Ch. 5 Hinduism

1. Ch. 5 Hinduism Modern Religion with Ancient Origins

2. Remember this pizza?

3. Hinduism Statistics

4. More stats…

5. Even more stats…

6. American Culture and the Hindu Faith?

7. In general • Hindu comes from the Sanskrit word “sindhu” meaning “river” • Most Indians would not call themselves Hindu. Rather, their self-identification would be to what caste they belong, their family heritage, etc. • Hindus accept the premises or parts of several religions. Yet Hindus hold that no one religion can possibly claim knowledge of the absolute truth. It is encouraged to imagine a god that best represents each person.

8. History of Hinduism (pg. 184) • No founder and no set beginning. • It would more accurate to say that Hinduism emerged as a religion. • The Banyan Tree?

9. Indus Valley Period (pg. 186) • The Indus Valley civilization existed peacefully (ca. 3000 BCE). A nomadic tribe called the Aryans arrived around the year 1500BCE. • Two prominent contributions of Aryans to Hinduism were their language and scripture. • Scholars know little about these Aryan settlers. They do know, however, that their writings the Vedas (divine knowledge). The Aryans had a powerful oral tradition in which customs and culture were handed on by priests or Rishis (seers of the past). The Vedas were not written down until the arrival of the Muslims in the 8th Century CE. The importance of the ORAL TRADITION

10. Brahaminical Period (pg. 187) • Indo-Aryans intermarried with the indigenous population and moved south the to Ganges river (1500-300BCE). An elaborate civilization created where expensive ritual sacrifices were coordinated by the Brahmins. • The Brahmins formed schools and wrote commentaries about their ritual sacrifices. These commentaries/reflections and the Vedas are included in the shruti (from a word that means “what is heard”) • Gurus took a prominent role (550BCE to 300CE) after the Brahmins and trained disciples in bhakti.

11. Location of Ganges and Vedas

12. Shiva and Vishnu

13. Classical Period (pgs. 188-189) • A time period lasting from 300-1200CE • Hindu temples and home rituals established. • Vernacular replaced Sanskrit. • Although Shruti became the authoritative scripture, the smriti emerged as popular amongst the people. • The MOST IMPORTANT shift during this time period, however, was the shift from the transcendent to the immanent. The concepts of karma, reincarnation, and the samsara emerged as essential. The Caste System, based on the Aryan division of labor, became the regulator of class and status in Hindu society.

15. Hindu-Muslim Period (pg. 189) • Period extending from 1200-1600CE. • Muslims arrive in India around the year 711CE. • Initially, Muslim leaders were tolerant of the Hindu religion yet levied a religious tax. Later (16th century) Mughals, a Muslim tribal people, were less tolerant. Some invaders destroyed Hindu shrines and temples. (Admiral) Akbar attempted to mesh Hinduism and Islam together to no avail, though, this did happen later. After Akbar Muslim toleration of Hinduism declined and Hindus began to greatly distinguish themselves from Islam. This religion, Islam together with Hinduism, is now known as Sikhism.

16. The Modern Period (pgs. 190-191) • Colonialism strikes again. The Brits colonize and create the “modern” India. Tensions with Islam didn’t cease and the Muslims formed their own nation in 1947, Pakistan. • Mohandas “Mahatma” Gandhi was one of the great reformers of India and Hinduism. His influence helped India achieve independence from Britain. Gandhi advocated for the equality of religions. Ahimsa (non-violence) and satyagrahada (passive resistance).

17. Sacred Stories and Scriptures (pgs. 193-199) • Shruti(most sacred texts): • Rig Veda: oldest and most sacred. A collection of more than 1000 hymns to various gods. Accounts of creation, hymns of praise, and mantras used in fire sacrifice. • Soma Veda: A collection of hymns that are chanted at the soma sacrifices. • Yajur Veda: instructs the priests in the proper manner of fire and soma sacrifice. • Atharva Veda: collection of hymns intended for domestic use. Brings healing and removes curses. • Upanishads (to sit down beside): writings concerned with the cycle of rebirth as it is contingent on a person’s actions, liberation from the cycle of rebirth and the mystical relationship between Brahman (Ultimate Reality) and atman (soul). Soma:

18. Sacred Stories and Scriptures (pgs. 193-199) • Smiriti (“that which is to be remembered”) • Mahabharata: a story of a battle between families over inheritance. • Bhagavad Gita is the most popular Hindu Scripture and the most well known outside of Hinduism. Arjuna and violence and non-violence. • Ramayana: epic story about Prince Rama. • Puranas: collection of stories (myths and creation stories) about the three great gods (Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva) of Hinduism. Popular among the lower castes Avatar:

19. Beliefs and Practices (pgs. 199-201) • Deities: • Many different gods! • Absolute/Ultimate Reality or Brahman. This ultimate reality is transcendent and all things material/immaterial belong to this essence. Ultimate Reality assumes the following forms. • Brahma or Creator god • Vishnu or Preserving god • Shiva or Destroying god • Parvati or Divine mother • Saraswati or the goddess of Learning • Lakshmi or the goddess of prosperity • Absolute Reality is identical to the innermost soul or real/truest self. The real self or the atman. The body, mind, and emotions of a person are not considered a person’s real self, only illusions or maya. Brahman Transcendent Atman Maya

20. Beliefs and Practices (pgs. 201-203) • LIFE IS CYCLICAL AND NOT LINEAR! • Karma is the moral law that guides the universe of Hinduism. Cause and Effect. Who one is and how one now acts is determined by deeds in the person’s previous lives. • Samsara or the transmigration of souls more commonly known as reincarnation. • Yoga or the notion that one can choose to remove the karmic residue from their inner essence and move toward moshka(liberation). The three practices are knowledge, good deeds, and devotion.

21. Beliefs and Practices (pgs. 204-206) • Caste System: • Brahmins: priests who make up the highest caste. They are from families who are considered the purest, wisest, and most learned. • Kshatriyas are warriors. They help protect and rule society. • Vaishya are made up of those families who are farmers and merchants. • Shudra are servants the lowest in the caste system. Not permitted to study scripture. • Asprishya or untouchables are families considered defiled because they have the job of cleaning up human waste. Their actions in a previous life were in some way vile. Dharma Artha Kama Moksha

22. Beliefs and Practices (pg. 205) • Dharma: a person’s duties in life, especially those related to social obligations within one’s caste. • Artha: the pursuit of both material and political wealth. • Kama: the pursuit of artistic, recreational, and sensual pleasure. • Moksha: the pursuit of liberation from the cycle of rebirth through actions, thoughts, and devotions.

23. Beliefs and Practices (pg. 206) • STAGES OF LIFE KNOWN AS ASHRAMAS: • Brahmancarin: the student learns about the Hindu tradition, usually at the feet of a guru. • Grihastha: the stage of the householder, when he marries, raises a family, and contributes to society. • Vanaprastha: literally, the “forest dweller.” This is the stage when a man begins to move away from ordinary life to life as a hermit. • Sannyasin: a spiritual pilgrim who renounces everything, including family and family name, to pursue MOKSHA.

24. Sacred Time (pgs. 207-214) • Calendar: Lunar calendar and more complicated than Islamic and Jewish calendar. Six seasons instead of four. • Diwali: festival of lights and some consider start of new year. Celebrates the return of Rama or the seventh avatar of Vishnu. At night, People light oil lamps (to guide Vishnu) place colorful lights (in celebration) on homes, and pop firecrackers (ward off evil spirits) • Holi: Spring festival that celebrates unruly love between Krishna and Radha. The castes divisions are suspended this day and fun-loving pranks are welcome. A red liquid or powder is often used in celebration.

25. Sacred Time (pgs. 207-214) • Life Cycle: Celebrate numerous occasions aka samskaras. There are 16! • Birth • Womb-placing: The rite of conception blessed with the intention of bringing a child with an advance soul. • Male rite: During the 3rd month of pregnancy in which there are prayers for a male child and for good health for the mother. • Hair parting: Between 4 and 7 months of pregnancy, the husband combs the wife’s hair as a sign of love and support. • Rite of birth: The father welcomes the child and gives him a taste of GHEE. • Childhood • Name-giving: Welcoming of the infant. Takes place between 3 and 6 weeks after birth. Name is usually associated with some Hindu god. Anyone converting to Hinduism would also go through this ceremony. • Feeding: The first time the kid eats solid food is marked. • Ear-piercing: Boys and girls have both ears pierced and gold earrings inserted. • First hair cutting: This is a rite of passage for boys. • Formal education: The child marks his/her entry into formal education by writing the first letter of the alphabet in uncooked rice.

26. Sacred Time (pgs. 207-214) • Adulthood • Fit or proper season: For girls, this is a purification after the first menstrual period. The home is blessed marking their coming of age into adulthood. • Beard-shaving: For guys, the home is blessed marking the first beard shaving and maturation into adulthood. • Settlement of aim or word-giving: A betrothal ceremony where the man and woman pledge themselves to each other for marriage. Rings are exchanged. • Marriage: An elaborate ceremony that lasts for days. A ceremonial fire is present throughout, the gods are called upon, and presents and vows are exchanged. • Funeral Rite: • Preparation of body: Eldest son usually washes and adorns the body with flowers. • Cremation: Body is laid on a funeral pyre near a holy river. The fire is set and prayers are recited, people usually stay until the fire is out. • Scattering of ashes: The ashes are usually scattered over a sacred river near the funeral pyre. The Ganges is the most popular river for this ceremony,.

27. Sacred Places (pgs. 214-219) • Temples: • Temples tend to have images of many gods but are often dedicated to one god in particular. • A brahmin often performs puja (the practice of honoring a god or goddess in a worship service with minimum participation by the people). • Each Temple has three elements: outer hall, temple proper, and the “womb chamber.” The last is where the main deity of that temple is located. • Temples are considered a temporary residence for that particular god. MURTI?

28. Sacred Places (pgs. 214-219) • Home Shrines: • Puja can be celebrated at home whether individually or collectively. The women often leads the celebration and a murti is present. Hindus believe that the murti is a representation of god and not a god itself. Flowers, incense, food, clothes are offered to the murti and blessings are given, to the family, in return.

29. Sacred Places (pgs. 214-219) • Ganges River: • The most sacred of all places for the Hindus. The symbol for life without end. Hindus perform spiritual bathing in the river and it is believed that one is able to wash off the karma that will keep them in the cycle of samsara. Many request that their ashes be sprinkled into the Ganges river.

30. Catholicism and Hinduism (pgs.219-225) • Jesus: • Wide range of beliefs in Jesus from Hindu perspective. Some believed he traveled to India to receive teaching from Hindu sages, while others believe the story of Jesus to simply be a myth. • For us, of course, Jesus is the Son of God/Man. Jesus is God on earth. yogi

31. Catholicism and Hinduism (pgs.219-225) • Religious Images: • Many look at Catholicism and Hinduism as though we worship idols. See the iconoclasm controversy. • Using icons, however, brings us closer to understanding the nature of our faith, perhaps the nature of God. For the Hindu, shrines and devas aid in their understanding of Brahma or the Ultimate Reality. Anthropomorphic: Anthropomorphism, or personification, is attribution of human form or other characteristics to anything other than a human being.