Hinduism Philosophical and metaphysical origins Major philosophical systems Religious foundations and theistic paths The Hindu way of life Hinduism in the modern world

Introduction Some scholars claim there is no central tradition that can be identified as Hinduism The term Hinduism did not become common until the 19th century A range of practices that vary according to region, caste, gender, and education The philosophic Brahmanic tradition often referred to as Hinduism is but one aspect of a larger tradition

Philosophical and Metaphysical Origins Brahmanic tradition traces back to the Vedic age, thousands of years ago The Indus Valley Civilization The history and precise dating of this period is controversial The Vedas Foundation of upper-caste Brahmanic Hinduism Revered collection of ancient sacred hymns The Rig Veda is the first & oldest of 4 collections

Major Philosophical Systems Share Roots in the vedas Direct personal experience of truth thru meditation Ethics as necessary to orderly social life (related to karma) Suffering is due to ignorance of the eternal self

Major Philosophical Systems (continued) Samkhya: Two states of reality Purusha, the Self Prakriti, the cause of the material universe Advaita Vedanta Monistic Based on the Upanishads Yoga: raja, jnana, karma, bhakti Union with the true Self

Religious Foundations and Theistic Paths Three major groupings of deities worshipped by Hindus Shaktas: worship a Mother Goddess Shaivites: worship the god Shiva Vaishnavites: worship the god Vishnu

Yogi meditating in the Himalaya Mountains near the home of Shiva at the source of the Ganges River.

The Epics and Puranas Illustrate trend toward personal love for a deity Two major epics Ramayana Mahabharata (includes the Bhagavad-Gita The Puranas Poetic Sanskrit texts that narrate the myths of ancient times

The Hindu Way of Life Ritual: central to Hinduism Castes, duties, and life goals 4 occupational groups: Brahmins, Kshatriayas, Vaishyas, Shudras Untouchables lay outside the system 4 major goals for a good life: dharma, artha, kama, moksha

The Hindu Way of Life (continued) Life stages: student, householder, meditation/study, renunciation The guru: spiritual leader Women’s duties: dharma, marital wealth, sensual pleasure Fasts, prayers, and auspicious designs: determined by a complex lunar or solar calendar

The 2001 Kumbha Mela was the largest ever gathering of people.

Hinduism in the Modern World Hinduism has been influenced by contact with Buddhism, Jainism, and later Islam, and Christianity Modern movements: currently being challenged by social reform movements Global Hinduism: Has spread through immigration and conversion

Hinduism in the Modern World (continued) Hindu identity Some link Hinduism with nationalism India’s constitution enshrines secularism According to the Indian Supreme Court, to be Hindu means [next slide]

Hindu Identity (continued) Acceptance and reverence for the Vedas as the foundation of Hindu philosophy; A spirit of tolerance, and willingness to understand and appreciate others’ points of view, recognizing that truth has many sides; Acceptance of the belief that vast cosmic periods of creation, maintenance, and dissolution continuously recur; Acceptance of belief in reincarnation; Recognition that paths to salvation and truth are many; Recognition that there may be numerous gods and goddesses to worship, without necessarily believing in worship through idols; Unlike other religions, absence of belief in a specific set of philosophic concepts.