Hinduism

What is Hinduism? One of the oldest religions of humanity The religion of the Indian people Tolerance and diversity: "Truth is one, paths are many" Many deities but a single, impersonal Ultimate Reality A philosophy and a way of life – focused both on this world and beyond

How did Hinduism begin? No particular founder Vedic Tradition 3500 – 2500 years ago: Beliefs passed along through oral tradition rituals and many gods (polytheism) sacred texts (Vedas) social stratification (caste system) Vedic Tradition develops into Hinduism

One force, brahman, underlies everything. Despite the complexity of the religion, all Hindus have the same goal and core beliefs. One force, brahman, underlies everything. The goal of life is to achieve moksha, or union with brahman. Every person has an atman, or essential self, and experiences reincarnation. Karma holds that our actions affect our fate in the next life. Hindus believe themselves to be Monotheistic Westerners believe them to be Polytheistic

What are the Sacred Texts? Vedas - four sets of these. 1) Rig Veda – oldest, written about 1500 B.C.E. and codified about 600 B.C.E. 2) Upanishads – mystical and metaphysical section 3) Mahabharata (includes Bhagavad-Gita) 4) Ramayana Plus others

What do Hindus believe? One impersonal Ultimate Reality – Brahman Manifest as many personal deities True essence of life – Atman, the soul, is Brahman trapped in matter Reincarnation – atman is continually born into this world lifetime after lifetime (Samsara) Karma – spiritual actions keeps us bound to this world (good and bad) Ultimate goal of life – to release Atman and reunite with the divine, becoming as one with Brahman (Moksha)

They practice ahimsa, nonviolence. What do Hindus believe? Hindus believe in dharma, the religious and moral duties of the person. They practice ahimsa, nonviolence. While there are many divine manifestations in Hinduism, these are the three most important. Shiva, the Destroyer Vishnu, the Preserver Brahma, the Creator

Who do Hindus worship? – the major gods of the Hindu Pantheon Shiva, god of constructive destruction (the transformer) Appears as Shiva Nataraj, lord of the dance of creation… and with his wife, Parvati, and son Ganesha (the elephant headed remover of obstacles)

Who do Hindus worship? – the major gods of the Hindu Pantheon Vishnu, the preserver god Incarnates as ten avatars (descents) including: Rama (featured in the Ramayana) Krishna (featured in the Mahabharata)

Who do Hindus worship? – the major gods of the Hindu Pantheon Brahma, the creator god

How do Hindus worship? Bhakti Yoga is seeking union with the divine through loving devotion to manifest deities In the home (household shrines) In the Temples (priests officiate) Puja – making offerings to and decorating the deity images Darshan – “seeing” the deity (not idol worship) Prasad – taking the divine within your own being through eating of food shared with the deity

How does Hinduism direct life in this world? Varna describes how all societies have diversity in classes. This is part of the Hindu religious teachings. Jati, is a hierarchial part of the social caste system, and there are thousands of them.

And we too are manifest forms of Brahman! “We are not human beings having spiritual experiences; We are spiritual beings having a human experience!” Hinduism is about recognizing the all-pervasiveness of the divine

Buddhism

What is Buddhism? Buddhism is a major world philosophy. It is the 4th largest “religion” of the world, and has about 300,000,000 people living by it. It explains the purpose of life, injustices and inequality around the world. It also helps people by providing a way of life that will lead to true happiness.

The History of Buddhism Started by Siddhartha Guatama (Buddha) who was a prince in Lumbini, 2500 years ago. He was very unhappy in his royal life, so he set off on a 6 year journey, exploring other religions. After his long journey and much meditation he was finally “enlightened” while meditating under a Banyan tree. He found the middle path, the key to human happiness. For the rest of his life he wandered Asia, preaching his new religion.

What Did Buddha Teach? He taught the 4 Noble truths which sum up Buddhism philosophy. He also taught the noble eight fold path The final goal for the Buddhist is nirvana, union with the universe.

What are the Four Noble Truths? The first is that life is suffering You can’t live without death, frustration, etc. The second is that suffering is caused by craving and aversion Getting what you want doesn’t guarantee happiness, it deprives you of it The third is that suffering can be overcome, and true happiness attained If we stop craving useless things, and live each day at a time (not living in the future) we will be happy and free. The fourth is that the Noble eight fold path leads to the end of all suffering

The Noble Eightfold Path It taught 8 simple rules: To have a right understanding To have right thoughts To use right speech To do right actions To deal with right livelihood To give a right effort To have a right mindfulness To use the right meditation

THE “ULTIMATE QUESTIONS” Nature of the soul Life after death Origin of the universe THESE ARE NOT ADDRESSED

Buddhism rejected the Hindu caste system, and therefore was attractive to many. Rather than focusing on priests, ritual and deities, Buddhism encouraged each person to seek self- enlightenment, thus a philosophy instead of a religion.

The Decline and Spread of Buddhism

Mahayana Buddhism Emerged between the 3rd Century B.C.E. & 1st Century C.E. – very popular Reduced obligation on Buddhists Monasteries accepted gifts that merited salvation. Gave Buddha divine status Bodhisattvas delay entry to nirvana to help others

Religions Founded in India

Janism

Jainism: The Religion Jainism is an ascetic religion of India Teaches the immortality and pilgrimage of the soul Denies the existence of a supreme being and emphasizes the art of non-violence (ahimsa).

Rock image of 24 Tirthankaras Key Figures in Jainism Left: Mahavira picture Top: Mahavira statue Right: Mahavira on LionThrone Above: Rock image of 24 Tirthankaras

Mahavira ca. 599-527 BCE Parallels Buddha’s life Family wealth vs. poverty Joined ascetics Ahimsa yields true release Ahimsa produces Jina (release from this life or conqueror over attachment, hence the name Jain)

Jainism: The Religion Response to Hinduism and rejection of castes system Believes everything in the universe possesses a soul Sweep the ground before them

Major Beliefs Everything is eternal; there is no all-powerful “God” that has created the world. When a living being dies, it is reincarnated according to karma. All living beings have souls. The 3 gems: Right Beliefs, Right Knowledge, Right Conduct Reverence for the deities Vegetarianism, or Fruitarianism.

Major Beliefs The goal of Jainism is to liberate one’s soul, to become a Jina (spiritual victor). One must escape Karma by leading an ascetic and intrinsically pure life. Never very popular because it is very hard to observe all the demands placed upon followers.