Hinduism

Some Facts…. World’s Oldest Religion 3 rd largest religion after Christianity and Islam Influenced Buddhism 837 million followers Dominant in India 1.1 million Hindus in U.S.

Origins… Began in 3000 B.C. Indus Valley In 1000 B.C. Aryans moved to the area and mixed with natives…very diverse people No single founder

Hindu Gods… Monotheistic Religion or Polytheistic? 1 God in many forms or 3,333,000 Gods? Believe in the universal soul or God (Brahman), who is present in all things. Brahman has no form, and is eternal. Brahman is creator, preserver and transformer of everything. Brahman appears in the human spirit as Atman, or the soul. The other gods are different aspects of the Brahman. Goal is to get closer to Brahman

Three principal gods: 1) Brahma: creates the universe 2) Vishnu: preserves the universe 3) Shiva: destroys the universe.

Puja- house warming ceremony with Vishnu

Ancient Scripture: The Vedas Means “knowledge” Written around 1500 BCE to educate the priests about rituals

Ancient Scripture: The Bhagavad Gita "Song of the Blessed Lord“ knowledge, work and devotion are all paths to salvation and that the central value in life is that of loyalty to God (dharma or duty) Setting: Battlefield Arjuna does not want to fight, but it is his duty

Caste System… Division of social ranks and tasks developed by Aryans during conquest 1) The priests (or Brahmins) 2) The warriors, nobles (the Kshatriyas). 3) The merchants, artisans (Vaisya) 4) Unskilled workers, peasants (Sudra) 5) Untouchables Each group has a different set of rules dealing with careers, marriage, diet, etc.

Karma… Relations among past deeds, present character, and future fate All actions have unavoidable consequences Reincarnation The next incarnation is always dependent on how the previous life was lived Samsara: wheel of birth and rebirth Continues forever Souls reborn until they reach perfection Moksha: the release of the soul from samsara dharma: duty is more important than self

Religious Paths for Moksha… Karma Yoga: path of work -Doing caste duties without hope for reward -Selfless duties Jnana Yoga: path of knowledge -Study and learn the lessons of the ancient masters Raja yoga: path of physical & mental discipline -Training the body so the soul can be free -Requires celibacy Bhakti Yoga: path of love -Devoted love to God -Man is dependent on God, surrendering to Him is easiest way of release

Meditation

"The goal which all the Vedas declare, which all austerities aim at, and which men desire when they lead the life of continence … is Om. This syllable Om is indeed Brahman. Whosoever knows this syllable obtains all that he desires. This is the best support; this is the highest support. Whosoever knows this support is adored in the world of Brahma." ~ Katha Upanishad I

"Om is the one eternal syllable of which all that exists is but the development. The past, the present, and the future are all included in this one sound, and all that exists beyond the three forms of time is also implied in it". - Mandukya Upanishad

So what is Om?