HINDUISM World’s oldest religion  ”Santana Dharma” – Eternal Religion 3000 BC Indus Valley 1000 BC – “Aryans” (nobles from Europe and Asia) migrated to India 3rd largest religion +/- 900 million followers “All Roads lead to God” AUM – holy sign (represents Brahman)

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

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/Krishna  Arjuna questions war  Krishna (8 th avatar of Vishnu) 2 reasons to fight: 1)says it is your Dharma to fight 2)good must defeat evil

SACRED BOOKS 5) LAW OF MANU – code of behavior  created “Caste System”  “All men are created UNEQUAL” 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 GODS

brahman  Henotheistic  Brahman – God  Created all things  Brahman is in everyone = “Atman”

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, pp

[Father] “Bring me a fruit off the banyan tree.” “Here it is father.” “Break it.” “It is broken, Sir.”

“What do you see in it?” “Very small seeds, Sir.” “Break one of them, my son.” “It is broken, Sir.” “What do you see in it?” “Nothing at all, Sir.”

Then his father spoke to him: “My son, from the very essence in the seed which you cannot see comes in truth this vast banyan tree.” “Believe me, my son, an invisible and subtle essence is the Spirit of the whole universe. That is reality. That is Atman. THOU ARE THAT.” “Explain more to me, father,” said Svetaketu. “So be it, my son. Place this salt in water and come to me tomorrow morning.”

Svetaketu 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.” Svetaketu 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?” “It is salt.”

Taste it from that side. How is it?” “It is salt.” “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.”

Brahma Shiva Vishnu

Reincarnation – soul (Atman) is continuously reborn until achieves Moksha Samsara – continuous cycle of rebirths based on karma 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 HINDU IDEAS

**”Group Karma” – also affects individuals and countries DHARMA – your job/duty According as one acts, so does he become. One becomes virtuous by virtuous action, bad by bad action. Yajur Veda, Brihadaranyaka Upanishad KARMA – Reap what you sow HINDU IDEAS THESE CONCEPTS DETERMINE YOUR POSITION IN YOUR NEXT LIFE QUESTION Why do you think religions have ideas like Karma, Golden Rule, etc…?

GOAL OF HINDUISM MOKSHA – when soul re-unites with Brahman **no longer in cycle of reincarnation** Your “Atman” (soul) reunites with Brahman

HINDU IDEAS NO Satan a)God cannot have a rival / 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 – 3 rd Eye – spiritual awakening

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 stages of life Student adolescence to about age 20 when one learns and studies Householder when one takes on the responsibilities of adult life. It is the time for marriage, raising children, being involved in business and one's community Retired person “Forest Dweller” contemplates their life and attempts to formulate an understanding of "what it's all about." Ascetic rejection of life and all that it means in exchange for a search to attain Moksha

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 cont. 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”