Exploring the Religions of Our World Chapter 5: Hinduism

Chapter 5, Introduction a

Chapter 5, Introduction cont. 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 , which is why Hinduism is often called a lifestyle rather than a religion

Chapter 5, Introduction cont. Periods of Hindu History

Chapter 5, Section 1: A Brief History of Hinduism

Chapter 5, Section 1: A Brief History of Hinduism cont.

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Chapter 5, Section 1: A Brief History of Hinduism cont. Major developments of: The Indus Valley Period (3000-1500 BCE) Emphasis on ritual purity Focus on fertility and regeneration The practice of meditation Emphasis on peacefulness Contributed the Vedas of divine knowledge

Chapter 5, Section 1: A Brief History of Hinduism cont. Major developments of: The Brahminical Period (1500-300 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, Section 1: A Brief History of Hinduism cont. Major developments of: The Classical Period (300-1200 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, Section 1: A Brief History of Hinduism cont. Jainism: Founded by Mahavira in the sixth century BCE Contains elements of Hinduism and Buddhism Practice non-violence or non-injury Vegan, commitment to not harm any living thing

Chapter 5, Section 1 Review Questions What was the Aryan influence on the origins of Hinduism? Who were Brahmins & what was their main function? What makes up the shruti? Describe Jainism. Why are the years 300 to 1200 CE known as the Classical Period of Hinduism? What happened when the Muslims came to India? What are some of the beliefs major Hindu figures of the nineteenth & twentieth centuries advocated? Describe one movement of Hinduism that contributed to its expansion outside of India.

Chapter 5, Section 2: Sacred Stories & Scriptures Shruti—more sacred; revealed by gods to ancient seers; don’t change; “that which is to be heard” Smriti—“that which is to be remembered”; less authoritative; passed orally; more popular Shruti Scriptures Vedas—earliest; Aryan era; hymns; fire sacrifice; 4; exclusive; priests; memory Rig Veda—oldest; most sacred; 1,000 hymns & mantras; Sanskrit; 1300 BCE Soma Veda—900 BCE; sacrificial hymns Yajur Veda—prose; priestly sacrificial instruction Atharva Veda—700 BCE; domestic hymns; healing for sacrificial mistakes Upanishads—personal action & cycle of rebirth; liberation; relationship between Brahman (Ultimate Reality) & atman (soul); “to sit down beside”; guru to student Svetaketu—father instruction; being & soul not seen, heard, thought; salt water; Chandogya Upanishad

Chapter 5, Section 2: Sacred Stories & Scriptures cont. Smriti Scriptures Mahabharata—Hindu epic; 200k verses; family war over inheritance; Krishna; avatar of Vishnu; 9 avatars & 10th end of world; supports family Bhagavad Gita—contained in; most popular; brother Arjuna; fight as warrior caste or non-violence; debate with charioteer Krishna; disinterested love in personal duties Ramayana—2nd greatest Hindu epic; Prince Rama; exiled with wife & brother; Ravana kidnaps wife; Rama rescues & becomes king Puranas—stories about 3 Hindu gods Brahma, Vishnu, & Shiva; creation; world’s history; popular with lower castes; miracles & personal devotion Knowledge of the Heart Svetaketu—12 years of studying; head knowledge but not heart; nyagrodha tree; fruit, seed, nothing; essence of all creation is nothingness & flow

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Chapter 5, Section 2: Sacred Stories & Scriptures cont. 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

Chapter 5, Section 2: Sacred Stories & Scriptures cont. Shruti Scriptures – also… The Upanishads The Upanishads Concerned with the cycle of rebirth The mystical relationship between Brahman (Ultimate Reality of all living things) and atman (soul) Often shared in a dialogue between guru and student

Chapter 5, Section 2 Review Questions What are shruti scriptures? What are smriti scriptures? What is the dilemma of Arjuna in the Bhagavad Gita? What are the Puranas?

Chapter 5, Section 3: Beliefs & Practices

Chapter 5, Section 3: Beliefs & Practices cont.

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Chapter 5, Section 3: Beliefs & Practices cont. Most Hindus hold these beliefs in common, though they are not “doctrines”: The caste system The cycle of rebirth The sacredness of life Millions of gods and goddesses The four stages of life

Chapter 5, Section 3: Beliefs & Practices cont. Brahman = one Ultimate Reality or Absolute Reality which: Is manifested in gods and goddesses Cannot be grasped by the five senses Includes every- thing material and immaterial Is transcendent Is the “life- Force” of the universe Has no attributes

Chapter 5, Section 3: Beliefs & Practices cont. 3 primary forms of Brahman 1. Brahma is the Creator god 2. Vishnu is the Preserving god 3. Shiva is the Destroying god An avatar is the incarnation of personification of a god or goddess e.g. Krishna and Ganesh

Chapter 5, Section 3: Beliefs & Practices cont. 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, Section 3: Beliefs & Practices cont. Samsara - the cycle of rebirth Rebirth Breaking the cycle: Knowledge Good deeds Devotion Birth Karma Death

Chapter 5, Section 3: Beliefs & Practices cont. Moksha Pursuit of liberation from the cycle of rebirth through actions, thoughts, and devotions The major pursuits of life: Artha Pursuit of both material and political wealth Dharma One’s duties in life, especially as dictated by caste Kama Pursuit of artistic, recreational, and sensual pleasure

Chapter 5, Section 3 Review Questions What is meant by Brahman? How is Brahman linked to atman? What are the three primary forms of Brahman? Describe the Hindu cycle of rebirth related to the three paths of liberation. Name & describe the four stages of life for Hindu castes; also define “untouchables”. Name & describe the four stages of life for Hindu males. What are the four life goals for a Hindu male in the first three castes?

Chapter 5, Section 4: Sacred Times

Chapter 5, Section 4: Sacred Times cont.

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Chapter 5, Section 4: Sacred Times cont. 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, Section 4 Review Questions How do Hindus compensate for the different number of days between solar & lunar calendars? What do the festivals of Diwali & Holi celebrate? How are they celebrated? Name & explain at least two of the sixteen stages of the Hindu life cycle.

Chapter 5, Section 5: Sacred Places & Spaces

Chapter 5, Section 5: Sacred Places & Spaces cont.

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Chapter 5, Section 5: Sacred Places & Spaces cont. Temples many images of gods/goddesses Home shrines many images of gods/goddesses Puja honoring the gods Ganges River symbol of life w/o end ritual bathing

Chapter 5, Section 5 Review Questions Why is everything sacred to Hindu’s? Describe a home puja and its purpose? How does a temple puja differ from a home puja? Why is the Ganges River the most sacred place for Hindus?

Chapter 5, Section 6: Hindusim Through a Catholic Lens

Chapter 5, Section 6: Hinduism through a Catholic Lens cont.

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Chapter 5, Section 6: Hinduism through a Catholic Lens cont. Similarities: Toleration of religious diversity Pursuing social issues Honoring Jesus and his teachings The tradition of depicting and venerating religious images

Chapter 5, Section 6: Hinduism through a Catholic Lens cont. Differences: Karma Reincarnation The caste system Jesus as the one and only incarnation of God

Chapter 5, Section 6 Review Questions In dialoguing about human dignity, what topic in particular do Hindus have in mind? Name at least three views of Jesus that can be found among Hindus. Name similar views Catholics and Hindus have about Jesus. List three functions of religious imagery.

Chapter 5: Conclusion a

Chapter 5: Hinduism Vocabulary Brahmins Shruti Gurus Bhakti Sanskrit Karma Caste system Mantra Hare Krishnas Avatar Brahman Transcendent Atman Maya Samsara Yoga Satyagraha Puja Iconoclasm Devas

Chapter 4 Islam – Vocabulary Definitions a – a

Chapter 5 Review Questions (Extra Credit) Section 1: a

Chapter 5 Review Questions cont. (Extra Credit) Section 2: Section 3:

Chapter 5 Review Questions cont. (Extra Credit) Section 4: a Section 5: Section 6: