India
When faced with the realities of a broken world, the Indian religions of release look for a way to escape from the unsatisfactory cycle of ^^samsara ^^
The vicious cycle of life, death, rebirth, and redeath which is fueled by karma (means actions)
Refers to the consequences (both positive and negative) that flow from moral and immoral words, thoughts, and actions
The three religions of release: Hinduism, Buddhism, and Sikhism
According to Hindus, Buddhists, and Sikhs, we all find ourselves in a moral universe in which our karmic actions in past and present lives have huge consequences for who we are today
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Unlike Christians, Muslims, and Buddhists, Hindus have not traditionally attempted to attract converts
To be a Hindu is to be born into a Hindu family, and to be born into a Hindu family is to be a Hindu
Hinduism is ^^predominantly a Southeast Asian ethnic religion^^. Vast majority of Hindus live in India
Hindus ^^refuse to self-identify^^, and instead think of themselves as inhabitants of particular regions, speakers of particular languages, and members of particular castes
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Hinduism: A Genealogy
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The Hindu world has traditionally been divided into ^^4 classes, or varnas^^ (colors)
Hinduism is an umbrella term for a diverse array of religious concepts, symbols, beliefs, and behaviors
Hindu goddess Kali is depicted as ferocious bc of her willingness to fight for justice for her devotees
Ppl view reincarnation as an opportunity to do better in the next life, but Hindus see rebirth, as being strapped on the hamster “wheel of redeath”
^^Samsara^^, is a trap rather than an opportunity, and the goal is to be liberated from this cycle
Hindus refer to this liberation as ^^moksha^^
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Hindu Gods and Goddesses
^^Brahman^^: the all-pervading, impersonal Spirit of God
Some Hindus speak of a ^^Trimurti of 3 gods^^ (the manifestation/avatar of this god):
^^Issue with Trimurti^^: overestimates the importance of Brahma, neglects Hinduism’s 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. The god of good fortune. He’s the deity to worship at the beginning of any new venture, such as college, marriage, or a new job
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Ways of Being Hindu
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Vedic Religion: Proto-Hinduism as a Way of Action
Hindus divide their scriptures into 2 categories: smriti (what is remembered), and shruti (what is heard)
^^Classification of 4 Veda Texts:^^
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
Four Vedic Gods
Indra: most important Vedic deity, warrior god, god of war, high god. Role was killing a demon who had locked away the world’s waters
Agni: second most important deity in Vedas. Fire itself and god of fire, sacrifice, and sun. messenger between human and heavenly realms
Varuna: moral god, guardian of cosmic order and social harmony. Practice appropriate speech, performed rituals, punished evildoers with disease and rewarding those who did good deeds w/ happiness
Soma: hallucinogenic plant, the intoxicating juice from that plant, and the god of all plants. Inspired priests to compose Vedic hymns and steeled warriors into battle
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^^Subclassifactions of Veda Texts^^ (associated w/ the main Vedas listed earlier: Rig, Yajur, Sama, Atharva)
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Puja
Festivals
Pilgrimage
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