Hindu Morality Hinduism #4

Paths to Liberation: 3 Yogas  Bhagavad Gita helps Hindus learn how to achieve the ultimate goal of moksha  In the BG, Krishna describes 3 yogas (paths or disciplines) that lead to liberation:  Knowledge  Devotion  Action

The Path of Knowledge  Stresses search for spiritual knowledge & truth  One goal: to understanding that atman & Brahman are one  Since the illusion of the world is powerful, there is a need to train one’s mind using meditation

Meditation  Concentrating & focusing the mind to control one’s thoughts  Helps go beyond the conscious self, be detached from the world of illusions to see the nature of atman  Two techniques  Mantra: repeating a word, phrase or sound  Mandala: symbolic circle diagram representing the universe or the self

Om or Aum  The most sacred & basic sound  A way of saying the name of Brahman  As AUM, represents Brahma, Vishnu & Shiva

Mandala

Path of Devotion  Worship of a particular deity  One’s identity is tied to the preferred deity, but doesn’t exclude worshipping others

Path of Good Works  AKA, karma yoga  Involves doing one’s dharma to the best of one’s ability  Dharma follows from one’s caste  Are not to act in hope of earning good karma  Stress on discipline, ritual action, moral choices

Ahimsa  Principle of “doing no harm,” i.e., non- violence  Everything is a manifestation of Brahman, to do harm to a living thing is to attack Brahman, and therefore the self.  Most Hindus are vegetarian.  Cows are sacred in India in that they symbolize “mother”

Laws of Manu  A Hindu scripture governing one’s actions & virtues  Contains instructions for living according to one’s caste and following one’s dharma  Themes: importance of patience, discipline, truthfulness, knowledge, living according to the 4 stages of life

Family Life  Men & women have separate roles  In urban areas & Western countries, gender roles less structured  One traditional aspect:  Dowry, money / valuables brought into marriage by the bride  (many Hindu families pay or demand dowries, even though it is illegal

Marriage  Arranged marriages (friends, neighbours, matchmakers)  Couple does not date, not left alone  According to tradition, those who arrange marriages:  Have greater wisdom about what it takes for a successful marriage  Know their children well  Consider: character, education, caste, tradition, background  Give the couple a say in what happens  Love develops after marriage, not before

Traditional Roles in Hindu Society Men’s Roles  Eldest male head of family  Property passed down from father to son  Only men may be Brahman priests & lead public worship Women’s Roles  Make all decisions about running the household  Take charge of family’s participation in rituals