Chapter 2: Hinduism "The Way of Devotion"

According to , Hindu worshipers can be divided into 4 main Religious Constellations.

Indologist William Halfbass

used Hindoo to refer to all Indian immigrants, regardless of religion.

Americans

Shaivas who worship Shiva as supreme are .

monotheistic

Soma

hallucinogenic plant, the intoxicating juice from that plant, and the god of all plants.

Upanishads

later philosophical speculation on the Ultimate Reality to which Vedic rituals point, often presented as dialogues between teachers and students.

Unlike , Muslims, and Buddhists, Hindus have not traditionally attempted to attract converts.

Christians

Brahmanas

prose commentary on a given Veda, explaining, often via allegorical interpretation, the meanings of Vedic sacrifice and procedures for performing it.

Hindus divide their scriptures into 2 categories:

smriti (what is remembered), and shruti (what is heard)

Agni

second most important deity in Vedas.

Who introduced Hinduism to the U.S. at the World's Parliament of Religions in Chicago 1893?

Swami Vivekananda

who worship one of the avatars Vishnu, Krishna, and Rama as their deity of choice are monotheistic.

Vaishnavas

Tantra

rose around devotional Hinduism, presented an alternative to the paths of ritual action, wisdom, and devotion.

Kabir

15th- century poet viewed as a sharp- tongued champion of interreligious harmony.

What do Hindus see rebirth as?

Hindus see rebirth, as being strapped on the hamster "wheel of redeath.

Brahman

the all- pervading, impersonal Spirit of God.

Indra

most important Vedic deity, warrior god, god of war, high god.

Vedic Religion

Proto- Hinduism as a Way of Action.

Exemplars

yogis, renouncers, and poet- saints.

Athara Veda

"Priestly Knowledge: "later texts, including practical prayers, charms, and incantations used to bring on success and to ward off sickness.

Hindu goddess Kali

Depicted as ferocious bc of her willingness to fight for justice for her devotees.

What does the term Hindu point to?

Hindu was originally a geographical marker, pointing to ancient ppl who occupied the valley of the river Sindhu.

The : Hinduism and a Way of Devotion.

Bhakti Tradition

is the most photographed Hindu festival.

HoliHoli festival

What do Festivals feature?

Feature theatrical performances rooted in episodes of the Mahabharata, the Ramayana, or popular vernacular epics.

What is fueled by Karma>

The vicious cycle of life, death, rebirth, and redeath which is fueled by karma (means actions)

devotees worship gods on their own times, in the temple and home.

Hindu

What do Hindus refuse to do?

Refuse to self- identify, and instead think of themselves as inhabitants of particular regions, speakers of particular languages, and members of particular castes.

What is Hinduism?

An umbrella term for a diverse array of religious concepts, symbols, beliefs, and behaviors.

The three religions of release

Hinduism, Buddhism, and Sikhism

Brahman

the all-pervading, impersonal Spirit of God

Issue with Trimurti

overestimates the importance of Brahma, neglects Hinduisms many goddesses, and the most popular divinities in India are Shiva, Vishnu, the goddess Devi, and Ganesha

Ganesha

elephant-headed son of Shiva and Parvati

Problem

samsara, the unsatisfactory cycle of life, death, rebirth, and redeath

Solution

 moksha, release from this cycle

Techniques

 the disciplines of karma (action), jnana (wisdom), and bhakti (devotion)

Exemplars

 yogis, renouncers, and poet-saints

Hindus divide their scriptures into 2 categories

smriti (what is remembered), and shruti (what is heard)

Rig Veda "Verse Knowledge"

poems or chants praising god, recited by priests during sacrifices and other rituals

Yajur Veda "Sacrifical Knowledge"

prose mantras or sacred formulas, to recite during these rites

Sama Veda "Musical Knowledge"

hymns

Athara Veda "Priestly Knowledge"

later texts, including practical prayers, charms, and incantations used to bring on success and to ward off sickness

Indra

most important Vedic deity, warrior god, god of war, high god

Agni

second most important deity in Vedas

Varuna

moral god, guardian of cosmic order and social harmony

Soma

hallucinogenic plant, the intoxicating juice from that plant, and the god of all plants

Subclassifactions of Veda Texts (associated w/ the main Vedas listed earlier)

Rig, Yajur, Sama, Atharva

Brahmanas

prose commentary on a given Veda, explaining, often via allegorical interpretation, the meanings of Vedic sacrifice and procedures for performing it

Aranyakas

most ecstatic medications on the meanings of Vedic sacrifice, rooted in secret discussions of the Vedas among forest-dwelling renouncers

Upanishads

later philosophical speculation on the Ultimate Reality to which Vedic rituals point, often presented as dialogues between teachers and students

Kabir

15th-century poet viewed as a sharp-tongued champion of interreligious harmony

Tantra

rose around devotional Hinduism, presented an alternative to the paths of ritual action, wisdom, and devotion