Hinduism

• Generally considered to be the oldest major world religion still actively practiced today.

• Originated from the ancient Vedic culture in as far a 2000 BCE

• 1 Billion followers today – most live in India

• Very tolerant religionThere are many truths!

• Central texts are contained in the Vedas

Fundamental teachings shared by nearly all Hindus.

• Among most basic tenets of Hinduism, belief in Brahman, eternal being that created, preserves world

• Brahman all-encompassing

• Many believe human mind incapable of understanding

Brahman

Basic Teachings of Hinduism

• Hindus believe each person has atman, soul, aspect of Brahman

• Atman shapes personality, cannot be destroyed, even by death

Atman

Manifestations of Brahman, active in world, helping maintain order in nature

Devas

• Brahma• Shiva• Vishnu

Some believe in thousands; others worship only one - Brahman.

Three Main Devas

Pattern of Life• Hindus believe universe, everyone in it, part of continual pattern of birth,

death, and rebirth• After death atman reborn in process called reincarnation, or samsara

Dharma • With moksha, atman leaves world, reunites fully with Brahman• To achieve moksha is to fulfill one’s dharma—spiritual duties, obligations• By fulfilling dharma, one creates good karma, breaks free from rebirth cycle

New Life• Nature of person’s new life shaped by karma—sum effect of deeds, actions• Good karma, reincarnated to better station in life; bad karma, lower station in

life• Ultimate goal of human existence, moksha, escape from cycle of rebirth

Rebirth and Salvation

Read pages 106-107 -> Questions?

• Hindu beliefs vary widely, religious practices vary as well; worship can take place anywhere

• At temples, priests might recite, read portions of the Vedas; image of a deva sometimes carried out of temple to people

• At home, food, drink, gifts offered for deva; meditation, silent reflection

Worship

Hindu Religious Practices

• To help meditate, Hindus practice series of integrated physical, mental exercises called yoga

• Yoga teaches people how to focus bodies, minds to aid meditation, help attain moksha

• Hindus also make pilgrimages to Ganges River to purify, remove bad karma

Meditation, Pilgrimages

Hindu Religious Practices

Much of Hinduism’s evolution stemmed from a number of sacred writings produced over centuries.

• Name means “knowledge” in Sanskrit

• Hindus consider Vedas to contain eternal knowledge not written by humans, revealed to them by Brahman

• Parts of Vedas date back more than 3,000 years

• Considered core of Hinduism even today

The Vedas

Sacred Texts and Practices

Upanishads

• Sacred texts that built upon the Vedas

• Upanishads philosophical reflections on the Vedas, dealing with nature of world, meaning of life

Mahabharata and Ramayana

• Two epic poems

• Each tells story, reflects on living according to Vedic teachings

• Included in Mahabharata, most sacred of all Hindu texts, the Bhagavad Gita, addressing many aspects of Hindu belief, philosophy

VEDAS and the Creation Hymn - To Do

1. Make a list of paradoxes within the Rig Veda text.

2. Make a list of unanswered question within the Rig Vega text.

3. Make a list of 10 things that are different about this story of creation compared with the story in Genesis.

Bhagavad Gita “Song of the Lord”

The Bhagavad Gita is the most important text to Hindus.

Part of Mahabhrata

Critical Ideas• Suppression of the Ego is paramount. Eliminate focus on our singular self.• Decrease reliance on the senses to reduce extremes of sorrow and joy• Action is more important than ritual.• Importance of reincarnation and the shallowness of concern for physical

bodies.• Truth is found in Atman, the universal oversoul that binds us all.

It is incorrect to conceive of the soul in Hindu religion as a singular element of one individual. It is part of a connected whole, and the individual’s soul aspires to be reunited

Second of 2 epic poems. The Ramayana is one of the central Hindu myths, written close to 250 BCE. Author - Valmiki

• Centers around the efforts of a prince named Rama to reclaim his wife, who had been kidnapped by the demon Ravanna.

• Rama is the ideal hero of Hindu culture, although in books 1 and 7 he becomes Vishnu.

Ramayana (Journey of Rama)

Rama

Rama and Ravana

Ravana

An avatar of Lord Vishnu (The Preserver)

• An avatar is the bodily incarnation of an immortal being. The term in Sanskrit implies a descent into mortal realms.

• Two of the most important avatars in the Hindu tradition are Rama and Krishna.

• The purpose of the incarnation is to demonstrate correct living on Earth.

• Rama is the embodiment of the dharma, always fulfilling his duties and acting in accordance with Hindu principles.

A Brahmin on earth, Ravanna becomes a demon possessed of enormous power when he is granted power by the gods, making him immune to damage from divine agents, demons, and animals.

Arrogantly, he did not ask for protection from humans.

• He is defeated by Vishnu’s human incarnation (Rama).

• His death helps restore dharma, or order, on the earthly realm.

• The story is about his redemption. In, death he is released by Rama—and the lusts, cruelty, desire, and ego that have consumed him fade away.

Sections of the Story1. Pg.132-134.

Beginning to the Golden “T”2. Pg. 134-135.

Start at the Golden “T” and stop at the Golden “R”3. Pg. 135-136.

Start at the Golden “R” and stop at the Golden “R”4. Pg. 136 – 138.

Start at the Golden “R” and stop at the Golden “W”

5. Pg. 138. Section “W” Only.6. Pg. 138- 139

Start at the Golden “R and stop at the Golden “N”7. Pg. 139. Start at the Golden “N” and go to the

end.

The Story of Rama and Ravanna at Battle