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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

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

13. 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

14. 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
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15. 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.