1. Hinduism

2. What is the relationship between god and man? –The essence in all living things is Brahman –All a manifestation of Brahman Ahimsa nonviolence –Throughout everything –He is in all things –Created Gods to aid people –God=man –Release from reincarnation become one

3. Hinduism What is the purpose or goal of religion? –End cycle of reincarnation –Reach Brahman –Moksha = release form reincarnation –Time on earth you suffer –Release is ultimate bliss –Tolerant of other religions –“many paths, yet only one truth”

4. Hinduism How does one reach this goal? –When you die your atman (soul) goes on Inner spark Source of all actions Not responsible for quality of the actions “worn out garments are shed by the body. Worn out bodies are shed by the dweller” Vedas –Life is determined by your Karma (duty) –Affects where your being born next –Present life determined by past life –“Do your dharma have good karma” Follow caste/faithful to self and family Do your “Duty”

5. Hinduism The “Holy Trinity” –Brahma Creator –4 faces “four corners of the earth –Holds sacrificial ladle, four Vedas, jar of holy water from Ganges, necklace of prayer beads, sits upon a lotus

6. Hinduism Vishnu –Preserver –Role is to maintain balance between good and evil –10 incarnations of Vishnu Rama Krishna Kalki – yet to come / white horse / flaming sword / things get “fixed” –Holds 4 weapons Conch, disc, club, lotus also bow (Sarnga) and sword (Nandaka)

7. Hinduism Shiva –Destroyer –Most popular form “lord of the dance” –Dances in a halo of fire = cycle of death and birth –Crushes the dwarf = demon of ignorance –Drum = hold the rhythm –Flame of destruction –Around arms and neck snakes = power over evil forces

8. Sacred Texts Vedas –Contain hymns, incantations, rituals –Rig Veda Most popular/oldest around 1500 BC Tells of 33 Gods Tells of Brahma, Vishnu, and Siva Goddesses Lakshmi, Sarasvati and Kali –Yajur Veda –Sama Veda –Atharva Veda अग्निमीळे पुरोहितं यज्ञस्य देवं रत्वीजम | होतारं रत्नधातमम || अग्निः पूर्वेभिर्र्षिभिरीड्यो नूतनैरुत | स देवानेह वक्षति || अग्निना रयिमश्नवत पोषमेव दिवे - दिवे | यशसं वीरवत्तमम || अग्ने यं यज्ञमध्वरं विश्वतः परिभूरसि | स इद्देवेषु गछति || अग्निर्होता कविक्रतुः सत्यश्चित्रश्रवस्तमः | देवो देवेभिरा गमत || यदङग दाशुषे तवमग्ने भद्रं करिष्यसि | तवेत तत सत्यमङगिरः || उप तवाग्ने दिवे - दिवे दोषावस्तर्धिया वयम | नमो भरन्त एमसि || राजन्तमध्वराणां गोपां रतस्य दीदिविम | वर्धमानंस्वे दमे || स नः पितेव सूनवे. अग्ने सूपायनो भव | सचस्वा नः सवस्तये || Hymn written in Sanskrit in Rig Veda

9. Sacred Texts a continuation of the Vedic philosophy (800 – 400 BC) Upanishads –Adds more ideas Atman (soul) Uniting with the ultimate truth (Brahman) meditation –To leave body and mind –To be put in contact with “God” Karma – the effects of a person’s actions

10. Epic Poems Mahabharata and Ramayana –the longest poems in any language –The Mahabharata (540 to 300 B.C.) tells the legends of the Bharatas - a Vedic Aryan group War between Kauravas and Pandavas Causes that lead to the war –Over land/Kingdom –Panavas were exiled for 13 yrs –the Bhagavad Gita –most famous –in Book Six of the Mahabharata –dialog between the god Krishna and the warrior Arjuna

11. The Ramayana (1 st C. AD) love story with moral and spiritual theme The perfect boy and girl (Rama and Sita)

12. Ganesha Name means “Lord of all beings” First son of Lord Siva Removes all obstacles, overcome all challenges of life Has a human for with an elephant’s head All symbolize state of perfection –large ear = listen more –Axe = cut off all bonds of attachment –Hand blessing = protection of spiritual path of ultimate awareness –Large stomach = able to digest all good and bad in life –Food = whole world is at your feet, yet indifference towards them –Rope = pull you nearer to the higher goal away from your worldly entanglements –One tusk = retain good through away bad –Trunk = high efficiency –Rice balls = rewards of Sadhana –Rat = desire, greedy little animal

14. The Caste System

15. Background Caste system – social group within India (Hindu only) Endo-European people (Aryans – nobles) crossed into India Left little archaeological records What is knows is from the Vedas Called the natives Dasas (dark) Very different than the Aryans

16. DasasAryans Town dwellers Dark skin Shorter than Aryans Worshiped life-giving principles Pastroal people Lighter skin taller Cows determined wealth Made sacrifices to nature Gods Class determined role in society

17. A first mixed freely Aryans wanted to maintain own separate identity and power Skin color distinguishing feature of separating into Varnas Portugal encountered social system called it Kasts (castes) With in each caste many sub castes

18. Brahmins Emerged from the mouth of Purusa Dharma- to teach the people, perform religious ceremonies, preserve scripture

19. Kshatriyas Emerged from the arms of Purusa Warriors and rulers Dharma – to protect the people, weak, helpless, relieve suffering, punish wrong doers Lord Sri Rama (center) with wife Sita, brother-- Lakshmana and devotee Hanuman. Rama and Lakshmana are always shown to be ready for battle (with bow and arrow) as it is their Kshatriya dharma to fight.SitaLakshmana Hanumandharma

20. Vaishyas Emerged from the legs of Purusa Farmers, peasants, traders, landowners Dharma – to provide for the people, work for the joy of the job, spirit of service not for selfish gains

21. Sudras Emerged from the feet of Purusa Laborers, servants, craftsmen Dharma – to serve the people, do the work

22. Untouchables “Harijans” Most impure because of their work Butches, gravediggers, collectors of trash Their touch could endangered the purity of others

23. Restrictions Eat Marriage Work Livelihood