HiNdUiSm

1. HiNdUiSm "When you hear about the Self, meditate upon the Self, and finally realize the Self,  you come to understand everything in life." -BrihadaranyakaUpanisad4.5

2. Klaus L. Klostermaier, • Hinduism has proven much more open than any other religion to new ideas, scientific thought, and social experimentation. Many concepts like reincarnation, meditation, yoga and others have found worldwide acceptance. It would not be surprising to find Hinduism the dominant religion of the twenty-first century. It would be a religion that doctrinally is less clear-cut than mainstream Christianity, politically less determined than Islam, ethically less heroic than Buddhism, but it would offer something to everybody. It will appear idealistic to those who look for idealism, pragmatic to the pragmatists, spiritual to the seekers, sensual to the here-and-now generation. Hinduism, by virtue of its lack of an ideology and its reliance on intuition, will appear to be more plausible than those religions whose doctrinal positions petrified a thousand years ago.

4. Oldest and most complex religion • Very ancient and immensely complex • Name derived from Sanskrit name for river Indus, Sandhu • Muslim conquerors used “hindu” for all Indians who refused to convert to Islam • British colonists used “hindu” the same way 2. Origins in 3rd millennium B.C.E. 3. Includes almost any style of religion ever known to humanity, millions of major and minor gods 4. Several distinct schools of thought, no identifiable founder

5. Oldest and most complex religion • B. Hinduism is the source of three other religions 1. Jainism 2.Buddhism 3. Sikhism 4. Hinduism survives as mainstream religion of India by absorbing and assimilating potential rivals

6. Origins of Hinduism • A. Pre-Aryan India before Aryan migration in second century B.C.E • Native Peoples of India had many highly developed cities along the Indus river valley • Pre-Aryan Indian civilization had written language • Pre-Aryan India had developed religion that might be source of some later Hindu Gods and Practices (may represent largest political empire before Romans)

7. Origins of hinduism • B. The coming of the Aryans • Aryans Migrate into India through Persia (modern Iran) between 1750 and 1200 B.C.E. • Aryan: Sanskrit word meaning “noble ones” • Similarities between Persian Zorastrianism and early Hindu Vedic Literature • Early migrants were nomadic shepherds

8. Early Aryan Civilization in India sixth century B.C.E. • The rajas develop minor kingdoms • Aryan civilization develops into four basic classes, or varnas(basis for later caste system) • Kshatriyas- Chieftans and warriors • Brahmins- Priests • Vashiyas- Commoners and Merchants • Shudras-Conquered pre-Aryan peoples who are servants and/or slaves of Aryans

9. Aryan Religion • 1. Difficult to discern pure Aryan religion from Vedic literature • Aryans were polytheistic had animistic roots, personified natural forces (storm, sun, moon, soil) • Chief manner of worship is sacrifice • Animals, food, drink, plants sacrificed • Vedas have extravagant formulas for sacrifices • Aryan horse sacrifice is most expensive and elaborate of any other religion

10. The Vedic Era • Oldest and most sacred books of Hinduism • Basic source of the Hindu understanding of universe, all later texts seen as commentary • Veda means knowledge or sacred wisdom • Uncertainty regarding time of composition • Oral tradition probably started before Aryans • Aryans created sacred texts • Written in Vedic, predecessor of Sanskrit

11. Four Basic Vedas • Rig-Veda: Collection of over 1,000 Hymns to Aryan Gods, containing their basic Mythology • Yajur-Veda: Collection of rites and material to be recited during sacrifices to the gods • Sama-Veda: collection of chants and verses from basic hymns sung by priest at sacrifices • Atharva-Veda: collection of rituals and prayers for domestic use and incantations to ward off evil

12. Four Basic Parts of Vedic Books • Hymns (Mantras) to the gods, Considered to be the most ancient material in the Vedic literature • Ritual Materials (Brahmanas) • Forest treatises (Aranyakas) materials for hermits • Philosophical Materials (Upanishads)

13. Contributions of the Vedas http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/expedition-week/articles/facts-cow-urine-cure/

14. • He whose proposed actions are never obstructed by heat or cold, fear of attachment, prosperity or adversity, is considered wise. • He that understands quickly, listens patiently, pursues his objects with judgment and not from desire and spends not his breath on the affairs of others without being asked, is said to possess the foremost mark of wisdom. • Those who do not strive for objects that are unattainable, that do not grieve for what is lost and gone, that do not suffer their minds to be clouded amid calamities, are regarded to possess intellects endued with wisdom. • He who strives, having commenced anything, till it is completed, who never wastes his time, and who has his soul under control, is regarded wise. •  He who exults not at honours, and grieveth not at slights, and remaineth cool and unagitated like a lake in the course of Ganga, is reckoned as wise. • He who speaketh boldly, can converse on various subjects, knows the science of argumentation, possesses genius, and can interpret the meaning of what is written in books, is reckoned as wise.

15. Most Important Gods in the Vedas • Indra- God of the thunderbolt, clouds, rain, and ruler of heaven; Object of most hymns in Vedic literature. Indra conquers Vritra, the personification of Chaos

16. Important Gods, Cont. • Agni-god of fire, priests, and priest of the gods

17. Important Gods • Varuna, God who presides over the order of the universe and who forgives sins Rides a monster fish called Makara with the head and legs of an antelope. He carries a noose in one of his four hands.

18. Important Gods • Vishnu and Rudra/Shiva receive only minor attention in Vedic books but later becomes major god in Hinduism

19. Ancient Art http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2008/01/india-ancient-art/map-interactive.html

20. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMjcsEa-pKo

21. The Upanishads 1. Collection of about 200 Vedic philosophical treaties 2. Fourteen principle Upanishads 3. Upanishads place in Vedas: • Genre differs from rest of the Vedas • Monist- The only reality is Brahman- He is eternal, infinite, unknowable, sexless, impersonal • It is false knowledge/Illusion (maya) to consider one’s self/soul (atman) or anything, separate from Brahman • Teach meditation, not sacrifice as means of worship

22. Upanishads Cont. • Overcoming ignorance (avidya) and illusion (maya), not performing rituals and sacrifice, is meaning of life • All acts (karma) have spiritual consequences • Wandering soul/life force after death into new body (samsara) • Goal of life: Break cursed cycle of Karma and samsara and attain freedom/release (moksha) • Becoming one with Brahman: OM

23. The Law of Manu 1.Ethical text written between 300 B.C.E. and 300 C.E. 2. Illustrates ethical and social standards held as ideals during the classical era of Indian history 3. Reveals roots of social and religious traditions of modern Hinduism 4. The varna system • Each caste has own proper duties (dharma) a. Members of lower caste can gradually move up to higher rank through reincarnation if dharma is observed b. People could also move down in rank, even to animal or plant if commit evil of body, spirit, or mind

24. Caste System http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oh_xvKLhZHg

25. Law of Manu Cont. • Upper caste males expected to pass through four stages in life • Student of the vedas • Marriage within the caste and head household • Retreat from society to become a hermit to learn non-attachment • Become a wandering beggar (sannyasi) • Women have constricted social and domestic life • No independence allowed • Bearing and raising children central 5. Teaches cynical view of time/history

26. Jainism and Buddhism • 1. Originate in 6th century B.C.E. and challenge mainstream • Reject sacrificial system of the vedas in favor of doctrine of release through life based on one’s accomplishments • Reject Vedas as sacred and caste system; Release is possible for all who live rightly • Both too strict for average person, eventually absorbed by Hinduism

27. BhagavadGita • Epic poem of Indian culture and religion • Mahabhrata is story of struggles between two leading families from beginning of Indian history • Gita is dialogue battle between the warrior Arjuna and his charioteer Krishna 1. Arjuna ponders folly of war, Krishna reminds him that it is his duty 2. Krishna reveals himself as god Vishnu

28. Hare Krishna

29. Religious Controversy • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DC_8dxPHX7A

30. Post Classical hinduism • A. Distinction between Classical Indian Religion (Brahmanism) and Post-Classical (Hinduism) • Classical: Greco-Roman style; pantheon; many gods worshipped publicly through sacrifice • Post-Classical: Worship of a few major anthropomorphic dieties • Shift in Basic attitude: From optimism to pessimism

31. Devotion to three Major Gods • Path of Devotion (Bhakti-marga) • Particular gods express one function of brahman (creation, destruction, preservation) • Post-Classical Hindus tend to see all function of Brahahmin in one particular deity. • Devi-great Feminine Goddess, source other goddesses like Brahman is source of gods • Devotion to main three gods known as the Trimurti: Brahman, Vishnu, and Shiva

32. Devotion to three Major Gods • Brahma the Creator • Post-vedic deity, object of much mythology • No cult of devotees • Wife: Saravati-Goddess of knowledge, poetry, speech, wisdom

33. Devotion to three major Gods • Shiva the Destroyer • Post-Vedic deity from Aryan god Rudra • One of most popular gods in Hinduism • God of death, destruction, disease, but also of reproduction, sexuality, fertility, and dance • Favorite god of Hindu ascetics • Devotees (shivaites) tend to equate shiva with Brahman of the Upanishads

34. Devotion to three Major Gods • Vishnu • God of love benevolence, forgiveness, play • Appeared in nine different forms (avatara) to assist humans • Tenth avatar, Kalkin, will come at the end of the world to judge wicked and reward the good • Devotees (Vaishnavites) tend to equate Vishnu with Brahman of Upanishads • Wife Lakshmi: Guardian of the world’s welfare, wealth, and victory

35. Devotion of Knowledge (jnana-marga) • Way of knowledge appeals to upper class • Based on various philosophical systems (darshan) • Systems all based on Vedas, aim at release, believe in rebirth and pre-exsistence • The Sankhya system • Athiestic system with no personal gods • Everything springs from 2 forces: Spirit and matter • Influences Buddhism and Jainism

36. Devotion to Knowledge B. The yoga system • “yoga” derived from yuj, “to yoke, join” • Follows Sankhya philosophical system • One should attempt to join the individual spirit (atman) to Brahmin • Developed by Pantajal, 2nd century B.C.E. codified in Yoga sutra • Emphasizes meditation

37. Yoga Cont. • 8 teps of Raja yoga • Yama- vows of restraint • Niyama- internal control and calmness • Asana- learns and practices body postures • Pranayama-breath control • Pratyahara-shuts out outside world • Dharana-extreme concentration on single object • Dhyana-achieves meditation • Samadhi-trance/becomes one with Brahman

38. Devotion to knowledge Mimansa System • Based on study of early scriptures and mimansa sutra. • Avoidance of rebirth by following Vedic law • Reject existence of gods Vaisheshika System • Means “particularity”:Universe has 9 eternal elements:Earth, Water, Air, Fire, soul, mind, ether, time, space • No gods necessary

39. Devotion to knowledge The Nyaya System • Adaptation of vaisheshika system by Guatama in Nyaya sutra • Guatama “Aristotle of India” • Atheistic system stressing logical analysis The Vendanta System • Monistic: only Brahman exists • Badarayana composed vendanta sutra 1st cent. B.C.E.

40. Kama sutra • Written by the Indian scholar Vatsyayana • 1. Introductory Chapters - three aims and priorities of life, the acquisition of knowledge, conduct of the well-bred townsman, reflections on intermediaries who assist the lover in his enterprises • 2. On sexual union -stimulation of desire, types of embraces, caressing and kisses, marking with nails, biting and marking with teeth, on copulation (positions), slapping by hand and corresponding moaning, virile behavior in women, superior coition and oral sex, preludes and conclusions to the game of love. It describes 64 types of sexual acts • 3. About the acquisition of a wife; forms of marriage, relaxing the girl, obtaining the girl, managing alone, union by marriage • 4. About a wife; conduct of the only wife and conduct of the chief wife and other wives • 5. About other wives, behavior of woman and man, how to get acquainted, examination of sentiments, the task of go-between, behavior in the women's quarters • 6. About courtesans -advice on the choice of lovers • 7. On the means of attracting others to one's self

42. Muslim Influences in India • A. Origins of Muslim presence in India • Northwest India conquered by Muslim 712 C.E. • Sultanate of Delhi form in thirteenth century C.E. • Moghul Turk dynasty rules India in 6th C.E. • Today more Muslims in India than anyplace else in the world

43. Islam and Hinduism in conflict in India and Pakistan • Monotheistic Islam versus polytheistic Hinduism • Iconoclastic Islam versus Hindu sacred images • Muslim sacrifice of cattle versus Hindu veneration • Muslim Egalitarianism versus Hindu Caste System • Hinduism theology not altered due to contact with Islam • Sikhism seeks to reconcile Islam and Hinduism

44. Modern Hinduism A. Christianity influences Hinduism B. British rule India for three centuries 1. Missionaries come only in nineteenth century 2. British outlaw Suttee and child marriage

45. Modern Hindu Reformers • Ran Mohan Roy “the Father of Modern India” a. Respected Christianity, but did not believe in the divinity of Jesus b. Monotheist who opposed polytheism as idolatry c. Formed major 19th-20th century reform movement, BrahmoSamaj (Society of God)

46. Modern hindu Reformers • Mohandas K. Ghandi (1869-1948) a. religious reformer who combines traditional Hinduism with elements of Christianity, Jainism, Islam, Parsi b. political reformer who combines training in England as a lawyer with Thoreau’s ideal of civil disobedience to resist British Colonial Rule of India c. Opposed caste system, called the “untouchables” the harijan,“children of God”

47. I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ. • You must be the change you wish to see in the world. • My life is my message. • Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.

48. Unifying object concern among reformers: Caste System • Development of caste (from Portuguese word casta, breed-race) system into modern form begins in 8th century C.E. • Four basic castes develop into thousands of Sub-castes based on vocation, ethnic, religious lines • Modern Castes dictate diet, vocation, place of residence, choice of mate, social interaction • Greater one’s contact with “pollutants” of blood, death, dirt the lower one’s caste • Brahmins seek purity from pollutants, vegetarianism • Discrimination outlawed in 1948 • Caste system still entrenched in Indian society

49. Hindu Holy Days • Holi-Most popular festival -Feb/March to welcome spring -Basis in Fertility, worship of Kali • Divali -Celebration of the Hindu New Year in Nov -Worship of Kali and Lakshmi

50. Hinduism Today • Modernity versus Traditional Hinduism a. India is a modern democracy b. Modern Indians assume their lives can be improved B. Specific Political Issue • Rise of fundamentalism • Volatiile Pakistan-Kashmir Issue • Militant Sikh independence movement • Minority status of Hindus outside India