1. World Religions A Voyage of Discovery
Hinduism

2. Some Basics 95% of Hindus live in India
Hinduism emerged as a religion, it did not begin with a founder or particular event
Hinduism shares no doctrinal statements
Hindus hold that no one religion can possibly claim knowledge of absolute truth

3. Samsara - the cycle of rebirth
Experiential
rebirth
Moksha
Liberation or release of the individual self (atman) from the bondage of samsura; salvation; one of the four life goals
Samadhi
Trance like state where mind is absorbed into the ultimate reality; goal of the 8 steps of yoga
birth
karma
death
Samsara - the cycle of rebirth

4. Mythic Stories & descriptions of 330 million gods & goddesses
Polytheistic
Extensions of the One Reality
Important triad of gods; Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva
Avatars- incarnations of the gods or goddesses
Provide points of contact with individuals
Cosmology
Many worlds, many lifetimes
Somehow came to be
Long periods of creation & destruction, endless repetition
Reincarnation; cyclical pattern to human life also
Occurs on different levels, sometimes transcends the earthly for many years and then returns to earth

5. 1. Brahma is the Creator god
2. Vishnu is the Preserving god
3. Shiva is the Destroying god
3 primary
forms of
Brahman
An avatar is the incarnation of a god or goddess e.g. Krishna and Rama

6. Doctrinal Monism Salvation through moksha Sacredness of life
The Ultimate Reality is made up of only one essence; Brahman
The atman or eternal self which is identified with Brahman
Salvation through moksha
Cycle of rebirth
The fourth goal of life
Karma
Three Paths to Liberation
Karma Marga
Jnana Marga
Bhakti Marga
Sacredness of life
Four goals of life
Four stages of life

7. Ethical Dharma The Three paths of Liberation
Living in harmony with the station in life
Karma is determined by adherence to dharma
The Three paths of Liberation
The Path of Works
The Path of Knowledge
The Path of Devotion

8. Three Paths to Liberation
Yoga: discipline aimed at training the consciousness for a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility
Path of Action
Service to others
Path of Knowledge
Learning- information
Thinking- reflection on learning
View of self- assimilating reflection
Path of Devotion
Devotion to Brahman

9. Ritual Home Shrines Visiting temples of particular gods or goddesses
Puja
Visiting temples of particular gods or goddesses
Decorating and venerating cows

10. Social The Caste System Brahmins Priests- purest, wisest, most learned
Kshatriyas
Warriors- protect and rule
Vaishya
Farmers & Merchants- provide food and goods
Shudra
Servants- serve all the other castes- not permitted to study scripture
Asprishya
Untouchables- lower than the lowest caste- degrading jobs
Outlawed in India

11. Most men progress through the first two only
Four Stages of Life
Hindu males of the first 3 castes
Women are to be daughters, wives and mothers (Patriarchal society)
Student
From about 13 to marriage
Studies with a guru
Householder
Marriage to first grandchild
Pursues a career
Marries, raises a family
“Forest dweller”
Retreats from worldly bonds
Wife may accompany him
Spiritual Pilgrim
Wandering ascetic
Transcend ordinary ways of the world
Forsakes all worldly possessions, even his name
Most men progress through the first two only

12. especially as dictated
Four Goals of Life
Dharma
one’s duties in life,
especially as dictated
by caste
Artha
pursuit of both
material and
political wealth
Kama
pursuit of artistic,
recreational, and
sensual pleasure
Moksha
pursuit of liberation
from the cycle of
rebirth through
actions, thoughts,
and devotions

13. Material temples home shrines Ganges River Scriptures many images of
gods/goddesses
home shrines
many images of
gods/goddesses
murti
Ganges River
symbol of life w/o end
ritual bathing
and other rivers
Scriptures

14. Scriptures The Vedas Shruti Scriptures (the most sacred) The Holy
1. Rig Veda - hymns to various gods
2. Soma Veda - hymns chanted at sacrifices
3. Yajur Veda - instructions for priests regarding sacrifices
4. Atharva Veda - hymns, charms, spells and incantations for domestic use
The
Vedas
The
Holy
Vedasc

15. The Upanishads The Upanishads
Shruti Scriptures – also…
The
Upanishads
concerned with the cycle of rebirth
the mystical relationship between Brahman (Ultimate Reality) and atmon (soul)
often shared in a dialogue between guru and student
The
Upanishads

16. Puranas Mahabharata Smirti Scriptures stories of the gods:
Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva
a Hindu epic poem

17. Hinduism Beliefs and Practices (continued) Atman:
is the “real self” (mind, body, and emotions are “maya” or illusions)
Hindus strive for release from maya in order to achieve union with Brahman/atman
Moksha (liberation) is achieved through rigorous physical and mental discipline

18. Hinduism Hinduism through a Catholic Lens Similarities:
Tolerance of religious diversity
pursuing social issues
honoring Jesus and his teachings
the tradition of depicting and venerating religious images

19. Hinduism Hinduism through a Catholic Lens (continued) Differences:
karma
reincarnation
the caste system
Jesus as the one and only incarnation of God