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Hinduism

Hinduism. The Ultimate Reality: Theistic Hinduism . The Ultimate Reality: Theistic Hinduism. Theistic Hinduism God/gods/goddesses as personal is ultimate reality Ultimate reality is thus personal Personal god is identified w/ Brahman Gods not caught in samsara

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Hinduism

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  1. Hinduism The Ultimate Reality: Theistic Hinduism

  2. The Ultimate Reality:Theistic Hinduism • Theistic Hinduism • God/gods/goddesses as personal is ultimate reality • Ultimate reality is thus personal • Personal god is identified w/Brahman • Gods not caught in samsara • God is the highest level of truth (contrast w/Shankara) • Looking for union w/God • bhakti • Does not necessarily mean liberation • Can be place where God abides • Thus may not want to attain complete liberation • Point is self-surrender to these gods in love

  3. Theistic Hinduism (cont.) • See esp. thinker Ramanuja (1017-1137C.E.) • Bridge between non-dualism of Shankara w/personal devotion to God • Promoted bhakti • Within Brahman, ‘qualitative distinction between the soul, the world and the highest Lord.’ Ludwig

  4. Prominent gods/goddesses • Traditionally 330 million gods • Also of importance are female consorts of the gods • Shakti (śakti) • creative force • Indian civilization female thought of as more active; male more more passive • Avatars – human incarnations of gods (mostly of Vishnu • Gods who are especially objects of devotion:

  5. Prominent gods/goddesses: Trimurti • Trimurti {‘the One or Whole with Three Forms’) • Brahma – the creator • Does not have a major cult of worship unlike Vishnu & Shiva • Vishnu – maintainer, protector, preserver • Shiva – destroyer • Trimurti essential to Hindu pantheon • As symbolic of the ultimate One expressed in diversity

  6. Preserver & protector of creation Righteous king Symbols Mace=token of royal power discus-=invincible weapon given by Indra Lotus= his role in creation Conch= announces victory over chaos Visnu

  7. Vishnu (cont.) • Lakshmi – consort • Goddess of wealth and good fortune • But also worshipped as goddess, not just in relation to Vishnu • In Bhagavad Gita Vishnu is highest lord; transcends samsara

  8. Vishnu (cont.) • 10 avatars • In his incarnations Vishnu defeats threat of evil and re-establishes order • 7th -Rama (consort=Sita) • Rama as ideal man & ruler • Sita as ultimate model of womanhood • As warrior Rama defeats demon Ravana • Relationship of Rama and Sita represents ideal of conjugal love • 8th - Krishna (consort=Radha) • Charioteer & advisor to Arjuna • Reveals true nature as supreme god • Love and joy • Gopis • Relationship of Krishna and Radha symbolize intimate union • 9th –Buddha • 10th- Kalki -has yet to appear

  9. Shiva Destroyer Destruction in anticipation of regeneration Becomes identified with Brahman as primary principle Other gods manifestations of that principle As with other identifications of god w/ultimate Shiva the ascetic Shiva

  10. Deity of contrasts; Unity of polarities Nirguna-saguna Male-female Destructive-creative Renunciant-householder Ascetic-erotic Beneficiant-horrific Male (Shiva)- female (shakti) Embraces & transcends all Is simultaneously with and without attributes Shiva (cont.)

  11. Shiva Nataraja

  12. Emblem is the lingam Joining of the lingam and the yoni

  13. Shiva has 3 shaktis: Parvati Upholds social order of dharma Devoted wife Rarely independent of Shiva Most benevolent of Shiva’s shaktis Moderates the excesses of Shiva Through Pavarti, Shiva realizes his full potential Shiva & Pavarti Shiva & His Shaktis:Pavarti

  14. Durga Both with Shiva and independent of Shiva Collective shakti of all the gods; very powerful; what the gods can do collectively, she can do herself Defies stereotype of the devoted wife Warrior; destroyer of demons Durga Shiva and His Shaktis:Durga

  15. Kali Most ferocious manifestation of Shiva’s shakti Most concentrated form of the wrath of Durga Worshipped independently as well as w/Shiva Destroyer and eater of demons Annihilates human ignorance Destroys cosmos at cosmic level Destructiveness with intent Clears away obstructions to make room for enlightenment Kali Shiva & His Shaktis:Kali

  16. Kali (cont.) • Power unchecked by the male principle is potentially dangerous • A distinction between channeled/controlled energy and unchanneled/uncontrolled energy • Thus power of woman can be creative or destructive depending on how power is channeled • All of Shiva’s shaktis are different dimensions of same goddess- Mahadevi • Male principle is powerless, impotent without his shakti • It is through the power of their shaktis that gods act • Highest level of divine is beyond male or female; rather both are incorporated

  17. Kali: Ramakrishna • Influential follower of Kali- Ramakrishna • 19th cent. • All religions are true; one’s religion in one’s time and place is the best expression of truth

  18. Devi (Mahadevi) • Devi • Goddesses as diverse manifestations of the one Goddess • Divine creative energy • Active • Can be shakti • Female personification of Shiva’s energy (shakti) • Often worshipped under name of Kali or Dhurga • Creative and nurturing but also destructive as part of necessity of relationship between creation & destruction

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