Introduction to Hinduism Alan D. DeSantis

An Introduction Hinduism is the third largest religion in the world, with approximately 900 million adherents It is also the oldest known religion in the world today The origins cannot be ascribed to any single founder or a specific time or a single place

Major texts of Hinduism The Vedas –The oldest Hindu sacred texts (in 4 parts), composed in Sanskrit In the oral tradition for hundreds of years The Bhagavad Gītā (400 BCE) –It is perhaps the most famous, and definitely the most widely-read text of ancient India.

Brahman (the big guy) There is one big God –More of a all powerful force—no personal characteristics The Vedas depict Brahman as the Universal Soul

Polytheistic? Many Hindus believe in many deities Key: The way these very interesting looking gods are portrayed are not to be taken literally The Hindu Trinity (the big 3): –Shiva –Brahma –Vishnu After this top tier, there is a virtually endless list of second-string deities

Shiva Shiva is the Destroyer Even though he represents destruction, Shiva is viewed as a positive force Shiva is the supreme God in Shaivism

Symbolism of Shiva Third Eye: Eye of wisdom. Cobra Necklace: Beyond the powers of death Matted hair: Lord of wind Sacred Ganga: Holiest of the holy rivers Drum: Source of all language and expression. Tiger skin: The tiger is the vehicle of Shakti, the goddess of power and force. Elephant & Deer Skin: Elephants represent pride. Deer represent the jumping of minds Trident: Symbolizes three functions of the triad – the creation, the sustenance and the destruction. There are many more not highlighted

Brahma Brahma is the Hindu God of Creation Brahma is traditionally depicted with four heads, faces, and arms. He is the one that is not worshiped (like the other 2)

Vishnu Vishnu is the Preserver, he is most famously identified with his human and animal incarnations (AKA, avatars) –He manifested Himself as a living being in ten avatars. They are (in order of avatar) –(Fish) –(Turtle) –(Pig/Boar) –(Lion man / from the torso upwards lion, below, human) –(First fully human form as a dwarf sage who has the ability to grow very, very tall) –(Fierce man / Hunter) –(Greatest Warrior/ Ideal man) –(Mentally advanced man) –(Sage who is completely still) –(Prophesied, yet to take place) For Vaishnavas, he is the Ultimate God. The Brahman.

Kali Kali is the kick- ass goddess of death and radical transformation –Kali wears a a necklace made from men's skulls

And let’s not forget Ganesha Ganesha is one of the most well-known and loved Gods –He is the first born son of Shiva The Lord of Good Fortune –Provides prosperity and fortune –Also the God of knowledge Used to help student’s study!

Just a few of the Christian Patron Saints & their Duties against sexual temptation against shipwrecks against slander against slavery against snakes against solitary death against sorcery against spouse abuse (physical) against spouse abuse (verbal) against starvation against starving against sterility against stiff joints against stiff neck against stomach diseases against storms against strife against sudden death against temptations against throat diseases against twitching against typhoid against typhus against ulcers against vanity

Some Ideas That Unite Hinduism 1) Reincarnation –Reincarnation is the soul's cycle of birth and death until it attains Mok ṣ ha Moke-sha is salvation and is governed by Karma (see below) 2) Karma –Karma rests on the idea of human free will (not moved by God) –One’s actions determine the course of one’s life cycle & rebirth

Some Ideas That Unite Hinduism 3) Moksha (no heaven) –When a soul finally escapes the karmic cycle, it becomes one with Brahman, an intangible energy –4) Stages of life –There are stages to “lives” that we all go through— some quicker than others

Some Ideas That Unite Hinduism 4) Devil & Hell –A) –B) –C) 5) No converting

Some Ideas That Unite Hinduism 6) The Caste System –The caste system is a painfully rigid system of class oppression –The caste system has come to be seen as a manifestation of karma –Your next lifetime is your only hope for rising through the castes –There are four hereditary castes A pariah girl in India

Some Ideas That Unite Hinduism 7) Where’s the Beef? –A large section of Hindus do not eat cow –While vegetarianism is not a requirement, it is recommended as a purifying lifestyle

Criticism Hinduism is criticized on the basis of some past and some current social customs –1) Dowry: –2) Sati: –3) Caste System: These trends are on the decline in recent times due to a growing population of large well-educated Hindu middle class. Untouchables Denied Tsunamis Aid

The End (or is it just a new beginning to be followed by another end... etc. etc. etc.)