February 8, 2006 Bethlehem Lutheran Church 1 Dr. Sneh Kalia Professor of Physics Professor of...

February 8, 2006 Bethlehem Lutheran Church 1

Dr. Sneh KaliaDr. Sneh Kalia

Professor of PhysicsProfessor of Physics

Saint Cloud State UniversitySaint Cloud State University

February 8, 2006 2Bethlehem Lutheran Church

Hindu Dharma or Sanatan Dharma is Hindu Dharma or Sanatan Dharma is world’s oldest living dharma (philosophy world’s oldest living dharma (philosophy and way of life)and way of life)

Hindu dharma has no founder, the word Hindu dharma has no founder, the word Sanatan implies that it always existedSanatan implies that it always existed

It is third largest religion in the worldIt is third largest religion in the world 98% of Hindus live in Indian 98% of Hindus live in Indian

subcontinentsubcontinent Nepal is the only nation in the world with Nepal is the only nation in the world with

Hinduism as its state religionHinduism as its state religion


There is One God (Supreme Reality) There is One God (Supreme Reality) perceived perceived

Hindi Deities represent various Hindi Deities represent various perceptions of One Godperceptions of One God


Hinduism is flexible and provide many Hinduism is flexible and provide many ways to develop one’s spiritual ideas in ways to develop one’s spiritual ideas in order to suit individual needs “Unity in order to suit individual needs “Unity in the diverse plan of Nature” is recognized.the diverse plan of Nature” is recognized.

All gods and goddesses represent All gods and goddesses represent humans, animals or natural forces such as humans, animals or natural forces such as wind, water, fire and moon, each has wind, water, fire and moon, each has different powers to bless the worlddifferent powers to bless the world


Hindu Trinity represents three Hindu Trinity represents three manifestation of the Supreme Realitymanifestation of the Supreme Reality


Lord BrahmaLord Brahma

CreationCreation


Lord Brahma and Lord Brahma and SaraswatiSaraswati


Goddess SaraswatiGoddess Saraswati Is the consort or wife of Is the consort or wife of Lord BrahmaLord Brahma

and possesses the powers of speech, and possesses the powers of speech, wisdom and learningwisdom and learning

She has four hands representing four She has four hands representing four aspects of learning.aspects of learning.

Mind, Intellect, Alertness, EgoMind, Intellect, Alertness, Ego


Lord VishnuLord Vishnu

PreservationPreservation


Lord Vishnu and LakshmiLord Vishnu and Lakshmi


Goddess LakshmiGoddess Lakshmi

Goddess Lakshmi is the consort or wife of Goddess Lakshmi is the consort or wife of Lord VishnuLord Vishnu and is the goddess of and is the goddess of prosperity, purity, chastity and generosity. prosperity, purity, chastity and generosity.


Lord ShivaLord Shiva

DestructionDestruction


Lord Shiva and ParvatiLord Shiva and Parvati


Goddess ParvatiGoddess Parvati

Goddess Parvati is the wife Goddess Parvati is the wife (consort) of (consort) of Lord ShivaLord Shiva and exists and exists in various divine (both friendly in various divine (both friendly and fearful) forms. Two of her and fearful) forms. Two of her fierce but very powerful forms fierce but very powerful forms are Durga (goddess beyond are Durga (goddess beyond reach) and Kali (goddess of reach) and Kali (goddess of destruction). destruction).


Three cosmic Functions of Three cosmic Functions of Supreme LordSupreme Lord

GeneratorGenerator

++

OperatorOperator

++

DestroyerDestroyer

==

GodGod


India is the original India is the original home of the Mother home of the Mother

GoddessGoddess

The complementary nature of male and The complementary nature of male and female energies is valued in Hindu female energies is valued in Hindu society and deemed essential to achieve society and deemed essential to achieve balance within the gods and within balance within the gods and within mortals.mortals.


Mother Nature: Mother Nature: Prakriti Prakriti MaMa

Mother Earth: Mother Earth: Prithvi MaPrithvi Ma

Mother Land: Mother Land: Bharat Bharat MataMata


Devi AnnapuurnaaDevi Annapuurnaa –is –is presiding deity of Foodgrainspresiding deity of Foodgrains

Ganga DeviGanga Devi, , Yamuna DeviYamuna Devi, , and so on have been and so on have been manifested as rivers to feed manifested as rivers to feed mankind. mankind.

Forests that provide us with so Forests that provide us with so many resources are said to be many resources are said to be presided over by presided over by Vandevi.Vandevi.


Sacred TextsSacred Texts The primary sacred texts are the The primary sacred texts are the Vedas:Vedas: Rig VedaRig Veda Sama Veda Sama Veda Yajur VedaYajur Veda Atharva VedaAtharva Veda Ramayana: Ramayana: a story with moral and spiritual a story with moral and spiritual

themetheme Mahabharata: Bhagavad-Gita Mahabharata: Bhagavad-Gita is one of the is one of the

book of Mahabharatabook of Mahabharata


Four basic Attainments Four basic Attainments of Life: of Life:


DharmaDharma

Righteousness and good moral and Righteousness and good moral and ethical practicesethical practices

Includes all duties – individual, Includes all duties – individual, social and religioussocial and religious


Artha (Wealth)Artha (Wealth) One must earn enough wealth in order to raise One must earn enough wealth in order to raise

a family and maintain a householda family and maintain a household

Wealth must not be for holding but for sharing Wealth must not be for holding but for sharing with those who are poor or less fortunatewith those who are poor or less fortunate

Dharma and Artha must be coordinated in Dharma and Artha must be coordinated in order to earn decent living while recognizing order to earn decent living while recognizing that Artha is not an ultimate goalthat Artha is not an ultimate goal


KamaKamaSatisfaction of genuine human Satisfaction of genuine human

desires such as art, music, love, desires such as art, music, love, affection, clothes and jewelry etc. are affection, clothes and jewelry etc. are not suppressed not suppressed

Through controlled satisfaction of Through controlled satisfaction of these desires an individual becomes these desires an individual becomes free from Kamafree from Kama


MokshaMoksha To make an individual a better person so To make an individual a better person so

that he/she can live harmoniously in this that he/she can live harmoniously in this world and seek union with Godworld and seek union with God

Freedom from desires and passion is Freedom from desires and passion is necessary for attaining Moksha and is necessary for attaining Moksha and is made possible by the proper coordination made possible by the proper coordination of dharma, artha and kamaof dharma, artha and kama


Follow Ten Great Follow Ten Great ObservancesObservances::

1.1. Patience, firmness and stability Patience, firmness and stability (Dhruti)(Dhruti)

2.2. Forgiveness (Kshama)Forgiveness (Kshama)3.3. Self-control and contentment Self-control and contentment

(Dama)(Dama)4.4. Not be selfish (Astaya)Not be selfish (Astaya)5.5. Purity and honestyPurity and honesty


6.6. Control over senses (Indriya Control over senses (Indriya Nigraha)Nigraha)

7.7. Right knowledge of scriptures Right knowledge of scriptures (Dhee)(Dhee)

8.8. Knowledge and study (Vidya)Knowledge and study (Vidya)

9.9. Truth (Satya)Truth (Satya)

10.10. Absence of anger (Akrodha)Absence of anger (Akrodha)


Four Stages of Hindu Four Stages of Hindu LifeLife


Brahamacharya Brahamacharya AshramaAshrama

Begins when a child enters school at Begins when a child enters school at an early age and continues until he or an early age and continues until he or she has finished all schoolingshe has finished all schooling

The goal is to acquire knowledge The goal is to acquire knowledge build character band learn to shoulder build character band learn to shoulder responsibilitiesresponsibilities


Grahastha AshramaGrahastha Ashrama

This stage begins at marriageThis stage begins at marriageIn this stage an individual pays debt In this stage an individual pays debt

by serving God and Ancestorsby serving God and AncestorsEnjoys good and noble things in life Enjoys good and noble things in life

in accordance with Artha-Kama-in accordance with Artha-Kama-MokshaMoksha


Vanaprastha AshramaVanaprastha AshramaWhen one’s children have reached When one’s children have reached

adulthood one enters this stageadulthood one enters this stage

In this stage one gradually withdraws In this stage one gradually withdraws from active life and begins devoting from active life and begins devoting more time to study of scriptures and more time to study of scriptures and meditationmeditation


Sanyasna AshramaSanyasna Ashrama

This is the final stage of life in which This is the final stage of life in which an individual mentally renounces all an individual mentally renounces all worldly ties, spends time in worldly ties, spends time in meditating and ponders over meditating and ponders over mysteries of lifemysteries of life


Three Debts during Three Debts during LifeLife


Debt to God can be Debt to God can be repaid byrepaid by

1.1. Service to all mankindService to all mankind

2.2. Reverence to elders and teacherReverence to elders and teacher

3.3. Practice nonviolence, truthfulness, Practice nonviolence, truthfulness, respectfulnessrespectfulness

4.4. Protection of EarthProtection of Earth

5.5. VegetarianismVegetarianism

6.6. UniversalityUniversality

7.7. PeacePeace


Second debt to Saints Second debt to Saints can be paid bycan be paid by

1.1. Service to SaintsService to Saints

2.2. Serving society and poor without Serving society and poor without expecting returnsexpecting returns


Third debt is to Third debt is to ancestorsancestors

Which can be paid by raising one’s Which can be paid by raising one’s family in accordance with the family in accordance with the morals and ethical principlesmorals and ethical principles


AUMAUM The most sacred symbol is the sound of The most sacred symbol is the sound of

the infinitethe infinite By sound and form AUM symbolizes the By sound and form AUM symbolizes the

ultimate reality and the entire universeultimate reality and the entire universe The character is a composite of three The character is a composite of three

different letters of the Sanskrit alphabets different letters of the Sanskrit alphabets and represents the Trinityand represents the Trinity

This sacred symbol is spoken before any This sacred symbol is spoken before any chants to remember Godchants to remember God


SWASTIKASWASTIKA Is regarded as a divine sign by HindusIs regarded as a divine sign by Hindus The word means auspicious in the The word means auspicious in the

Sanskrit language and hence is used to Sanskrit language and hence is used to symbolize the welcoming of symbolize the welcoming of auspiciousness and driving away evilsauspiciousness and driving away evils

The symbol represents the changing of The symbol represents the changing of the universe around the unchanging the universe around the unchanging nature of Godnature of God


WelcomeWelcome

NamaskarNamaskar


The daily ritual of Puja is performed The daily ritual of Puja is performed in a Home Shrine or Puja Roomin a Home Shrine or Puja Room


PrayersPrayers Hindu prayer always end with three chants of Hindu prayer always end with three chants of

invocation- “Aum Shanti, Shanti, Shanti Aum”invocation- “Aum Shanti, Shanti, Shanti Aum” The three repetition are addressed to three The three repetition are addressed to three

groups into which all obstacles can be classifiedgroups into which all obstacles can be classified1.1. Cosmic – earth quakes, lightning (Aadhidaivika)Cosmic – earth quakes, lightning (Aadhidaivika)2.2. Phenomenal – robbers, wild beast Phenomenal – robbers, wild beast

(Aadhibhautika)(Aadhibhautika)3.3. Subjective – body ailments, agitation of mind, Subjective – body ailments, agitation of mind,

negative thought (Aadhyaatmika)negative thought (Aadhyaatmika)


KarmaKarmaThe central doctrine of Hinduism is The central doctrine of Hinduism is karmakarma. .

Karma (or destiny) means the quality of Karma (or destiny) means the quality of somebody's current and future lives as somebody's current and future lives as determined by that person's behavior in this and determined by that person's behavior in this and in previous livesin previous lives

As you sow, so shall you reap.As you sow, so shall you reap.

Blissfulness in life is in direct proportion to Blissfulness in life is in direct proportion to good thoughts and actions.good thoughts and actions.

Misery in life is a direct result of evil thoughts Misery in life is a direct result of evil thoughts and actions. and actions.


Kindness to all beings has to Kindness to all beings has to be understoodbe understood

Everything in Hinduism is essentially the law Everything in Hinduism is essentially the law of the nature in its pure form.of the nature in its pure form.

Natural laws admit no exception.Natural laws admit no exception.

When the sun rises, it rises for everybody.When the sun rises, it rises for everybody.

There is a bond of unity between man and There is a bond of unity between man and nature, body and spirit, for all of them are nature, body and spirit, for all of them are manifestations of the same divine energy.manifestations of the same divine energy.


The holy dot or The holy dot or bindi bindi is an is an auspicious makeup worn by auspicious makeup worn by Hindu women on their Hindu women on their forehead. forehead.

It is usually a red dot made It is usually a red dot made with vermilion (finely powdered with vermilion (finely powdered bright red mercuric sulphide). bright red mercuric sulphide).


Traditionally a symbol of marriage it has now become a decorative item and is worn today by unmarried girls and women of other religions as well.

No longer restricted in color or shape, bindis today are seen in many colors and designs and are manufactured with self-adhesives and felt.


Hindu WeddingHindu Wedding Jaimala (Exchange of Garlands)Jaimala (Exchange of Garlands) Kanyadan (Giving away of the Bride)Kanyadan (Giving away of the Bride) Havan – the God of Fire – witness Havan – the God of Fire – witness

their commitment to each othertheir commitment to each other Gath Bandhan (Tying of the Nuptial Gath Bandhan (Tying of the Nuptial

Knot)Knot) Saptapadi ( seven Steps together)Saptapadi ( seven Steps together) Sindhoor ( Red Powder)Sindhoor ( Red Powder) Aashirwad ( Parental Blessings)Aashirwad ( Parental Blessings)


DeathDeath Hindus believe in reincarnation and view death Hindus believe in reincarnation and view death

as the soul moving from one body to the next as the soul moving from one body to the next on its path to reach Nirvanaon its path to reach Nirvana

Hindus cremate their dead, believing that the Hindus cremate their dead, believing that the burning of a body signifies the release of the burning of a body signifies the release of the spirit and that the flames represent Brahma, spirit and that the flames represent Brahma, the creatorthe creator

13 days mourning period13 days mourning period Shradh – annual event – giving food to the Shradh – annual event – giving food to the

poor in memory of the deceasedpoor in memory of the deceased

February 8, 2006 Bethlehem Lutheran Church 1 Dr. Sneh Kalia Professor of Physics Professor of...

Documents

Transcript of February 8, 2006 Bethlehem Lutheran Church 1 Dr. Sneh Kalia Professor of Physics Professor of...