Hinduism

1. Hinduism

2. The Origin Some 5,000 years ago, Hinduism began to emerge from early Aryan literature. This makes it the world’s oldest religion. Unlike the world’s other great religions, Hinduism has no founder.

3. The Goal The object of Hinduism is for the individual to achieve union with the “eternal spirit,” which Hindus call Brahman.

4. The Nature of Brahman Although Hindus believe that Brahman is so far beyond the natural or rational world that it cannot be defined, limitless efforts have been made to describe the Eternal Spirit and its relationship to the world. Dozens of sects have been developed in order to interpret aspects of Brahman.

5. Gurus Countless Gurus (or teachers) endlessly discuss the meaning of Brahman. There are a billion Hindus in the world today. Over 900 million live in India and Nepal.

6. Unity in Diversity How do we study a religion with no founder, no date of origin, no clergy, no defined creed, no sabbath, etc.? There is an underlying unity within this diversity.

7. First Topic: Hindu Deities On the surface, it appears that Hindus are polytheistic; however, in reality they are monotheistic. Each deity is only a manifestation of the indefinable Brahman.

8. A Hindu can worship (puja) water, a rock, a tree, etc. These are all manifestations of Braham and can help the individual get close to the “eternal spirit.”

9. Purpose of Hindu Deities These deities help the individual identify with the indefinable Brahman and aids the person in his quest for unity (moksha) with the eternal spirit.

10. The Hindu Trinity The three most commonly worshipped deities are Brahma (the creator), Vishnu (the preserver) and Shiva (the destroyer). • There are an incredible number of other gods that assume various forms. • Nonetheless, they all spring from man’s desire to identify with Brahman.

11. Trimurti The three main forms or manifestations of Brahman, the Supreme Spirit or Power of the universe. Brahma represents the creative aspects of Brahman, Vishnu the sustaining aspects and Shiva the destructive aspects. As the creator of the world whose four heads and four arms represent the four points of the compass, it may be thought that Brahma would have a dominant role within Hinduism. But though he represents one of the three main forms of Brahman, he is very much subordinated to Vishnu, who represents the sustaining aspect of Brahman and Shiva who represents the destructive aspect.

12. Focus on Shiva One of the most commonly worshipped deities is Shiva. His most famous form is the Nataraja (Lord of the Dance). (text reading 129-131)

13. The Bottom Line on Hindu Deities Hindus can worship whatever deities or objects they chose. (There might be millions of gods!) The deity is a vehicle to help them get closer to Brahman. These gods have sprung from man’s desire to identify himself with the “indefinable.” Thus, the multitude of deities are simply manifestation of the “one.”

14. Second Topic: Hindu Philosophy Although everything in the physical world dies, life is continually being reborn and renewed.

15. There are also recurring phenomena like the seasons cycles and those of the sun and moon.

16. Further, life changes from lower forms to higher forms.

17. These observations give rise to the to the idea of reincarnation (samsara). This means that though individual creatures (of which man is the highest form) must die, they are reborn again and again. This continues until they (atman) are pure and perfect enough to become one (moksha) with Brahmin, their spiritual source.

18. Hindus draw another conclusion: because the physical world is temporal . . .

19. Maya . . . all hopes and desires that depend on earthly fulfillment will meet frustration. The things of this world are mere illusions (maya). The desire to attain these illusions leads to the suffering in this world.

20. Peace is found only by giving up earthly desires, such as striving for wealth and power, and by merging self with the one enduring reality, Brahman. This union is sought through puja (worship) and dharma, or right action. Dharma always includes purity, charity, self-control, truth, nonviolence and compassion toward all living creatures.

21. Third Topic: Renunciation(Why was Kenny wrong when he said, “ There is no grandeur in want – or in endurance.?”) Although many Indian work, amass wealth, marry and behave as other people, the truly religious Hindu has only one desire: withdrawal from the world. The vast majority of Indians see renunciation as something to be admired.

22. The lure of asceticism is so strong that some Hindus leave their homes and become sadhus (monks).

23. Yoga“yoking or union with God” The discipline of becoming a holy man is called yoga. One who practices yoga is called a “yogi.” Note: Yoga is NOT a form of exercise. It is a spiritual experience that brings the individual closer to Brahman. (Reading- pp. 120-128)

24. The Maharishi Yogi died February 5, 2008 Body control is pursued by some yogis as a step toward the more difficult disciplines of the mind. Many yogic endeavors have nothing to do with the body.

25. In the highest state of meditation, the yogi has risen above all sense perceptions (maya). He is beyond family, country, religion, good, evil, time and space. He is even beyond himself. At this point the goal of moksha is in sight: the soul is free and ready to escape from the cycle of samsara.

26. Topic Four: The Meaning of Death A great event in a A great event in a Hindu’s spiritual life is his death.

27. For death is a doorway beyond which perfect men may find moksha, and good men a chance for rebirth on a higher plane.

28. The ideal Hindu death is in the city of Varanasi. As they near death, Hindus bathe in the Ganges and are cleansed on their sins.

29. After death they are taken to the burning ghatsand are cremated on a funeral pyre. www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hqhMQgEB1I

30. The ashes are then thrown into the Ganges. Relatives offer prayers of peace for the souls (atman) of the dead.

31. For Hindus, all phases of life are joyous, even death; thus, Varanasi has a festive air. For though it is a “city of death,” it is the place where the atman reenters union with God. Reading 132-136

32. Topic Five: The Caste System Caste is a socio-economic division of society. The Brahmin caste is intellectual and priestly.

33. Below the Brahmins are the Kshatriyas. This varna is traditionally made up of warriors and leaders.

34. Vaishyas are primarily merchants and farmers (landowners).

35. The last varna is the Shudras who perform manual labor.

36. The varnas are divided into subcastes known as jatis.

37. Outside of all levels are the untouchables (harijans or dalits). This group has long been the victims of discrimination as they are viewed as unclean. Ironically, even this group has an extensive hierarchy.

38. Karma For Hindus, caste is the function of karma, the cosmic law of cause and effect. According to karma, a person’s present status depends on how he lived in a previous existence; he will reborn in the future according to the way he has followed his dharma in this life.

39. Spiritual development is the goal of all living forms.

40. Topic Six: The Place of Animals in Hinduism Hindus consider all living creatures to be a part of God..

41. This reverence is expressed in ahimsa, nonviolence and compassion towards all living things.

42. A variety of animals are considered especially sacred to Hindus including cows and even rats! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KV32swMaDr4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35Yd1IxmrhA (cows) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KV32swMaDr4 (rats)

43. Conclusion Hinduism is a religion rich in life, color and emotions. To Hindus, the world is Brahman’s creation and this life provides the individual the opportunity to seek the “one.”