HINDUISM

HINDUISM World’s oldest religion ”Santana Dharma” – Eternal Religion 3000 BC Indus Valley 1000 BC – “Aryans” (nobles from Europe and Asia) migrated to India and culturally diffused with Indians 3rd largest religion +/- 900 million followers “All Roads lead to God” AUM – holy sign (represents god) Goal  recognize/reunite your soul (Atman) with god

SACRED BOOKS 1)VEDAS ancient scriptures provide knowledge into the divine provides info into early Aryan civilization emphasizes sacrifice can be difficult for most people to understand 2)Upanishads (“sitting down beside”) fundamental teachings of Hinduism introduces concepts of Karma, Samsara, Moksha, Atman, Brahman, Yogas, and Meditation emphasizes meditation

SACRED BOOKS 3)MAHABARHATA longest epic poem details a “family war” that probably happened illustrates how “good” Hindus should live illustrates that choosing God over individual strengths and temptations is right decision 4)BHAGAVAD GITA (“Song of God”) part of Mahabarhata discussion between Arjuna (warrior) and Krishna (god) about war Krishna (8th avatar of Vishnu) 2 reasons to fight: 1)it is your Dharma to fight 2)good must defeat evil

excerpt from the Chandogya Upanishad on the “presence of Brahman” Source: Philip Novak, The World’s Wisdom: Sacred Texts of the World’s Religions. San Francisco: Harper, 1994. pp. 21-23.

SALTWATER TEST Trying to relay idea that god is present, but not seen Father says to his son, place this salt in a glass of water and come to me tomorrow morning.” His son did as he was commanded and in the morning his father said to him: “Bring me the salt you put into the water last night.” His son looked into the water, but could not find it, for it had dissolved. His father then said, “Taste the water from this side. How is it?”

“It is salt.” “Taste it from the middle. How is it?” Taste it from that side. How is it?” “Look for the salt and come again to me.”

The son did so, saying: “I cannot see the salt. I only see water.” His father then said: “In the same way, O my son, you cannot see the Spirit, but in truth he is here. An invisible but subtle essence is the Spirit of the whole universe. That is Reality. That is Truth. THOU ART THAT.”

SACRED BOOKS 1)Brahmins – priests (EYES) 5) LAW OF MANU – code of behavior created “Caste System” “All men are created UNEQUAL” Unless “unequals” are separated, the weak must compete against the strong and stand no chance of being successful 1)Brahmins – priests (EYES) 2)Kshatriyas – chiefs / warriors (HEAD) 3)Vaishyas – commoners / merchants (ARMS) 4)Shudras – unskilled workers (LEGS) 5)(Dalits) UNTOUCHABLES TODAY CASTE SYSTEM IS ILLEGAL IN HINDUISM, BUT IS STILL PRESENT IN HINDU CULTURE

HINDU BELIEFS Reincarnation – soul (Atman) is reborn based on your Karma and Dharma Samsara – continuous rebirths until achieve Moksha Atman – inner soul that is god Moksha – when soul re-unites with god, no longer in cycle of reincarnation After death, the soul goes to the next world, bearing in mind the subtle impressions of its deeds, and after reaping their harvest returns again to this world of action. Thus, he who has desires continues subject to rebirth. Yajur Veda, Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 4.4.6

THESE CONCEPTS DETERMINE YOUR POSITION IN YOUR NEXT LIFE HINDU BELIEFS A person’s personal “Karma” is also affected by ”Group Karma” – karma created by a group/country/etc… DHARMA – your job/duty KARMA – Reap what you sow According as one acts, so does he become. One becomes virtuous by virtuous action, bad by bad action. Yajur Veda, Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 4.4.5 THESE CONCEPTS DETERMINE YOUR POSITION IN YOUR NEXT LIFE

HINDU BELIEFS Ahimsa – non-violence NO Satan a)God cannot have a rival / there is no place God isn’t b)”Avidya” (Ignorance) is root of evil c)”Maya” (Illusion) leads to Avidya Sets you back in next life – longer to reach Moksha Ahimsa – non-violence Pottu – 3rd Eye – spiritual awakening

things everyone should do Ten Commitments YAMAS things no one should do Ahimsa – no harm Satya – no lies Asteya – no stealing Brahmacharya – no overindulging Aparigraha – no greed NIYAMAS things everyone should do Saucha – keep clean Santosha – be content Tapas – self-discipline Svadhyaya – study wisdom of Hinduism Ishvara Pranidhana – surrender to God

4 PATHS TO MOKSHA PEOPLE ARE DIFFERENT 1)Karma Yoga – path of work Do daily life duties (dharma) without hope of reward – dedicate acts to god Do our best because that is the work God has put in front of us –> FORM OF WORSHIP 2)Jnana Yoga – path of knowledge Spiritual knowledge Study and learn lessons of the masters

4 PATHS TO MOKSHA 3)Raja Yoga – meditation Concentrate so you can reach the “self” within you and become one with Brahman 4)Bhakti Yoga – path of love Devoted to loving a god If you truly love Me, you’ll love everyone Surrender to God – “hang out with God”