What is the function of religion? What does it do for the people who believe? Day 1

Day 2

Basic Principle (Philosophy) – General Statement Founder Sacred Texts Ultimate Goal How do followers need to live their lives to reach the ultimate goal? What do they believe in to help them get there? How does the faith/philosophy affect the daily lives of followers and their societies?

What is Hinduism? A philosophy and a way of life – focused both on this world and beyond Emphasis on individuals carrying out their obligations/duties Day 2 One of the oldest religions of humanity The religion of the Indian people Gave birth to Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism Tolerance and diversity: "Truth is one, paths are many" Many deities but a single, impersonal Ultimate Reality

How did Hinduism begin? No particular founder Indus River Valley Civilization Day 2 Indus River Valley Civilization >5000 years ago Aryans enter 4000 - 3500 years ago Vedic Tradition 3500 – 2500 years ago: rituals and many gods (polytheism) sacred texts (Vedas) social stratification (caste system) Upanishads (metaphysical philosophy) 2800 – 2400 years ago Vedic Tradition develops into Hinduism

What are the Sacred Texts? Shruti (“heard”) – oldest, most authoritative: Upanishads - metaphysical speculation Plus others Smriti (“remembered”) – the Great Indian Epics: Ramayana Mahabharata (includes Bhagavad-Gita) Day 2

What do Hindus believe? Ultimate goal of life (Moksha) True essence of life – Atman Reincarnation (Samsara) Karma – spiritual impurity due to actions keeps us bound to this world (good and bad) Day 2 – to release Atman and reunite with the divine, becoming one with Brahman One impersonal Ultimate Reality – Brahman Manifest as many personal deities Atman, the soul, is Brahman trapped in matter (“That art thou”); person’s essential self – atman is continually born into this world lifetime after lifetime

How does Hinduism direct life in this world? Respect for all life – vegetarian; non-violent Human life as supreme Caste system – ensured spiritual purity & orderly society The Four Yogas Day 2 All living creature are part of the divine essence – all participate in it - seeking union with the divine: Karma Yoga Jnana Yoga Raja Yoga Bhakti Yoga

Symbolism in Hinduism Day 2

Who do Hindus worship? – the major gods of the Hindu Pantheon Brahma, the creator god Day 2

Who do Hindus worship? – the major gods of the Hindu Pantheon Vishnu, the preserver god Day 2 Incarnates as ten avatars (descents) including: Rama (featured in the Ramayana) Krishna (featured in the Mahabharata) (Each shown with his consort, Sita and Radha, respectively)

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… Day 2 and with his wife, Parvati, and son Ganesha (the elephant headed remover of obstacles)

What about the goddesses? Devi – the feminine divine Saraswati, goddess of wisdom, consort of Brahma Day 2

What about the goddesses? Devi – the feminine divine Lakshmi, goddess of good fortune, consort of Vishnu Day 2

What about the goddesses? Devi – the feminine divine Parvati, divine mother, wife of Shiva Day 2

What about the goddesses? Devi – the feminine divine Durga, protectress Day 2 Kali, destroyer of demons Plus about 330 million other deities

All these deities are but Manifest forms (attributes/functions) of the impersonal Brahman Day 2

And we too are manifest forms of God! “We are not human beings having spiritual experiences; We are spiritual beings having a human experience!” Day 2 “That art Thou” Hinduism is about recognizing the all pervasiveness of the divine