Hinduism World Religions Chapter 3

Many Rivers to One Ocean Holy man Shri Ramakrishna Emphasizes harmony and tolerance Tolerance of other faiths

Hinduism Beginnings date back to 2000 BCE No specific origin, rather consider the origin of tradition Origins linked to India Over 10,000,000 followers worldwide Most Sacred Text: Rig Veda

Hinduism 20 th Century famous Hindu Mahatma Gandhi Revered Christianity Sermon on the Mount one of his favorite religious texts

Worldly Realms and Divine Beyond Hinduism has a much different perspective of reality Universe, human beings, and the divine

Liberation: Returning to the Sacred Source Salvation through liberation is the ultimate goal Might not occur in one lifetime Hindu belief in reincarnation Hindu term for liberation- moksha Release from ordinary, finite limited realm Moshka means “release” in Sanskirt

The Divine: One Ultimate Reality, Many Masks Hinduism perceives nature of the divine differently than Christianity Believe that all reality is essentially one thing- monism God Universe Human beings

Monism: All is Brahman Monism is a doctrine Westerners: God is held to be both creator of world, but above and independent of it Analogy of Monism: Rivers, lakes, droplets of rain share same essence Monists- all forms of reality share a common essence Brahman

Brahman is ground of existence and the source of the universe Only discoverable through profound contemplation True nature not revealed on the surface of things Impersonal Described in ancient texts (Upanishads) as neti, neti Not this, not that Brahman is beyond the reach of human perception and thought Pure spirit

Upanishads Teach that ultimate reality can be understood through inward contemplation of the self Ultimate reality within Atman The eternal Self Fundamental discovery of the Upanishads Brahman and Atman are one in the same Brahman is Atman; all reality is one

Polytheism The divine is thought ultimately to be one essence Yet believe in many gods and goddesses 330 million traditionally Regards gods and goddesses as extensions of one ultimate reality Humans need accessible points of contact for the divine Each has personal characteristics

Hindu Cosmology Cosmology: an explanation regarding the nature of the universe Hindu: Before considering what the universe is, must look at why the universe is

Cycles of Creation Time and creation and ongoing axles Universe goes through long periods of creation and destruction- repeats endlessly Evolves over and over again

Reincarnation Each individual is created and recreated until reaching moksha Doctrine (samsara) “wheel of rebirth” Individual recreated from one life form to another Most aspects of a personality not through to be transmitted Individuals cannot remember past lives

Reincarnation Occurs on all levels of existence and other worlds Human, animal and some plants as well gods, goddesses, titans and ghosts Wheels will continue until moksha is achieved Death a defeat?

Law and Order: Divine Principles in the World Karma and dharma connect the divine world Principles form the crucial link between realm of samsara and divine source By providing a basis for a moral life in this world, karma and dharma penetrate the earthly spiritual significance

Karma Functions hand in hand with samsara Determines the nature of reincarnation Literal interpretation means “action” or “deeds” Best understood as moral law- cause and effect Every action produces an outcome that is justified by the action’s moral worthiness Permeates realm of samsara Karma secures a high degree of justice

Dharma Ethical duty based on the divine order of reality Hinduism’s closest equivalent to our term of religion Complete rule of life Hindus look to four sources when seeking guidance about dharma: Divine revelation Sacred tradition Practices and examples of those wisest in society Conscience Strive to fulfill desires, limited by dharma Much in common with Christian unconditional love

Hindu Society Dharma is connected to social order Determines gender, caste, stage of life Women- obedience towards men

Caste System Division of society Brahmin Kshatriya Vaishya Shudra

Caste System Caste system origins came from differences in skin color Aryan Invasion 2000 BC Control on gender: Men- occupation Women- who they can marry Outcasts Includes “untouchables” Based on heredity Karma justifies the caste system

Four Stages of Life Four stages of life, each with specific duties Student Householder Forrest Dweller Sannyasin

Four Goals of Life Liberation from samsara is spiritual perfection Moksha is the ultimate goal of life Kama Artha Harmony with Dharma Bliss of Moksha

Three Paths to Liberation Three great paths to moksha For the Active: Karma Marga For the Philosophical: Jnana Marga Vedanta Sankhya Yoga For the Emotional: Bhakti Marga

Yoga Types of Yoga

Gods and Goddesses Deities form the heart of Hindu’s mythical dimension 330 million gods and goddesses Important triad: Brahma the creator Vishnu the preserver Shiva the destroyer

Avatars Incarnation or living embodiment of a deity, generally Vishnu, who is sent to earth to fulfill a divine purpose Relationship between the avatar and the deity is illuminated in the Bhagavad-Gita

Bhagavad-Gita Acknowledges the path of works and path of knowledge Tends to favor the path to devotion 700 verse scripture

Daily Devotion Households Village Holy places Cow veneration

Modern Hinduism Contemporary Issues Caste System Women Hindus and Muslims Modern Hindu in India