World Religions- Hinduism

Hinduism

↳ Can be thought of as one of the oldest religions in the world

↳ No single founder, scripture, or commonly agreed set of teachings

Ganges

Most sacred river to Hindus and is also a lifeline to millions of Indians who live along its course and depend on it for their daily needs

Deities

↳ All of the gods and goddesses are the myriad images of the one Ultimate Reality of Absolute Reality aka Brahman

Brahma

The Creator god

Vishnu

Preserving god

Shiva

Destroyer god

Avatars

incarnation of a god or goddess who descended from the heavenly world to earth to rid the world of evil

Mahabharata

↳ Contains the Bhagavad Gita

Incarnation

Main purpose is to demonstrate the righteous path known as dharma for all living creatures on earth

Yoga

Way of reaching moksha.

An expression of "jnana marga" , but is sometimes considered separate.

Jhana Yoga

↳ Emphasis on self

↳ Way of wisdom

↳ Path of knowledge and becoming educated

↳ Attaining moksha through knowledge

↳ Know the supreme and that's essential to eliminate ego and identification of the body

Bhakti Yoga

↳ Spiritual path described as fostering love of, faith in, and surrender to God

↳ Attaining moksha through devotion

↳ To realize God

↳ Easiest way for the common person because it doesn't involve extensive yogic practices

Karma Yoga

↳ Discipline of action" is a form of yoga based on the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita

↳ Attaining moksha through service/discipline

↳ Process of achieving perfection in action

↳ Intrinsic part of many derivative types of yoga

Bhagavad Gita

A sacred Sanskrit scripture of Hinduism

Favors Bhakti

Hatha Yoga

↳ Focusing on physical and mental strength building exercises and postures described primarily in three texts of Hinduism

↳ The most common yoga in the west

samadhi

ultimate union

A deep trancelike state in which self-consciousness is lost.

Hindu Dharma

↳ The world's oldest living dharma

↳ Over 8500 years old

↳ Is tolerant, resilient and peace-loving

↳ Root in Indian subcontinent

↳ Also called Sanatana (always existed) Dharma or Eternal Dharma

↳ Has no founder

↳ Acceptance of different modes of worship

Four Aims of Life

1. Kama

2. Artha

3. Dharma

4. Moksha

Kama

Striving for what is pleasant and delightful for the senses

Artha

Striving for what is useful and attaining prosperity

Dharma

Working for justice and virtue; knowing what your role is in society and doing it; engaging in religious practices (individual), pujas/poojas; religious practices mostly happen at home

Moksha

Mean liberation or release or enlightenment; Striving for liberation and redemption from the cycle of re-birth; a goal of being liberated of the cycle of karma

Guru

"teacher" Hindu teachers and guides in philosophical and spiritual matters

Bhakti

the devotional way

Samsara

Devotional Ways Flow together- ways of action, wisdom, devotion

Sanskirt

An ancient language of India that is the language of Hinduism and the Vedas; it is derived from a word that means "perfected"

Caste System

social class system that is prevalent in Hindu India

Upanishads

↳ Writings concerned with the cycle of rebirth as it is contingent on a person's actions, liberation from the cycle of rebirth, and the mystical relationship btwn Brahman (Ultimate reality) and atman (soul)

↳ Stories often shared in a dialogue between guru and student

The Basis for Hindu doctrines

Atman

↳ Brahman is identical to the innermost soul, the individuals' essential nature, the real self (aka atman), of each person

↳ The body, mind, and emotions of a person are not considered a person's real self

Maya

↳ "illusions"; things that prevent us from seeing our atman

↳ A teaching of the Upanishads says that only Brahman is permanent; everything else is an illusion

Cycle of rebirth

↳ Life is cyclical; bodies in heaven are round

↳ Every person is on a cycle determined by karma, the moral law of cause and effect

Karma

Based on belief in reincarnation, it is the notion that the form the soul will take in the next life is determined by its behavior in this life

Samsara

The experience of birth, life, and death over and over again until one has achieved oneness with Brahman; transmigration of souls

Yogas

A Hindu discipline aimed at training the consciousness for a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility (knowledge, good deeds, and devotion)

Ahimsa

Desire not to harm any form of life; the basis for the belief of nonviolent means as a solution to problems

Satyagraha

Policy of non-violent resistance initiated by Gandhi as a means of pressing for political reform

Four Pursuits of Life

1. Dharma

2. Artha

3. Kama

4. Moksha

Dharma

A person's duties in life, especially those related to social obligations within one's caste

Artha

Pursuit of both material and political wealth

Kama

Pursuit of both artistic, recreational, and sensual pleasure

Moksha

Pursuit of liberation from the cycle of rebirth through actions, thoughts, and devotions

Different Castes

1. Brahmins

2. Kshatriyas

3. Vaishya

3. Shudra

Brahmins

↳ Priests

↳ From families who are considered the purest, wisest, and most learned

Kshatriyas

↳ Warriors

↳ Help protect and rule society

Vaishya

Farmers and merchants

Shudra

↳ Servants

↳ Serve those in other levels of castes; not permitted to study scripture

Atman

↳ Atman means 'eternal self'

↳ Referred to as 'spirit' or 'soul' and indicates our true self or essence which underlies our existence.

Dharma

↳ Means 'duty', 'virtue', 'morality', even 'religion' and it refers to the power which upholds the universe and society

Varna

Refers to a person's responsibility regarding class (varna) and stage of life (ashrama); called varnashrama-dharma

Grihastha

'householder' in which the twice born male can experience the human purposes (purushartha) of responsibility, wealth, and sexual pleasure

Vanaprastha

'hermit' or 'wilderness dweller' in which the twice born male retires from life in the world to take up pilgrimage and religious observances along with his wife

Samnyasa

'renunciation' in which the twice born gives up the world, takes on a saffron robe or, in some sects, goes naked, with a bowl and a staff to seek moksha (liberation) or develop devotion

Guru

↳ A teacher who teaches through example and conveys knowledge and wisdom to his disciples

Swami Vivekananda

first Hindu "missionary"