Hinduism

Young’s definition

truth - The Ways of Truth Are Many

hinduism

one of oldest religions (time period 1), mother religion to buddhism, jainism, sikhism, very diverse to getting at life and many truths

Indus River Valley Civilization 5500-2600BC

little known but sophisticated civilizations (running water, toys), symbols linked to hindusim

arayan invasion 1700-1300BC

vedic period, theory of indo, sanskrit language develops, oral hymns/chants/prayers in sanskrit (1200-400BC), social structures develop → caste system

theory of indo

europeans nomads from the steps of central asia, based on language patterns

indian caste system

brahmins, warriors, producers/landowners, workers/servants, untouchables

brahmins

aryan priests

Period 1

indus river valley civilization, aryan invasion, indian caste system

period 2 600BC-AD600

mauryan + gupta empites (hindu/jain/buddhist rulers), buddhism + jainism developed in 400BC, hindu epics, upanishads

hindu epics (books)

Ramayana, Mahabharata (contains Bhagavad Lita)

Upanishads (sit down closely)

a move from “philosophical“ Vedas from 100BC, ideas of Brahman + Atman (central hindu ideas)

brahman

central hindu idea, upanishads

gupta

golden age of India (AD300-500), peace + prosperity, scientific advances

Period 3

post classical, AD600-1450, a split in focus within Hinduism

split within hinduism

1. devotional - puranas

2. philosophical

trimurity (trinity) + consorts

Brahma (creator), Vishnu (preserver), Shiva (destroyer)

brahma

creator

philosophical in period 3

upanishad + the advaita vedanta

period 4-6

world history 140 - present

mughal empire

islamic rule in india (1526-1761)

akbar - muslim ruler, tolerant of all religions

later rules less tolerant → persecution of hindus

avatars

gods that come in time of need. a movememnt away from impersonal braham (passionate devotion to avatars (incarnations of gods) )

british raj

1858-1947

british presence from 1750s of East India Company, direct rule from 1858

reform/abolition of practices (sati), exploitation of caste system, mixed legacy of imperialism

Ghandi 1800s to 1900s

focus on non-violence (sanskrit for Ahmisa) in opposing british rule of India → influences Civil Rights Movements

1947 republic of india/partitioning of india

secular democracy with Hindu majority, Pakistan formed into islamic republic using land from India

continuities over india’s history

Indian Caste System, Hinduism, Vedas (keep adding to scriptures)

changes over india’s history

british abolished practices, different ruling empires in control (british, mughal)

prime minister Modi

2014-present, focuses on hindu nationalism

influence on west

Hare Krishna, New Age Movement, Advaita Vedanta

Hare Krishna

monotheisitc movement, avatar of Vishnu

humans

people have an eternal soul and the true self is spiritual

Atman

our spiritual self, not fully realized bc of ego, not bound by space or time, not physical

problem

trapped by karma, our physical self is chained to the laws of Karma

result

reincarnation based on your previous karma (a lazy person may be reborn as a sloth)

cause

desire and ignorance, desire for this world keeps the atman trapped to learning and to the physical world, ignorance is spiritual confusion abotu reality, our true selves (Atman) and what keeps us tied to the physical life

end

liberation (Moksha) from rebirth, various branches of hinduism see moksha differently but all agree on eng goal of moksha

Bhakti

devotional branch of end goal, communion with personal deity in eternal bliss

Advaita Vedanta

philosophical branch of end goal, Atman is absorbed into cosmic oneness - impersonal (Brahnan)

means of transformation

action, devotion, knowledge, you are trapped by action but need to act for liberation

3 Margas (paths) or Yogas (ways)

also known as Dharmas: Karma Marga, Jnana Marga, Bhakti Marga

Karma Marga

the path of action → selfless service, releases built up karma without building up karma, selfless service to all Laws of Manu

Laws of Manu

humankind guidlines for society

Jnana Marga

the path of knowledge through meditation usually with the help of a guru, student → householder → forest dweller → ascetic

Bhakti Marga

the path of devotion to a god/statue

Thaipusam

tamil hindu celebration commemorating Murugan also known as Kartikeya, god of war, son of Shiva + Parvati

percieved reality

breaking through The Veil of Maya, material/physical world is an illusion (maya), external reality subject to cosmic rebirth

ultimacy

sacred - many gods = one essence, 330 million god, 1 god in many manifestations, hinduism is polytheistic (many gods), henotheistic (primary god), pantheistic (god is everything), monistic (all in one), Brahman (impersonal oneness) VS worship of a personal ultimacy (Vishnu)

perennialism

we are all on the same mountain

pluralism

every mountain is equally true

inclusivism

you are all climbing my mountain

exclusivism

only one mountain is worth climbing

particularism

respect separate mountain particulars