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Hinduism, Lecture 1

Hinduism, Lecture 1. Circling the Banyan. The Banyan Tree. “Hinduism” Prototype. No Historical Founder—sanatana (“eternal”), no obvious unity Transcendent God, who can be worshipped in a variety of ways (one God/many gods).

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Hinduism, Lecture 1

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  1. Hinduism, Lecture 1 Circling the Banyan

  2. The Banyan Tree

  3. “Hinduism” Prototype • No Historical Founder—sanatana (“eternal”), no obvious unity • Transcendent God, who can be worshipped in a variety of ways (one God/many gods). • Bhakti (devotion) can help in a contingent way, but also may provide liberation (moksha) from actions (karma) and reincarnation (samsara). • Veda – Revere it or Supplant it, but it’s central. • Dharma – Law, Duty, Responsibility (varna-ashrama-dharma), but also renunciation (samnyasa).

  4. “Hinduism” Prototype, Continued: The Four Fours (3+1’s) • Four Castes (varna): Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, Shudra (but don’t forget Dalits) • Four Stages of Life (ashrama): Student, householder, forest-dweller, renunciant • Four Goals of Life: dharma, artha, kama, moksha • Four Great Gods: Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, Devi

  5. Hinduism: Major Periods • Formative Period, c. 2500-800 BCE • Speculative Period, c. 800-400 BCE • Epic & Puranic Period, c. 400 BCE – 600 CE • Medieval Period, c. 600-1500 CE • Modern Period, c. 1500 – Present • Mughals, British, & Modern Nation-State

  6. Hindu Scriptures • /ruti • Veda sa9hit1s • $g Veda (hymns and prayers) • S1ma Veda (hymns set to music) • Yajur Veda (sacrificial rituals) • Atharva (lesser rituals, local benefits) • Br1hma7as – Speculation on sacrifice • !ra7yakas & Upani=ads – Speculation on the ritual universe • Sm4ti • Epics & Pur17as, e.g. Mah1bh1rata and R1m1yana • S3tras & /1stras, e.g. Laws of Manu • Tantras & other ritual texts

  7. The “Integrative Vision” of the Upani=ads • Correlation • Emergence & Resolution • Hierarchy • Paradox • Cycles

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