hair, comb, short pants, steel bracelet, short sword many have a desire to found and establish their own homelandmany have a desire to found and establish their own homeland Sikhism a blending of Hinduism and Islam is monotheistic beliefs: karma, samsara, moksha, equality rejects: caste system, idol worship signs of devotion: unshorn hair, comb, short pants, steel bracelet, short sword many have a desire to found and establish their own homeland

Chapter 5 Hinduism Sacred Places and Sacred Spaces Sacred Places and Sacred Spaces temples many images of gods/goddessestemples gods/goddesses home shrines many images of gods/goddesses home shrines many images of gods/goddesses Ganges River symbol of life w/o end ritual bathing Ganges River symbol of life w/o end ritual bathing puja honoring the gods puja

Chapter 5 Hinduism Hinduism through a Catholic Lens Similarities: toleration of religious diversitytoleration of religious diversity pursuing social issuespursuing social issues honoring Jesus and his teachingshonoring Jesus and his teachings the tradition of depicting and venerating religious imagesthe tradition of depicting and venerating religious images Hinduism through a Catholic Lens Similarities: toleration of religious diversity pursuing social issues honoring Jesus and his teachings the tradition of depicting and venerating religious images

Chapter 5 Hinduism Hinduism through a Catholic Lens (continued) Differences: karmakarma reincarnationreincarnation the caste systemthe caste system Jesus as the one and only incarnation of GodJesus as the one and only incarnation of God Hinduism through a Catholic Lens (continued) Differences: karma reincarnation the caste system Jesus as the one and only incarnation of God

Chapter 5 Hinduism Brahmins Brahmins shruti shruti gurus gurus bhakti bhakti Sanskrit Sanskrit karma karma caste system caste system Brahmins shruti gurus bhakti Sanskrit karma caste system mantra mantra Hare Krishnas Hare Krishnas Avatar Avatar Brahman Brahman transcendent transcendent Atman Atman maya maya mantra Hare Krishnas Avatar Brahman transcendent Atman maya samsara samsara yoga yoga satyagraha satyagraha puja puja iconoclasm iconoclasm devas devas samsara yoga satyagraha puja iconoclasm devas Vocabulary Vocabulary