Lecture 7: Modern Hindusim

Hindu Practices Rituals (Puja) Darsan; Visual contact with the divine Prasad; Food blessed by being offered to a deity and then eaten Castes The Hindu castes originate in the Vedic age and divides men into four hereditary occupational groups 1.Brahmins (priests and teachers) 2.Kshatriyas (warriors and rulers) 3.Vaishyas (Farmers, merchants, artisans) 4.Shudras (Laborers) x.The untouchables (those outside the system) Life Stages Brahmin males traditionally went through four stages: a) Student; b) householder; c) meditation/study; d) renunciation (Sannyasin) Sannyasins join monastic orders and live in retreats known as Ashram

Hindu Practices Duties and Goals There are four goals that define a good life 1.Dharma 2.Artha (Success in worldly activities) 3.Kama (love) 4.Moksha (Liberation from Samsare) Gurus Fasting and Praying Reverence of trees and rivers Pilgrimages Festivals

MODERN HINDUISM INSIDE INDIA

Diwali; The festival of lights Diwali marks the beginning of the Vernal equinox (the same moment when creation in each world era begins anew) Diwali is dedicated to Lakshmi; the Goddess of Wealth Families wear new clothes, sweep their house, arrange a special altar with a puja laid out for the Goddess, and set out lamps (below) to guide her

Political advances The Indian Supreme Court’s definition of Hinduism 1.Acceptance and reverence for the Vedas as the foundation of Hindu philosophy 2.A spirit of tolerance and willingness to understand and appreciate others’ points of view, recognizing that truth has many sides 3.Acceptance of the belief that vast cosmic periods of creation, maintenance, and dissolution continuously recur 4.Acceptance of belief in reincarnation 5.Recognition that paths to truth and salvation are many 6.Recognition that there may be numerous gods and goddesses to worship, without necessarily believing in worship through idols 7.Unlike other religions, absence of belief in a specific set of philosophical concepts

Political advances The Indian government has also: o Outlawed the traditional Caste system However, though the Caste system has been officially outlawed, elements are still very prevalent and embedded in Indian culture. For example, in 1990 Brahmins held 70% of Indian civil service positions and represent only 3% of the Indian population. (Esposito, et al p.347) o Guaranteed women equal rights and freedom from discrimination Women have since gone on to hold significant political and public positions But, women still continue suffer from discrimination and inequality.

Hindu Political Movements Rashtriya Svayamsevak Sangh (RSS) o The RSS aim to renew Hindu traditions and seek to establish India as a Hindu nation o They are hostile to ‘outside’ religions such as Christianity and Islam Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) o The BJP is affiliated with the RSS o They, too, seek to restore Hinduism to India’s national religion and resist contemporary secular advancements o The BJP has been more successful than the RSS in gaining political advances o Like the RSS, the BJP is nationalistic and hostile to Christian and Islamic influences in India. o The BJP were the dominant political power in India between 1998 to 2004

Hindu Political Movements Hindu modernizers and reformers o Ramakrishna and the Ramakrishna mission Ramakrishna attempted to reform Hinduism and revive its practices. His emphasis was on the plurality and variety of mystical experiences one could take to experience the truth. o Gandhi Gandhi fought against the Hindu caste system, attempted to give women a greater role in Indian society and was opposed to orthodox and fundamentalist traditions in Hinduism. Gandhi was a Pluralist and believed that freedom of expression was fundamental to Indian identity

HINDUISM OUTSIDE OF INDIA

Hinduism around the world The Vedanta Society o The Vedanta society is primarily based outside of India o It was originally formed by Swami Vivekananda and has many centers throughout the world where one can study, meditate and practice the Vedanta philosophy. ISKCON (The International Society for Krishna Consciousness) o Also known as the Hare Krishna movement o It was founded in New York by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada o Practitioners wear orange clothing and chant and sing in public to spread the word of Krishna