Introductory Questions: Hinduism Hinduism has no founder. Explain. Hinduism has no founder. Explain. What did the Indus Valley and Aryan cultures contribute to Hindu thought? What did the Indus Valley and Aryan cultures contribute to Hindu thought? What evidence is there of Hinduism’s complex web of religious ideas? Is Hinduism polytheistic or monotheistic? What evidence is there of Hinduism’s complex web of religious ideas? Is Hinduism polytheistic or monotheistic?

Basics of Hinduism Originated in India (no specific founder or text): oldest living religion Originated in India (no specific founder or text): oldest living religion Dates back to 1500 BCE and many consider it the oldest religion in the world (Stevens 2011, Merriam-Webster) Dates back to 1500 BCE and many consider it the oldest religion in the world (Stevens 2011, Merriam-Webster) Third largest religion with approx 1 billion adherents (adherents.com) Third largest religion with approx 1 billion adherents (adherents.com) Practiced by approx 80% of India’s inhabitants (2011 Census) Practiced by approx 80% of India’s inhabitants (2011 Census) Derivative of word Hindu is the geographical term (Sindu River or Indus Valley) Derivative of word Hindu is the geographical term (Sindu River or Indus Valley)

Indus Valley 3300 – 1300 BCE (Most of modern-day Pakistan, parts of northwestern India, and Afghanistan) 3300 – 1300 BCE (Most of modern-day Pakistan, parts of northwestern India, and Afghanistan) Built houses for worship Built houses for worship Great Male God and Mother Goddess Great Male God and Mother Goddess First identifier of Shiva? First identifier of Shiva? Stone sculptures and charms to ward off evil, Stone sculptures and charms to ward off evil, Fire altars & animal sacrifices, as well as Baths as spiritual worship (water plays key role in society and religion) Fire altars & animal sacrifices, as well as Baths as spiritual worship (water plays key role in society and religion)

Aryans (Noble – Sanskrit) Entered Indus Valley from modern-day Russia BCE Entered Indus Valley from modern-day Russia BCE Nomadic people with no sophisticated government; clans with chiefs (rajas) Nomadic people with no sophisticated government; clans with chiefs (rajas) Culture of story-telling: Culture of story-telling: 1500 BCE Poems and ritual texts called VEDAS (early sacred writings) – see next slide 1500 BCE Poems and ritual texts called VEDAS (early sacred writings) – see next slide  Agni – god of fire; messenger to other gods (key figure of the Vedas) Atman - human soul or inner self (leads to liberation and return to Brahman) Atman - human soul or inner self (leads to liberation and return to Brahman)

VEDAS Composed in Sanskrit Composed in Sanskrit Vedas literally means “knowledge“ Vedas literally means “knowledge“ Vedas Vedas called “Shruti” by the Hindus Vedas called “Shruti” by the Hindus RIG VEDA RIG VEDA Upanishads – mystical texts on human existence Upanishads – mystical texts on human existenceEPICS Ramayana – Hindu Epic of about verses including hero story of Rama Ramayana – Hindu Epic of about verses including hero story of Rama Mahabharata and Bhagavad Gita Mahabharata and Bhagavad Gita Legal Codes Laws of Manu Laws of Manu

Hindu Beliefs & Deities Categorizing the religion of Hinduism is somewhat confusing: POLYTHEISTIC= worships multiple deities: gods and goddesses POLYTHEISTIC= worships multiple deities: gods and goddesses MONOTHEISTIC = it recognizes only one supreme God: the panentheistic principle of Brahman, that all reality is a unity. The entire universe is seen as one divine entity who is simultaneously at one with the universe and who transcends it as well MONOTHEISTIC = it recognizes only one supreme God: the panentheistic principle of Brahman, that all reality is a unity. The entire universe is seen as one divine entity who is simultaneously at one with the universe and who transcends it as well TRINITARIAN= Brahman is simultaneously visualized as a triad -- one God with three persons: Brahma (the Creator) Vishnu (the Preserver, Shiva (the Destroyer) TRINITARIAN= Brahman is simultaneously visualized as a triad -- one God with three persons: Brahma (the Creator) Vishnu (the Preserver, Shiva (the Destroyer) HENOTHEISTIC= recognize a single deity, and recognizes other gods and goddesses as facets, forms, manifestations, or aspects of that supreme God HENOTHEISTIC= recognize a single deity, and recognizes other gods and goddesses as facets, forms, manifestations, or aspects of that supreme God

Brahman Brahma (Saraswati) Shiva (Parvati) Vishnu (Lakshmi) Creator Destroyer Preserver -is the supreme being -entity without form or quality -soul of universe -divine, invisible, unlimited

Son of Shiva and Parvati Son of Shiva and Parvati Human body and an elephant’s head with only one short tusk Human body and an elephant’s head with only one short tusk Worshipped as the remover of all obstacles Worshipped as the remover of all obstacles Milk Miracle – Sept. 25, 1995 Milk Miracle – Sept. 25, 1995

 The ultimate aim of all Hindu thoughts is to attain the universal soul or divine wisdom called Brahman  Hindu’s believe in the freedom to individually worship and guide own spiritual experience.  The goals of Hinduism consist of personal conduct and righteous living which equals to dharma  Goal to achieve moksha, (liberation) from endless cycle of rebirths called Samsara and reunite atman with Brahman

MAYA= all forms of existence are temporary and illusionary MAYA= all forms of existence are temporary and illusionary SAMSARA = endless cycle of reincarnation SAMSARA = endless cycle of reincarnation KARMA = Basic belief of cause and effect (all actions have a consequence) KARMA = Basic belief of cause and effect (all actions have a consequence) DHARMA =personal conduct and righteous living DHARMA =personal conduct and righteous living MOKSHA= the liberation from samsara and the uniting of ATMAN (human soul) with Brahman (ultimate soul) MOKSHA= the liberation from samsara and the uniting of ATMAN (human soul) with Brahman (ultimate soul)

– ॐ । असतो मा सद्गमय । तमसो मा ज्योतिर्गमय । मृत्योर्मामृतं गमय ।। –OM Asato mā sadgamaya, tamaso mā jyotirgamaya, mrityormāmritam gamaya –"OM (Lead me) from falsehood to truth, from darkness to light, from death to immortality." Aum (also Om, ॐ ) is the most sacred syllable in Hinduism and Vedas Aum (also Om, ॐ ) is the most sacred syllable in Hinduism and Vedas Used in meditation and prayer as sound gives supernatural power Used in meditation and prayer as sound gives supernatural power Represents the original sound of creation Represents the original sound of creation To chant “om” will steady and elevate the mind To chant “om” will steady and elevate the mind

Good luck symbol representing “well being” Good luck symbol representing “well being” Usually illustrated in red Usually illustrated in red Used on wedding invitations, drawings Used on wedding invitations, drawings Used in rituals to bring good luck and protect against evil Used in rituals to bring good luck and protect against evil

4 Paths to Salvation 4 Paths to Salvation 4 Stages of Life 4 Stages of Life 4 Goals of Life 4 Goals of Life Caste System Caste System Puja Puja Upanayana Upanayana Vegetarianism “holy cow” Vegetarianism “holy cow” Arranged Marriages Arranged Marriages Diwali – Festival of Lights Diwali – Festival of Lights Ahimsa – non-violence Ahimsa – non-violence Yoga – philosophy and exercise together – very spiritual Yoga – philosophy and exercise together – very spiritual

Best known Hindu in world Best known Hindu in world Fought to end discrimination against Indians in South Africa Fought to end discrimination against Indians in South Africa Tolerant of all religions Tolerant of all religions Religious ideals on duty, truth, non-violence (ahimsa) and spiritual liberation (moksha) Religious ideals on duty, truth, non-violence (ahimsa) and spiritual liberation (moksha) Negotiated independence of India in 1947 Negotiated independence of India in 1947 Opposed social injustice of Hindu society (ie. untouchables) Opposed social injustice of Hindu society (ie. untouchables) Assassinated in 1948 Assassinated in 1948

Works Cited Stevens, Anthony (2001), Ariadne's Clue: A Guide to the Symbols of Humankind, Princeton University Press Stevens, Anthony (2001), Ariadne's Clue: A Guide to the Symbols of Humankind, Princeton University Press The "oldest living major religion" in the world (Merriam-Webster 2000, p. 751; Klostermaier 2007, p. 1) The "oldest living major religion" in the world (Merriam-Webster 2000, p. 751; Klostermaier 2007, p. 1)