Hinduism

1. Hinduism Dr. Ashok Agarwal Victoria Hindu Temple

2. Outline • Introduction • Hinduism and humanity • Respect for Earth • Science and religion • Hinduism in the community • Recent changes

3. What are the four aims? • Hindus organize their lives around certain activities or "purusharthas." These are called the "four aims of Hinduism.“ • Dharma: righteousness in their religious life • Artha: success in their economic life; material prosperity • Kama: gratification of the senses; pleasure; sensual, sexual, and mental  enjoyment • Moksha: Liberation from "samsara,"  

4. What is “Om” and its importance? • "Om" is a holy word often spoken during the practice of any Hindu rites. • Represents the trinity of three supreme Gods • Brahma – the creator • Vishnu – the preserver • Shiva – the destroyer • Reincarnations of Lord Vishnu • Lord Rama (Ramayana) • Lord Krishna (Mahabharata and the Gita) • Gita narrates the meaning of life, karma, moksha, atma, and parmatma Man is mortal…the soul is immortal!

5. What is meditation, bhakti, sadhana or devotion? • It is essentially a language of love • This alone can give us the bliss of God-realization • Sadhana serves to attract the devotee’s attention to the Lord • This makes the devotee free from sorrow and suffering, and reveals Himself (God) before the devotee

6. What is yoga? • Method of keeping us in control of our body, mind and actions • One must master these four types of yoga • Jnana yoga – the path of knowledge • Bhakti yoga – the path of devotion • Karma yoga – the path of action • Raja yoga – the path based on control of one’s actions and thoughts • Having learned these, the body can be detached from the soul. • Achieve union with the supreme self or God.

7. 10 Common Hinduism Questions • Why does Hinduism have so many Gods? • Hindus all believe in one Supreme God who created many Gods, highly advanced spiritual beings, to be His helpers • Do Hindus believe in reincarnation? • Yes, we believe the soul (without body) is immortal and takes birth again and again. • What is Karma? • Karma is the universal principal of cause and effect. Both good and bad karma not only decide our fate (sorrow and happiness) in the present life, but also in future life.

8. 10 Common Hinduism Questions • Why do Hindus worship the cow? • By honoring this gentle animal, who gives more than she takes, we honor other creatures as well. • Are Hindus idol worshipers? • We worship God through the image so that we can commune with Him and receive His blessings. • Are Hindus forbidden to eat meat? • Hindus teach vegetarianism as a way of life to not hurt living creatures. • Do Hindus have a Bible? • Our “Bible” is called the Veda which means “wisdom” and which reveals the word of God.

9. 10 Common Hinduism Questions • Why do many Hindus wear a dot near the middle of their forehead? • It represents a divine sight and shows that one is a Hindu. • Are the Gods of Hinduism really married? • It is true that God is often depicted with a spouse in traditional stories, a symbol of love between husband and wife. • What about caste and untouchability? • Caste is the hereditary division of Indian society based on occupation (priests, warriors, business people, and workers). The lowest caste, untouchables, suffer from discrimination. It is now illegal in India.

10. Hinduism and Humanity • Code of Conduct • Nonviolence (ahimsa) • Truthfulness • Patience • Compassion • Honesty • Purity • Giving • Faith in God

11. Hinduism and Humanity • According to Mahatma Gandhi, love, sacrifice and truthfulness leads to comfort and pleasure in everyday life. • Gandhi’s use of nonviolence was a strong weapon in achieving India’s independence • Pluralism • Hinduism promotes not only tolerance and respect for differences in belief and religion, but also acceptance of those paths as legitimate

12. Respect for Earth • Hinduism teaches us the need to care for the Earth and all its beings by not killing animals and plants • Hindus worship mountains, oceans and the planets as God, to give respect for both earthly and heavenly things • Vegetarianism has been advocated for many centuries. • According to reincarnation all souls upon death are reborn in another body. Hence there is no difference between an animal soul and a human soul. We should respect every soul.

13. Science and Religion God Religion

14. Science and Religion • Science and spirituality are the two different ways of seeking answers to life's questions • Technology and religion are to make living and dying more comfortable • Hinduism + Science sometimes agree and sometimes don’t • Hindus believe that the body dies, but the soul never dies; science disagrees. • Hindu astrology accurately maps the positions of heavenly bodies

15. Hinduism in the Community • Community temple brings together people to share ideas and knowledge • Most Hindu knowledge is transferred by word of mouth at community gatherings • Children learn through cultural games, crafts and stories • Priest presents insight into various religious beliefs and practices • Prayers and devotional songs are sung • In Victoria we have the Victoria Hindu Temple • We meet every week on Saturday evenings and provide dinner after prayer • Everyone is welcome

16. Recent Changes • Traditional Hinduism • Derives origins from Aryans • Basic ideas are from the Vedas • Modern Hinduism • Hinduism has no notion of conversion (born Hindu) • Preserve existing beliefs and ideologies • Self-defensive, self-assertive, and even aggressive • More worldwide acceptance of Hindu ideologies • Spread of yoga, nonviolence and vegetarianism • Organizations such as ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness), and Ramakrishna Mission

17. Final Thoughts • Hinduism is a whole and complete view of life, characterized by wide tolerance and deep humanity. • It is a religion of love, goodness, kindness, and sacrifice. • It welcomes all religions. • “Giving rather than taking in life” should be our motto to bring peace and harmony in this modern world.