Lecture 7: Foundations of Hinduism

1. Lecture 7: Foundations of Hinduism

2. Philosophical Foundations of Hinduism • The philosophical systems of Sanatana Dharma have their foundation in: • The Vedas • Direct personal experience of truth through meditation • The concern for ethics as necessary for orderly social life • The belief that suffering is a result of ignorance of the eternal self

3. Samkhya • Samkhya is a dualistic philosophy • It claims that reality has two distinct aspects: • Purusha • The pure, changeless, eternal self • Praktiri • “Nature” The source and cause of our material universe • The problem humans face according to this philosophy is that they are confused about the difference between these two aspects • The goal in Samkhya is to recognize the ultimate reality of the Purusha apart from Praktiri

4. Advaita Vedanta Advaita Vedanta is a monistic philosophy It claims that there is only one reality According to this philosophy Atman and Brahman are one and the same thing But they appear to be separate because of Maya Maya The illusory physical world which appears to be real and separate from Brahman For example; we appear to be different from each other and separate from ultimate reality. But we are not

5. Yoga • All forms of Yoga use spiritual discipline to achieve self-knowledge • Some seek Samadhi union with the absolute (Brahman) • Certain practices include: • Regulation of breathing to increase prana(Breath/Life energy) • An assortment of physical postures (asanas) • Sacred formulas (mantras) or concentration on a spiritual symbol (Yantra) • Focus on controlling the energy that flows through the Chakras

6. Varieties of Yoga Raja Yoga The path of mental contrentation Jnana Yoga The path of rational inquiry Karma Yoga The path of right action Bhakti Yoga The path of devotion to a personal deity Q: In what way does the yoga described here, differ from the Yoga we are familiar with in the west?

7. Theistic paths Vaisnavites Worshippers of Vishnu and his associated deities (Rama and Krishna) Saivites Worshippers of Shiva and his associated deities (His son Ganesh) Saktas Worshippers of a mother/wife goddess (Brahmani, Indrani, Kartiki, Mahesvari, Narasinhi, Pradhana, Raudri, Vaishnavi, Varahi.)

8. Hindu Practices • Rituals (Puja) • Darsan; Visual contact with the divine • Prasad; Food blessed by being offered to a deity and then eaten • Castes • The Hindu castes originate in the Vedic age and divides men into four hereditary occupational groups • Brahmins (priests and teachers) • Kshatriyas (warriors and rulers) • Vaishyas (Farmers, merchants, artisans) • Shudras (Laborers) • The untouchables (those outside the system) • Life Stages • Brahmin males traditionally went through four stages: • a) Student; b) householder; c) meditation/study; d) renunciation (Sannyasin) • Sannyasins join monastic orders and live in retreats known as Ashram

9. Hindu Practices • Duties and Goals • There are four goals that define a good life • Dharma • Artha (Success in worldly activities) • Kama (love) • Moksha (Liberation from Samsare) • Gurus • Fasting and Praying • Reverence of trees and rivers • Pilgrimages • Festivals