The World

1. The World • cycles of expansion and collapse big bang black holes island universes

2. Cycles • Water cycle • Seasons • Death - Life • Creation - Destruction

3. Good and Bad • Hindus do not judge in moral terms • short term versus long term

4. Nature • Use and cooperate with nature • No need to conquer natural world (as Westerners do)

5. Ram Mohan Roy (1772-1833) • Reformer of Hinduism who helped to create modern India • Founder of Brahmo Samaj (Society of God) • Unitarian

6. Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948) A man respected for his simple lifestyle, high thinking and fearless attitude.

7. Trained as a lawyer in Britain • An advocate for the “colored” • minorities in South Africa • He was involved in India’s • struggle for independence • from Britain. • Worked for the welfare of • “untouchables”

8. He believed that the practice of • nonviolence as part of the • Hindu tradition was the key to • human survival. • Gandhi fasted, was a vegetarian, and was celibate in order to “free his spirit from bodily constraints, to prepare a vessel fit for the inspiration of God”

9. Two doctrines • Ahisma- nonviolence • Satyagraha- “truth force” 

10. Problems for Humans • Soul • Karma • Wheel of rebirth • Individual choice

11. The Solution Reconciliation with the Absolute Overcoming the pulls of life Different paths for different people; all equal Some people ask the assistance of a deity.

12. The Absolute • The highest reality that precedes all else, on which everything is dependent. • Believe in many Gods • Reason is it is better to have people choose among images of many gods than to leave them unable to feel any devotion for an abstract principle. • Some prefer one image or god to another • ex. Either Shiva or Vishnu • Many prefer one of the more personal deities • ex. Kali or Krishna

13. Absolute Cont’d • Few images of Brahman are found. • It is understood that Niguna Brahman is the ground of all gods. • Henotheism- emphasizes one superior god in the presence of lesser gods. • Reality embraces all experiences • Behind all phenomena there is a source of energy that makes it possible. • This can be experienced in a variety of ways. • No one way in itself is complete.

14. Rituals & Symbols 4 Steps to complete obligations of a Hindu 1)Samskaras -most important ritual -the sacraments or rites by which a Hindu is fully integrated into the community 2)Upanayana -initiation rite indicating that a boy is a twice-born person -beginning of the student stage -must wear a janeu, sacred thread to remain in his caste

15. Cont’d • 3) Vivaha • -marriage, rite of entry into the 2nd stage or ashram, that of householder • 4) Antyesti • -funerals, last rites • -most cremated in a shraddha, a wooden casket created by oldest brother • Between these major sacraments, Hindus practice many rituals and use many symbols. • Hindu worship in temples can be individual or congregational.

16. Cont’d • Worship may be assisted by a priest. • Worshippers may recite Vedic hymns, light candles or other sacred flame, offer pure food to the gods, offer money to be used for religious purposes, and comment on a guru’s insights regarding duties. • The tank at the temple is used for ritual bathing.

17. Cont’d • Puja is a form of worship that an individual addresses to the image of one pair of deities. • Examples of ritual festivals are: -Raksasbandhana -Vijayadasami -Deepavali -Holi

18. Common Beliefs • The evolution of the physical world • Energy • Matter • The law of karma and rebirth • God working with in us

19. Common Beliefs con’t. • The four-fold goal of human life • Dharma • Artha • Kaama • Mokshha

20. Reincarnation • Fundamentals • Jiva • Ego • Physical body • Surface consciousness consisting of innumerable desires • Impulses

21. Reincarnation cont’d • Deeds determine direction • Philosophies • Life on earth did not emerge suddenly… • Souls cannot fee itself completely free itself and unite with its Creator…