1. “WITH MIND ABSORBED AND HEART MELTED IN LOVE.”

2. Hinduism
Complex variety of religious paths in Hinduism- “Family of Faiths”
Hinduism has not taken root outside its state of origin like Buddhism, Christianity and Islam.

3. All that honor Vedas
Grouped under term Hinduism
Hinduism is an invaders term
Indigenous term- Sanatana Dharma

4. Sanatana Dharma Sanatana- eternal, ageless Dharma- support, religion
Meaning in life encompasses matters of duty, natural law, social welfare, ethics and direction of all activities in life toward transcendental realization- “Every Part of Life”

5. Spiritual expressions
Extreme Asceticism  Extreme Sensuality
Heights of personal devotion to deity  heights of abstract philosophy
Metaphysical oneness behind the material world  worship of images representing multiple deities
Doctrines are not a focus for Hindus

6. Myriads of Paths Hard to trace chronologically all existing paths
Truth is one, sages call it by various names. -Rig Veda
Life is transitory and world illusory
Human accomplishment is not important, life of the soul is important.

8. Wrap up
Contrast the focus of Hinduism with American culture: Life of the soul vs. human accomplishment.
Discuss: Things in our society that point to human accomplishment, Hindu society that point to soul.
“What you believe and value determines what you do/your actions.”? Hypothesize what this looks like for a Hindu from what we looked at today? What does life look like for a Hindu?
Choose two students to summarize/explain Hinduism’s founding/beginning.
HW- Read and Outline p and prepare for Quiz

9. H:\India_s_Faithful.asf