Hinduism review

Samsara

• reincarnation

• process of life, death, and rebirth

What are the key terms in Hinduism?

• Atman - the soul

• Samsara (reincarnation) - process of life, death, rebirth

• Karma - the quality of rebirth is determined by the the moral behavior displayed in the previous life

• Moksha (liberation) - breaking the cycle of samsara

• Brahman - the ultimate reality

Atman

the soul

karma

the concept that the quality of rebirth is determined by the moral behavior displayed in the previous life

Moksha

• liberation

• breaking the cycle of samsara

Brahman

• the ultimate reality

• the universe, the infinite eternal truth

• the single binding unity connecting all living things

Dharma

• religious law, obligation, and duty governing one’s conduct

• live the life that the universe has given you in an honorable way

What does the Dharma wheel symbolize? Where does it appear?

• symbol of the continuing motion of the universe, law, and structure

• appears in the center of the flag of india

What is the main goal of life in Hinduism?

• to escape the cycle of rebirth and death (samsara)

• enter into an indescribable state - moksha (liberation)

What happens to someone who has reached moksha?

• the ones who reach this sate no longer struggle with the cycle of life and death

  • this person has united the human soul (atman) with the universal soul (brahman)

What are some basic information about Hinduism (roots, founder, size)?

• originated in India

• no founder

• dates back to 3500 BCE

• third largest religion

• primarily in India (80% of India practice Hinduism)

What is the worldview/basic principles of Hinduism?

• the holy is inside of all of us and in everything

• there is no formal organization or leadership

• very diverse across India and the world

• millions of gods

What does “Hindu” mean?

• Indians did not call themselves Hindu until British colonialization

• Hindu was a word that derives from Persian, meaning people who lived beyond the Indus River

What is the Hinduist worldview in relation to gods (# of gods)?

• polytheistic - many gods (this is how outsiders view Hinduism)

• monist - all is ONE; all living things are a part of a supreme reality (Hindus believe this)

• monotheistic - one god (many people believe that all Hindu gods are made from one god)

Hinduism encompasses a wide range of beliefs, and while it’s often perceived as polytheistic, it also includes monotheistic, monist, and other perspectives, with many Hindus viewing deities as manifestations of a single, supreme reality. 

Who does The Trimurti (Hindu trinity) consist of?

• Brahma - creator: responsible for the beginning of the universe and all things within it

• Shiva - destroyer: responsible for the end of the universe and the cycle of rebirth

• Vishnu - preserver: maintaining the balance + order of the universe

What is the Aum/Om symbol? How is it used?

• primordial sound of the universe

• chanted to improve physical, mental, and emotional state

What do the parts of the Aum/Om symbol represent?

• lower curve: waking state

• upper curve: unconscious state

• middle curve: dream state

• dot: enlightenment

• crescent: maya (illusion)

What are the 4 sacred texts in Hinduism?

• The Bhagavad Gita: most ancient and well-known text

• The Four Vedas: oldest texts (2500 years old)

• The Upanishads: philosophical texts

• Puranas: ancient stories centered around the Trimurti (Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva)

What is The Bhagavad Gita?

most ancient and well-known text

What is The Four Vedas?

oldest texts (2500 years old)

What are the Upanishads?

philosophical texts

What are the Puranas?

ancient stories centered around the Trimurti (Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva)

What is the mandir?

• home for the gods

• Hindu temple: place of worship

What to do when visiting a Hindu temple?

• ring a bell: let the gods know you came to worship them

• perform a puja: sit in front of the gods, make an offering and pray

• circling the statues of gods

• shiva linga: ritual

What are the main parts of a mandir?

• inner shrine

• bell

• arthi

What is the shrine? What is its purpose?

• sacred center of the Mandir

• found in most Hindu households

• Where the Murti is kept

What is the Murti?

• sacred image of a deity

• helps Hindus to develop and express their relationship to the deity

  • an access point to the deities

What is the puja? Where can it be done?

• a ritual of worship and devotion (of the Sacred image)

• can be done both in the Mandir and at home

• involves:

  • bathing and dressing the deity

  • offering of food

• followed by the arthi

What is the arti? How is it done?

• performed multiple times each day

• offering light to the gods (in a clockwise motion)

• other items include incense, flowers, water

• lamp and other items are passed around amongst the congregation

• often accompanied by singing

• all stand out of respect

What are the three main types of festivals celebrated in Hinduism?

• Celebrating a significant event in the life of a deity (e.g.: Diwali)

• Celebrating a significant event in the life of a holy person (e.g.: the birthday of a particular guru)

• Seasonal festivities or customs (e.g.: spring festivals like Holi)

What is Diwali?

• most well known festival in Hinduism

• also known as: festival of lights

• recounts the stories from the Ramayana

  • tells the story of Rama and Sita

What is the story of Ramayana (Rama and Sita) behind Diwali?

• Hindu deities: Rama + Sita

  1. Rama is sent away to a far-off country by his father

  2. Rama leaves with his wife Sita

  3. Sita gets kidnapped by a wicked demon: Ravana

  4. The monkey god, Hanuman, helps Rama save Sita and kill Ravana so they can return home

  5. good vs. evil

  6. lamps were lit to guide Rama and Sita home

     • why Hindus light diya lamps during Diwali today

What is the caste system?

• an important part of Hinduism

• castes: social classes into which a person is born and lives their entire life

• if a person has a good karma, they may be reincarnated into a higher caste

When was the caste system outlawed?

since 1950

Caste

• from the Portuguese word ‘casta’

• means race

Aryans

• ruling groups in India

• 1500-500 BCE

Dravidians

group of people ruled by the Aryans

Varna

‘colour’

Jati

lineage or kinship group

What is the origin of the caste system?

• date back to >3000 years ago with the Rig Veda

• helped the ruling Aryans keep the Dravidians under control

• maintained social harmony + cohesion

How was each caste determined?

each caste was determined by heritage

• dharma: fulfill the expectations for people in your caste

What are the different castes?

• Bhramin: priests, academics

• Kshatryia: warriors, kings

• Vaishya: merchants, landowners

• Sudra: commoners, peasants, servants

• Untouchables: outcast—out of caste, street sweepers, latrine cleaners

Untouchables

• Panchama: those who fall outside the four classes

• to be treated with charity but not to touch

• recently referred to themselves as dalits (the oppressed)

What was the controversy surrounding the caste system?

• poor treatment of the lower castes

• the lowest of castes are shunned from society

• movement in the 20th century to dismantle the caste system

• outlawed in 1950, but very little change

• social and economic pressure in globalized world eroding the caste system