Hinduism: A Way of Life

1. Hinduism:A Way of Life

2. Hinduism Basics • World’s oldest organized religion. • 1 billion followers. • Does NOT have a specific founder, beginnings lie in the tradition of the Vedas. • It appears polytheistic, but it is not…. • Gods are merely different forms of the supreme god Brahman. • Hinduism is complex, sometimes contradictory, and reveals the nature of life.

3. Sacred Texts • The Vedas ~ Contain eternal truths that were revealed to wise men during the Vedic Age. • The Upanishads ~ Help to explain the ideas in the Vedas. • Ramayana • Mahabharata Epics used to explain moral laws of Hinduism as well as law codes.

4. Brahman • The nameless, formless and unlimited basic divine essence that fills the world. • All other Hindu gods and goddesses are forms of this one supreme god. • Only a few people can truly understand Brahman.

5. Overview of Hindu Gods/Goddesses • There are thousands of Hindu gods/goddesses. • We will focus on: • Brahma • Vishnu • Siva/Shiva • Ganesh • Hanuman The Hindu Trinity

6. Brahma • The “Creator” God • Creates the cycle of light and dark throughout the day. • Create the world and the human race by creating a goddess out of himself. • Usually shown with four heads, (and sometimes) 4 faces and arms. • Usually holds the 4 Vedas.

7. Vishnu • Preserver and protector of creation. • Preserves the universe and maintains cosmic order. • Embodiment of mercy and goodness. • Vishnu is seen in many different manifestations • Forms of the same god

8. Siva (Shiva) Goddess Ganga is trapped In Shiva’s hair to prevent The Ganges River from Flooding the world. • The destroyer of the world. • The god of change, which can be good. • Getting rid of bad habits. • Often represented in dance to represent the creation and destruction of universe • Cycle of birth, death and re-birth Final destruction of creation. Crushes the demon of ignorance.

9. Ganesh (Ganesha) • Human form with the head of an Indian elephant • Symbolizes perfection • Large head symbolizes wisdom and understanding. • Trunk = Strength • Right Tusk = Wisdom • Broken Left Tusk = Emotion • Conquer emotion with wisdom to attain perfection.

10. Atman • The essence of an individual person • Similar to the concept of a “soul.” • Each person’s atman (soul) is part of a larger, universal soul. • All humans are part of the same soul. • Because of this, atman and brahman are one and cannot be divided.

11. What is this a picture of?

12. Maya • The world known to our senses is an illusion. • Our senses will deceive us • Will bring us sorrow and pain. • We can be delivered from suffering if we can identify maya. (The illusions.) • Unfortunately this can take lifetimes. • People suffer from pain and sorrow because they pursue false goals, material riches and personal pleasure.

13. Role of Animals in Hinduism • Cows are seen as sacred • They provide the power for the plow, food, fuel and fertilizer. • 50% of Hindus are vegetarian. • Not a requirement for Hinduism • Recommended as a “purifying lifestyle.”

14. Role of Animals in Hinduism • Other animals play a key role in Hinduism. • Elephant, Monkeys, Turtles, Tigers, Snakes, Crocodiles, Rats, etc • Hindus have a strong belief in the sacredness of all forms of life • Many of their deities take the form of animals.

15. Sacredness of all life. . .

16. Reincarnation • Official name is “Samsara” • Cycle of birth, death and re-birth. • Refers to the rebirth of the soul, or when the soul enters the body of another being • Either human or animal • This stresses the importance of respecting all life forms. • The GOAL is to reach MOKSHA • Free the soul from the cycle of reincarnation & the soul can unite with Brahman.

17. Dharma • The fulfillment of one’s moral DUTY in this life so that the soul can make progress toward Moksha in the next life. • DUTIES & OBLIGATIONS refer to: • Obedience to caste rules and moral laws. • Offer hope of a better life in the future. • Encourage Hindus to behave morally.

18. Karma • Comes from the Sanskrit word for “To do” • It is the positive or negative force generated by a person’s actions that will determine his/her status in the next life. • Good deeds bring you happiness; evil deeds will bring you sorrow. • A person’s present situation is a result of deeds or misdeeds done in a past existence.

19. How does KARMA work? • People who fulfill their dharma are rewarded with good karma and are reborn into a higher social group. • If you don’t live a moral life, you will be reborn into a lower social group, or potentially animals or insects. • Do we see any examples of this in U.S. society?

20. The Goals of a Good Hindu: • Fulfill your DHARMA. • Be rewarded with good KARMA. • End cycle of SAMSARA (Reincarnation). • Attain salvation (Be saved by Brahman). • Enable your soul to reunite with the universal spirit, Brahman. This would be MOKSHA.

21. Why is the Ganges sacred? • Ganges is believed to be “life-giving” water. • Bathing in its water washes away sin. • To die along the banks assures eternal peace to the soul.

22. Funeral Rituals • For married persons, cremation is the norm. • Usually cremated on the bank of a river and the ashes are deposited in the river. • Family members remain in the home for 10 days (the length of time it takes for the soul of the deceased to acquire a new body).

23. Hindu Temples • The interior is highly decorated and colorful. • Idols to the Hindu gods are prominently displayed. • This is a house of worship, prayer and meditation.

24. Hinduism and the Swastika • Holy symbol that represents the creator god, Brahma. • It points in all 4 cardinal directions: N,S,E,W • Represents stability and groundedness • Used as a decoration for religious purposes.

25. Hinduism and the Swastika • Used to decorate temples, signs, and altars. • The use by Nazi went against the original intent. • Ancient Hindus used it for almost 5,000 years before Nazism even existed.

26. The Bindi • The bindi is a colored dot • It symbolizes the “Third Eye” • Focuses inward toward God. • Generally worn by women • Black representing that you are single and Red that you are married. • Nowadays, any color is accepted and is sometimes simply matched to clothing to be fashionable.

27. YOGA! • Physical and mental discipline to harmonize the body and the soul. • Goal is to shut out the illusionary world of maya and free the mind of bodily concerns.