Presentation Transcript

1. Hindu Teachings &Sacred Texts (Part 2)

   Rels 120 24 Sep 2013
2. Upanishads Collection of texts in the Sanskrit language Also transmitted in oral form Composed in 900 BCE to 300 CE Philosophical discussions about the human quest for ultimate reality and truth rels 120 - appleby
3. Other post-Vedic sacred texts Puranas– ancient stories of millions of deities and their manifestations to humanity; emphasis on devotional faith (bhakti) towards gods and goddesses Each Hindu searches for a deity that “fits” his or her spiritual form and maturity Establish a personal relationship with deity as a focus for one’s devotion and meditation, and as a channel of divine grace Devotional acts = listening, singing, worshipping, praying, chanting mantras and self-surrender rels 120 - appleby
4. Multiple gods and goddesses All the deities are manifestations of the one ultimate reality; ultimate reality is beyond human comprehension Most popular Hindu deities: Ganesh; Shiva; Vishnu (and his 10 main incarnations [avatars]); Rama; Krishna; Devis (goddesses): Ambika, Sita, Sati, Shitala/Ajima, Durga, Kali Gods possess energies: male shakta,female shakti; balance and complete one another Hindu deities are therefore often partnered rels 120 - appleby
5. Trimurti The Hindu Ultimate Divinity, Brahman, “assumes” 3 main forms: Brahma – the Creator Vishnu – the preserver Shiva – the destroyer The 3 deities are “incarnations” of Brahman,the Ultimate Reality Each of the Deities includes both the male and female divine energies The sacred poems of the Puranatell the stories of the gods Hindus demonstrate devotional faith, bhakti, to a specific deity which symbolizes worship of the Ultimate Divinity rels 120 - appleby
6. Brahman the Absolute Ultimate Reality source of all manifestation unconditioned nirguna Being-Consciousness-Bliss “The Creator” Brahma & Sarasvati (work of creation is finished) kingly conditioned with characteristics saguna “The Preserver” Vishnu & Lakshmi Avatars of Vishnu & Lakshmi = Rama / Sita Krishna / Radha “The Destroyer” Shiva & Kali / Paravati depicted by lingam/yoni dual attributes male (ascetic, contemplative) female (active energy, shakti) rels 120 - appleby
7. Within Hinduism, 3 major groups follow these 3 most significant incarnations Vishnudevotees = Vaishnavites Shivadevotees = Shaivites Devotees of the Goddess, DEVI = Shaktas (from shakti,divine female energy) rels 120 - appleby
8. What is Hinduism? Video resources HINDUISM TODAY (journal and website with many online resources); http://www.hinduismtoday.com/ Kauai's Hindu Monastery A traditional Saivite Hindu monastery-temple complex on Hawaii's Garden Island dedicated to the divine within everyone and all things God, Soul and World – episode 1 of “What is Hinduism” (27:46) http://www.hinduismtoday.com/modules/xoopstube/singlevideo.php?cid=24&lid=37 rels 120 - appleby
9. Brahma Lord Brahmasymbolizes the aspect of the Supreme Reality that brings forth the creation - Brahma the Creator of the universe. He is the first member of the Hindu Trinity that also includes Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. His divine consort is Sarasvati, the Goddess of learning and knowledge. rels 120 - appleby
10. Vishnu Vishnu’s consort is Lakshmi, the goddess of material well-being rels 120 - appleby
11. Vishnu’s 10 incarnations (some sources list 24) Matsya (fish)---saves Sage Manu from floods and recovers the Vedas from demons Kurma (tortoise)---sustains the earth on his back Varaha (boar)---brings the earth back from the bottom of the ocean Narasimha (man-lion)---kills the demon King Hiranyakashipu Vamana (dwarf)---the first human incarnation of Vishnu; kills the demon King Mahabhali Parasurama (the warrior with an axe)---saves Brahmins from the tyranny of the Kshatriyas Ramakills Ravana, the demon king of Lanka, in the Ramayana Sri (Lord) Krishnathe most popular incarnation; Krishna's contributions throughout his life include the teachings of the BhagavadGita to Arjuna BuddhaHindus consider Buddha as an incarnation of Lord Vishnu and accept his teachings, but do not directly worship him Kalkin (a man on a white horse)---this incarnation is yet to come and will mark the end of all evil in the world rels 120 - appleby
12. Lord Shiva Shiva and Paravati Recreates the cyclic process of creation, preservation, dissolution and recreation of the universe rels 120 - appleby
13. The Goddesses (Devi) - shakti Goddess Durgapreserves moral order by destroying evil forces such as selfishness, jealousy, prejudice, hatred, anger, and ego rels 120 - appleby
14. Goddess Lakshmi Lakshmiprovides Shiva with wealth for the maintenance and preservation of the creation rels 120 - appleby
15. Goddess Kali Kali and Lord Shiva Kali destroys the ego and brings liberation rels 120 - appleby
16. Mahabharata Epic poem composed by Vyasa Composed about 900 BCE; first transmitted in oral form; remains the longest known poem Tells the story of 5 warrior princes (brothers) and the war between two families, the Kauravas and the Pandavas Krishnaexplains that each soul is born into a specific role that must be fulfilled in that life Surrender to the divine will is required in each life; one’s role is predestined by the gods; each person’s dharmais pre-established In the Mahabharata, Krishnaacts as advisor to the Pandavas and charioteer to the prince rels 120 - appleby
17. BhagavadGita(The Song of the Lord) BhagavadGitais part of the Mahabharata Composed about 100 CE Krishna explains the reincarnation cycle of life, death and rebirth to Arjuna – also called the transmigration of souls Krishna describes the way a person’s actions in one life influences their rebirth into a subsequent life Good thoughts and actions lead to a better life Bad thoughts and actions lead to a less advantageous life As good karma increases through reincarnations, a person moves toward liberation or salvation Krishnareveals himself to Arjuna as the Absolute Deity rels 120 - appleby
18. Krishna (avatar of Vishnu) Krishna and Radha(avatar of Lakshmi) rels 120 - appleby
19. Ramayana Epic poem composed by Valmiki Composed about 500 BCE Transmitted orally for centuries Story of a Prince named Rama Battles and defeats an evil demon named Ravanawho has kidnapped the princess Sita Rama returns to his home in the city of Ayodhya Annual festival of Diwalicelebrates Rama’s return with Sita rels 120 - appleby
20. Talking Book – Ramayana (9:14)http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xvcuav_talking-book-ramayana_school?search_algo=2 Ravana – a demon living in a forest RAMA – a young man, an incarnation of VISHNU & a son of King Dasharatha Lakshmana – Rama’s brother SITA – young woman who marries RAMA Rama & Sita are banished from the kingdom; Lakshmana goes with them into the forest. Ravana kidnaps Sita; Rama and Lakshmana seek her. They encounter Hanuman – leader of the monkey warriors. Great battle between Ravana’s & Rama’s warriors. Rama kills Ravana. Rama, Sita, Lakshma & Hanuman return to the kingdom where Rama is made King. rels 120 - appleby
21. Rama and Sita Rama (ideal man) Sita (devoted daughter, wife, mother and queen) Lakshman(brother) Hanuman (monkey king) rels 120 - appleby
22. Lord GaneshaGod of wisdom, strength and prosperity rels 120 - appleby
23. Diwali celebration in Halifax rels 120 - appleby
24. Ganesha (Halifax Temple) rels 120 - appleby
25. Recommended Films on India To experience the land, people and history of India, a number of films may be useful. Any of these, rented from a video store or borrowed from a library, will add to your understanding of religious dynamics in India. The Story of India (BBC, http://www.pbs.org/thestoryofindia/ (6-part series, see part 1) – the website is also fabulous Earth, a film by Deepa Mehta, 1998, 110 minutes Gandhi, a film by Richard Attenborough, 1982, 191 minutes India Reborn, Part 1, “Myth and Might,” CBC 52:29 minutes; watch the documentary online at: http://www.cbc.ca/video/#/Shows/Doc_Zone/India_Reborn/1242370730/ID=1233748267 rels 120 - appleby