1. Module 8 Coherence Systems In the next three weeks we will look at three major regional religious traditions: Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam

2. Coherence Systems – Overview of Today’s Work First part of the lecture: General introduction to regional religions and our approach to studies of religion General introduction to regional religions and our approach to studies of religion A brief introduction to Hinduism A brief introduction to Hinduism

3. Module 8 Objectives On successful completion of this module, you should be able to: identify the principal religious traditions of Australia, Asia and the Pacific, and those countries where each is practised identify the principal religious traditions of Australia, Asia and the Pacific, and those countries where each is practised describe key ideas of each religious tradition included in this module describe key ideas of each religious tradition included in this module

4. Module 8 Objectives identify the central source books or written record (if any) of each religious tradition identify the central source books or written record (if any) of each religious tradition identify the ways in which a particular religious tradition can affect the behaviour of believers identify the ways in which a particular religious tradition can affect the behaviour of believers

5. Coherence systems The Asia Pacific region is rich in religious traditions Let’s acknowledge some of them ….. Let’s acknowledge some of them …..

6. A Coherence System We use the phrase “coherence system” rather than “religion” to avoid some of the cultural baggage associated with “religion” We use the phrase “coherence system” rather than “religion” to avoid some of the cultural baggage associated with “religion” The cultural baggage might include angels, Easter, church schools, historical strife between different faiths, God, Sunday school, Christmas …. The cultural baggage might include angels, Easter, church schools, historical strife between different faiths, God, Sunday school, Christmas ….

7. A Coherence System Is a creative intellectual and emotional attempt to make sense of human life on earth, and to construct a satisfying order of life Is a creative intellectual and emotional attempt to make sense of human life on earth, and to construct a satisfying order of life Is a way of connecting this world with “the world beyond” which we glimpse, and is a way of bringing the worlds together so they “make sense” (cohere). Is a way of connecting this world with “the world beyond” which we glimpse, and is a way of bringing the worlds together so they “make sense” (cohere).

8. Hinduism the religion or coherence system of “the people beyond the Indus river” the religion or coherence system of “the people beyond the Indus river”

9. Hindu communities There are Hindus living in Fiji, Malaysia, Bali, Singapore, Sri Lanka, South Africa and the West Indies There are Hindus living in Fiji, Malaysia, Bali, Singapore, Sri Lanka, South Africa and the West Indies Why is that? Why these countries?

10. The Indic States Southeast Asian states which were influenced by Hindu philosophical, religious and social ideas Southeast Asian states which were influenced by Hindu philosophical, religious and social ideas

11. What does Hinduism signify? Like “game”, Hinduism signifies a whole range of beliefs and practices Like “game”, Hinduism signifies a whole range of beliefs and practices Think of the word “game”. Talk to your neighbour about what “game” really means. Can you pin it down? Think of the word “game”. Talk to your neighbour about what “game” really means. Can you pin it down?

12. Three Organising Questions 1. From What? What is the situation in which we humans find ourselves, and from which we seek liberation? 2. To What? To what do people aspire? What are peoples’ spiritual goals? 3. By What? How do people seek to achieve their goals?

13. Hinduism and the human situation Human life is cyclical, not linear Human life is cyclical, not linear

14. Hinduism and the human situation The character of our life is affected by behaviour in past lives The character of our life is affected by behaviour in past lives

15. Hinduism and the human situation Past behaviour determines our status in life Past behaviour determines our status in life

16. Hinduism and the human situation Individuals are ordered hierarchically in terms of ritual purity Individuals are ordered hierarchically in terms of ritual purity

17. The Law of Effects: The Law of Karma Karma derives from a word which relates to the idea of creation, creating (kri) Karma derives from a word which relates to the idea of creation, creating (kri) Karma is an account of what we do, what we create in life, what the effects of our actions will be Karma is an account of what we do, what we create in life, what the effects of our actions will be

18. How is Karma expressed? The effect of what we have done determines our status in future lives The effect of what we have done determines our status in future lives Our status is indicated by our caste membership Our status is indicated by our caste membership A Hindu’s caste status is an indication of their ritual purity A Hindu’s caste status is an indication of their ritual purity

19. Major Caste Divisions Brahmin Brahmin Kshatriya Kshatriya Vaisya Vaisya Sudra Sudra Dalits (outcastes) Dalits (outcastes)

20. How Does Caste Affect Daily Life? It affects marriage: people should marry partners of the same ritual purity level It affects marriage: people should marry partners of the same ritual purity level It affects interpersonal relations: who you can share food with, where you live It affects interpersonal relations: who you can share food with, where you live It privileges some groups, and marginalises others: some groups, for example, are allowed access to the scriptures, others are not It privileges some groups, and marginalises others: some groups, for example, are allowed access to the scriptures, others are not

21. The Human Situation - The Hindu View Summary Human life is cyclical Human life is cyclical Individual status is affected by behaviour in past lives Individual status is affected by behaviour in past lives Humans are ranked in terms of ritual purity Humans are ranked in terms of ritual purity Humans can aspire to a higher rank Humans can aspire to a higher rank Higher rank is dependent on the way we behave on earth (on our karma) Higher rank is dependent on the way we behave on earth (on our karma)

22. Q2: To What do Hindus Aspire? Hindus aspire to three things: Survival, and betterment in life Survival, and betterment in life The acquisition of merit, and the desire to be re-born well The acquisition of merit, and the desire to be re-born well Liberation and salvation Liberation and salvation

23. Q3: How do Hindus try to achieve their spiritual goals? We can identify three different, very general patterns of behaviour which Hindus follow in trying to reach their goals: The Pragmatic path or pattern of behaviour The Pragmatic path or pattern of behaviour The Dharma path, or the Wheel of Law pattern of behaviour The Dharma path, or the Wheel of Law pattern of behaviour The Transcendental path The Transcendental path

24. The Pragmatic Path The main concern is to avoid misfortune, and to ask supernatural agents to help The main concern is to avoid misfortune, and to ask supernatural agents to help Religious behaviour typically involves making vows, making offerings, performing rituals Religious behaviour typically involves making vows, making offerings, performing rituals

25. The Dharma Path Hindus who want to achieve merit and to be re-born “well” follow the path of dharma, sometimes called the Wheel of Law Hindus who want to achieve merit and to be re-born “well” follow the path of dharma, sometimes called the Wheel of Law

26. The Concept of Dharma Good or righteous conduct; to live life in accordance with the laws and duties of your caste Good or righteous conduct; to live life in accordance with the laws and duties of your caste Dharma differs for different castes Dharma differs for different castes Dharma is an elite tradition centred on the scriptures and commentaries Dharma is an elite tradition centred on the scriptures and commentaries The dharma path depends on priests and scholars who advise others The dharma path depends on priests and scholars who advise others

27. The Dharma Path Hindus who follow the dharma path typically observe caste rituals, read scripture, go on pilgrimages to holy places, build temples, give gifts to temples, Hindus who follow the dharma path typically observe caste rituals, read scripture, go on pilgrimages to holy places, build temples, give gifts to temples, try to “live right”, try to “live well” try to “live right”, try to “live well”

28. The Transcendental Path The drive is toward liberation from this world and human existence The drive is toward liberation from this world and human existence The individual who follows the transcendental path renounces the world and tries to find release through different disciplines The individual who follows the transcendental path renounces the world and tries to find release through different disciplines

29. A Contemporary Fourth Path: Devotionalism Devotion, called Bhakti, is very popular in India today Devotion, called Bhakti, is very popular in India today The way of achieving your spiritual goals is seen to be devotion to the gods. The way of achieving your spiritual goals is seen to be devotion to the gods. Devotion can take many forms: singing, chanting god’s name, prayer Devotion can take many forms: singing, chanting god’s name, prayer

30. Devotionalism and Liberation Salvation or liberation is understood as a gift from god Salvation or liberation is understood as a gift from god So liberation can come from intense devotion, and does not depend on endless re-births, endless shifts up the scale of ritual purity So liberation can come from intense devotion, and does not depend on endless re-births, endless shifts up the scale of ritual purity Devotionalism is a very radical doctrine, as it offers release here and now, in this life Devotionalism is a very radical doctrine, as it offers release here and now, in this life

31. Devotion: the Contract Whosoever offers to me with a pure heart A leaf, a flower, a drop of water, That offering from a pure heart I accept

32. How Do Hindus Achieve Their Spiritual Goals? Summary There are three paths to spirituality: The Pragmatic path The Pragmatic path The Dharma path The Dharma path The Transcendental Path The Transcendental Path