Hinduism

Hinduism

Eastern Mindset

• Not Logical

  • The universe need not be logical in creation. There need not be logical patterns and activity in the universe

• Things simply “are”

• Truths about the universe can never be fully known

• Relationships that exists appear to be cyclical and things are in harmony

• Life/Death, Good/Evil, Darkness/Light, Knowable/Not Knowable, Knowledge/Mystery

Western Mindset

• Logical

  • The universe is logical in creation

• Rational

  • These logical patterns are rational

  • The can be known and understood

  • Truths about the universe can be discovered, understood, and manipulated

  • Relationships exist by rational design

  • There are knowable, predictable; cause and effect relationships which act according to knowable laws

  • Linear worldview. Everything has a beginning and an end

Definition Of Hinduism

• A spirit of tolerance

• Belief in vast cosmic periods of creation and destruction

• Belief in reincarnation

• Recognition of multiple paths to salvation and truth

• Polytheism

• Philosophical flexibility (no single dogma)

How Did Hinduism Begin

Indus Valley Civilization

• From at least 2500 BCE there were people living in the Indus Valley

• Several cities with advanced plumbing, architecture and populations of 40,000+

• (e.g, Harappa and Mohenjo Daro) flourished

Aryan Arrival

• With the arrival of the Aryans (from central Asia) the 2 cultures began to mix and blend their religious practices. It is believed that the mix of the 2 cultures is what formed the basics of what is now known as hinduism

• The Aryan religious thought flourished from 1500 to 500 B.C.E and was embodied in a collection of hymns, ritual texts and philosophical works called

Sacred Scripture

• The Vedas, a collection of 4 religious texts, are the oldest hindu scriptures

• Written in sanskrit

• Considered revealed texts (authorless)

• 4 Vedas include

  • Rig (the most popular)

  • Yajurveda

  • Samaveda

  • Atharvaveda

• Each Veda is subdivided into 4 sections containing:

  • Mantras

  • Ritual and ceremonies

  • Commentaries

  • Meditations and philosophies

• Hinduism can be referred to as:

  • Polytheistic

  • Monotheistic

  • Monistic

Polytheism

• Refers to the belief in many gods

• Hindus are free to imagine brahman in any way that is meaningful to them, therefore worshipping different deities that they consider manifestations of brahman 

Monotheism

• Belief in one god

  • Essentially, hindus believe in different manifestations of the same supreme being: BRAHMAN

  • Hindus belief that brahman is without shape or form, therefore they are able to imagine him or her in any way that is meaningful to them

Monistic

• God, humankind,all of creation, the universe itself share a common essence

• Brahman is an entity without form or quality; the soul of the universe from which all existing things arise and into which they return

Atman

• The atman was considered to be the ‘breath of life’ and became one of the fundamental principles of Hindu philosophy

• Atman is the hindu term for the human essence of soul; it is the part of the innermost spirit that is identical to Brahman, the soul

• It is eternal and immortal, when one dies, the atman lives, shedding the lifeless body to enter a new one

Reincarnation

• Samsara is the endless cycle of rebirth, or reincarnation

• The atman does not die but instead enters into another body (human, animal, plant etc.) based on karma from their previous life, the physical world is temporary, ever changing and artificial. The imperfect world is known as Maya

• The goal for Hindus is to break this cycle (known as Moksha) and reunite the atman with Brahman

The Trimurti

Trimurti

• Many Hindus believe in one supreme god, whom they call Brahman, but they worship god in various form

• Freedom to believe that god is formless

• Allows followers to worship God in diverse ways

• God may be represented in masculine and feminine ways

• The most popularly worshipped are Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva
  
  

Trimurti Meaning

• "Tri" means three

• "Murti" is an image or statue representing a particular deity

• Most Hindus do not normally worship the Trimurti as a deity

• Prefer to concentrate on individual aspects of a god instead
  
  

Brahma

• Brahma is the creator of the universe

• All living things and beings are said to have evolved from him

• Responsible for the four Vedas, which are said to have come from his head(s)

• Shown with four heads, bearded faces and four arms

• Four heads enable him to look in every direction at once; represents omniscience

• Beard indicates his eternal nature

• Four arms represent omnipotence

• Four hands represent the four directions and are also associated with mind, intellect, ego, and self-confidence
  
  

• Often depicted holding:

  • Scepter – associated with pouring oil into a sacrificial pyre, indicating he is Lord of the Sacrifices

  • Water pot – water is the essential element of life

  • Prayer beads – to keep track of time
    
    

Vishnu

• Vishnu is the preserver of the universe

• Protects the world from evil, represents mercy and goodness

• Believed to have come to earth in nine forms (avatars); 9th is The Buddha, 10th (Kalki) is yet to come

• Often depicted as blue, symbolizing his all-pervasive nature

• Has four arms to indicate omnipotence

• Two arms in the physical world, two in the spiritual world

• Three vertical lines on his forehead to symbolize he is part of the Trimurti

• Holds:

  • Discus and mace – represent strength and destroy materialistic/demonic tendencies

  • White conch shell – represents the 5 elements (water, fire, air, earth, sky/space)

  • Lotus flower – symbolizes spiritual liberation
    
    

Shiva

• Also known as Nataraj, the Lord of the Dance

• Dance of destruction represents creation and destruction, control and abandon, transcendence and immanence

• On a cosmic level, destruction is the prelude to recreation

• On a personal level, destruction removes bonds that hold the devotee to the cycle of rebirth

• Depicted as an ascetic sitting on a tiger skin in meditation

• Tiger skin symbolizes bravery and ability to overcome enemies

• Often shown unclad or in a loincloth to show he transcends the physical world

• Ganges River flows from his matted hair

• Snakes entwined in his hair and used as armlets/bracelets

• Has three horizontal lines on forehead symbolizing he is part of the Trimurti

• Has a third eye representing spiritual wisdom, power, and the destruction of evil

• One hand raised palm outward as a symbol of protection and blessing

• Vehicle is Nandi, the white bull, which symbolizes fertility
  
  

The Consorts

Saraswati

• Consort of Brahma

• Goddess of knowledge, music, the arts, and culture

• Often portrayed holding a musical instrument

• More popular than Brahma
  
  

Lakshmi

• Consort of Vishnu

• Goddess of wealth and prosperity (material and spiritual)

• Name derived from Sanskrit "Laksya" meaning 'aim' or 'goal'
  
  

Parvati (Durga & Kali)

• Consort(s) of Shiva

• Parvati is the mother goddess representing female energy and ultimate source of power

• Durga – warrior goddess with many arms, holding weapons to destroy evil/demons

• Kali – fierce destroyer of evil, ferocious form
  
  

Kali

• Fierce form of Parvati

• Shown wearing a necklace of human skulls

• Fanged teeth dripping with blood

• Many arms holding weapons – dangerous to enemies, protective to her children
  
  

Other Significant Deities

Ganesh

• God of good luck and new beginnings

• Remover of obstacles

• Stories vary: born with elephant head or given one after Shiva chopped off his human head
  
  

Krishna

• 8th incarnation of Vishnu

• Seen as god-child, prankster, model lover, and divine hero

• God of love

• Often depicted playing the flute or as a child
  
  

Prince Rama

• Widely regarded as the most important avatar of Vishnu

• Some consider him the supreme being

• Loved for courage and bravery in the Ramayana

• Fought demons and saved his wife Sita
  
  

Hanuman

• Prince Rama’s loyal and faithful servant

• Monkey god, child of the wind god

• Can grow 100x his size and jump over oceans

• Lifted a Himalayan mountain

• Leader of the monkey army

• One of the most respected deities in Hinduism
  
  

The Path to Moksha

The Goal of Hinduism

• The goal of Hindus is to achieve moksha and to unite the atman with Brahman

• Liberation (moksha) means being freed from the cycle of rebirths (samsara)

• Reunites the soul (atman) with the supreme God (Brahman)

• Escapes the illusion of the world (maya) 

How?

• Hindus must work their way up the ladder of existence

• Aim for a higher rebirth through:

• Achieving good karma

• Fulfilling their dharma

Karma

• Means “actions”

• Totality of one’s actions in life

• Determines the form an individual will take in the next life

• Bad karma = rebirth in a lower life form

• Good karma = rebirth in a higher life form, closer to moksha

Dharma

• Means “duties” or moral conduct

• Sanatana dharma – universal duties for all people

• Varnashrama dharma – specific duties based on age, caste, gender, and status

The Four Purusharthas

• Dharma – doing duties with compassion, absence of greed, cruelty, and jealousy

• Artha – earning wealth honestly to support one’s family

• Kama – enjoying love and physical pleasure in a moral way

• Moksha – leading the soul to salvation with honest actions

Yoga – Paths to Moksha

• Just like different routes to the same destination, there are many paths to Moksha

Karma Yoga (Path of Action)

• Doing good deeds selflessly

• Focused on the motive behind the action, not the result

• Must be done with a pure heart as a sacrifice to God

• “Do your best. Do not fear effort or criticism.”

Jnana Yoga (Path of Wisdom)

• Requires guidance of a guru

• Uses meditation to realize the true self

• Three steps:

  • 1. Sravanam – listening to teachings of Vedas and Upanishads

  • 2. Mananam – reflecting on what was heard

  • 3. Meditating – deep contemplation that leads to realization of Brahman

Bhakti Yoga (Path of Devotion)

• Based on love, faith, and surrender to God

• Most accessible path for ordinary people

• Worship, rituals, and prayer directed to a chosen deity

• Involves singing, chanting, and expressing love for God

Raja Yoga (Path of Meditation)

• Called the “royal road”

• Focuses on controlling the mind and body through meditation and rituals

• Turns physical and mental energy into spiritual energy

• Leads to a trance-like state where one experiences union with Brahman

• Source of the Western concept of yoga as exercise

Ashrama – The Four Stages of Life

• Stages define a person’s duties depending on age

• Women usually don’t enter last two stages

• Few men enter the last stage

Student (Brahmacharya)

• Discipline mind and body

• Gain knowledge

• Learn Hindu rituals and show respect to elders

Householder (Grihastha)

• Marry and raise a family

• Provide for and care for the family

• Give to charity and practice traditions

Forest Dweller (Vanaprastha)

• Retire and pass household duties to wife or son

• Study and go on pilgrimages

Ascetic (Sannyasa)

• Give up worldly life

• Wander, meditate, and focus on salvation

Caste System and Dharma

• A person’s dharma is influenced by:

• Stage of life (Ashrama)

• Caste system

• Four goals of life (Purusharthas)

• Path of yoga followed

The Caste System

What is the Caste System?

• A social structure used to designate social groups of extreme rigidity

• Composed of four varnas (castes), and from this a rank-order of subcastes (jati) was formed
  
  

History

• Began in India after the Aryans invaded and established their own rules

• Aryans did not allow marriage between their people and conquered cultures

• Unlike Romans who encouraged intermarriage

• Individuals and their children could not move between castes

• Birth or death did not provide escape

• Leaders believed the system was supernaturally ordained
  
  

What do the Shastras Say About Caste?

• An old Vedic hymn says humans were born from Brahma’s body parts

  • Brahmins (mouth): priests and teachers

  • Kshatriyas (arms): rulers and warriors

  • Vaishyas (thighs): farmers, traders, and skilled workers

  • Shudras (feet): unskilled workers
    
    

Bhagavad Gita

• Duties of each caste are based on qualities born of nature

• Brahmins: tranquility, penance, purity, forgiveness, knowledge, and belief in afterlife

• Kshatriyas: valor, courage, power, and responsibility in battle and justice

• Vaisyas: agriculture, cattle-tending, trade

• Shudras: service to others

• Performing one's own duties leads to spiritual perfection
  
  

Reincarnation, Karma, Dharma, and Laws of Manu

• Reincarnation: soul is reborn many times until pure enough for moksha

• Karma: next life’s social position depends on present conduct

• Dharma: set of moral and ethical rules for each caste

• Laws of Manu: sacred law with rules for daily life
  
  

How One’s Caste is Determined

Brahmin

• Highest caste: priests, teachers, judges, and landowners

• Entitled to study the Vedas and perform rituals

• Expected to live godly lives and pursue knowledge

• Help others achieve their dharma

• Can employ people of lower castes
  
  

Kshatriyas

• Warriors and rulers

• Protect the people, give gifts to Brahmins, offer sacrifices, study the Vedas, dispense justice

• Protect the caste system and social order
  
  

Vaisyas

• Traders, shopkeepers, moneylenders, farmers, artisans

• Tend cattle, offer sacrifices, study the Vedas, trade, lend money, farm

• Can perform Vedic rituals but cannot marry women of higher castes

• More populous than higher castes
  
  

Sudras

• Laboring class

• Only duty is to serve the other three castes

• Not required to follow Vedic rituals

• Not allowed to study or hear the Vedas

• Cannot eat with or marry into higher castes

• Most populous caste
  
  

Harijan (Untouchables)

• Outside the caste system

• Considered impure due to their religious practices and habits

• Not allowed to enter villages or walk where other castes do

• Even their shadow was considered bad luck

• Lived isolated, worked in graveyards, as butchers, or cleaned human waste

• Avoided by others due to fear of “pollution”
  
  

Gandhi: The Father of the Nation

• Led India to independence using non-violent civil disobedience

• Inspired global civil rights and freedom movements
  
  

Today

• Caste system was legally abolished in 1949

• Urban areas see weakened rigidity due to better laws

• Discrimination still common in rural areas

• Deeply ingrained in culture, society, and mindset
  
  

Reflect

• What are the positive aspects of the caste system in terms of social order, roles, and responsibilities?

• What are the social and ethical issues it caused (e.g. inequality, oppression)?

• How does it still affect education, employment, and social mobility today?

• What efforts have been made to fight caste discrimination in modern India and elsewhere?

Rituals and Symbols

Worship at Home

• The home is the center of a Hindu family’s religious life

• Every Hindu home has a shrine for worship

• The shrine may be a whole room or just a shelf or corner

• It includes images or pictures of the family’s chosen deity

• Shrines are decorated with lights and other items
  
  

Puja

• Usually done by the woman of the home

• In the morning, she lights a lamp to wake the deity

• Some also wash and dress the deity

• Flowers are offered and incense is burned

• Food is offered to the deity

• Hindus believe they should be clean before worship

• At the end of the day, the mother performs puja again

Prayer

• Hindus try to pray at least 3 times a day

• Two kinds of prayer:

  • Praising God for the gift of life

  • Asking God for something

• Prayers are chosen from holy books
  
  

Meditation

• Hindus may sit quietly and read scripture

• Often start the day with yoga or meditation
  
  

Worship at the Temple

• Hindu temple (mandir) is considered the home of God

• Each temple has a shrine for its specific deity

• Temple represents the universe with carvings of animals, humans, and gods

• Shaped like mountains, where gods are believed to live

• Central part is the “womb” where the image of god is kept

• Tower above represents the soul’s journey to moksha

• Shoes are removed before entering

• Some also wash their hands

• People stand or sit on the floor to pray

• Prayers can be silent or aloud; some sing or play instruments
  
  

Arti

• Daily ceremony performed by the priest

• Starts and ends with the blowing of a conch shell

• Offerings made to the deity: incense, fire, water

• Priest circles a lamp or candles in front of the images and worshippers

• Worshippers offer flowers, food, or money

• Priest gives prashad (blessed food) in return
  
  

Pilgrimage: Varanasi

• Hindus aim to visit Varanasi (on the Ganges River) at least once in their life

• City has 1500 temples

• Ganges River is believed to have fallen from heaven to earth

• Pilgrims bathe in the river to cleanse themselves of sin
  
  

Symbols

Om (AUM)

• Sacred sound and visual/oral representation of Brahman

• Contains pure knowledge

• Begins deep in the body and ends at the lips

• Chanted at the beginning and end of prayers and scripture readings

• Helps transcend thoughts and merge with Brahman

• 3 sounds represent the universe:

  • A – beginning

  • U – progress

  • M – dissolution
    
    

Swastika

• Symbol of auspiciousness and good fortune

• Represents Vishnu

• Symbolizes the wheel of life rotating around God
  
  

Forehead Markings

• Tilak – shows which deity is worshipped

  • Sandalwood = Vishnu

  • Ashes = Shiva

  • Red powder = Parvati

• Mark is worn between the eyes to represent the third eye (wisdom)

• Bindi – indicates marriage
  
  

Cow

• Considered sacred

• Represents all that is good and precious

• Featured in many myths

• Milk and butter used in rituals for atonement

• Many Hindus aim to be vegetarians