Re-Cap of Confucian and Shinto Concepts
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Transcript of Re-Cap of Confucian and Shinto Concepts
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Re-Cap of Confucian and Shinto Concepts
Confucian Ideas
Five key relationships Importance of propriety Elevation of scholarship over pedigree Nature of virtue Filial piety Confucian Classics Four Books
Shinto Ideas
Animism Importance of kami Significance of torii gates Harmony with nature Shinto/Buddhist multiplex Misogi Kannagara Shinto as indigenous religion
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HinduismTruth is one; sages call it by
various names.- Rig Veda
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Hindu Origins Hinduism- a collection of
traditions? Any who use the Vedas in spiritual
practice Sanatana Dharma (Eternal Religion)
What perspective does this represent? Early emphasis on meditation
practice as well as a variety of divine manifestations
Poly-, Mono-, or Mon-?
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The Dharma Dharma
duties natural law social law/welfare ethics all life activities
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Harappan Civilization Very old civilization
Circa 2500 B.C.E Based on archaeological evidence Use of lingams/menhirs- upright stone
monuments Worshipped Siva-like god Also an indigenous Dravidian population Is Hinduism another example of “indigenous”
religion? Invaded by Aryans
Circa 2000-900 B.C. E. May or may not have brought religious ideas with
them
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The Vedas The foundation of most Hindu practice
Rig Veda- Sanskrit hymns devoted to devas Samhitas- the text of any of the Vedas
Brahmanas- detailing proper performance of ritual Aranyakas- for reclusive meditation; “dangerous”
rituals Upanishads- the teachings of spiritual masters
Why do most people skip to the end? realization of the oneness of the godhead, a
supreme formless reality behind thee world of transitory appearances
Vedas written down Circa 1500-400 B.C.E. Switches from oral tradition to written documents in
Sanskrit
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The Rig Veda Oldest known scripture in the world
Lists major deities in a traditionally polytheistic pantheon
Presented side by side with the concept of one universal and unseen reality
Praises and implores the blessings of the devas (shining ones)
– Devas could be thunder Gods, God’s of the dawn., god’s of drink, transparent as the sky (polytheistic)
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Major Message of the Vedas
Existence of an Ultimate Reality beyond human understanding ceaselessly creating sustaining all life encompassing all that is
Developed into bhakti (devotional) practice because of difficulty in worshipping the formless?
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Epic Poems- @400BCE-400CE
Ramayana Vishnu producing an avatar (Rama) to help
uplift humanity Portrays duties of relationships and ideal
forms of roles (servant, prince, etc…) Mahabarata
Shows all sides of human nature Focuses on the importance of righteous
action 18th book- The Bagavad-Gita- story of
Krishna as an avatar of a chariot driver instructing Arjuna
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The Brahmin Priests who controlled the aspects of
Vedic worship Brahman (supreme reality)
Without features With features (god manifestation)
Mantras introduced as ritual formulas The sound invokes a reality they connote or
describe Atman- personal “soul” that inhabits human
beings
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Castes Each caste (varna) is composed of multiple
sub-categories (jat) List of castes
Brahmin- priests Kshatriyas- nobility (kings, warriors, vassals) Vaishyas-backbone of economy (farmers and
merchants) Shudra- manual laborers and artisans Dalits- “Untouchables”- (dead body removal, filth
removal, other “unclean” Renamed by M.K. Gandhi= harijans (“children of
God”) Dalits now find that term patronizing/condescending
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Universal Castes?
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Why Is the Caste System Important?
This concept is integral to the precepts of Sanatana Dharma Vedas contain laws that govern all aspects
of life Every person serves in their niche Society functions smoothly when these
positions are accepted by all It moves people from selfish desires to
common good in the social order What tradition also embraces this idea?
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The Caste System (Cont.) What are the up sides of a caste
system? Why are caste systems somewhat
incomprehensible to Western thinkers?
Does this mean that Western religions are inherently selfish?
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Concepts for the Upanishads
Contemplation of the “Luminous Self” How can this phrase be interpreted?
Reincarnation Senses give an impermanent and
inaccurate view of the world Turning away from sensory input and
transient material world Looking for connections with Brahman
Is God “out there?” Is God “In Here?”
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Human Beings Contain... A collection of transient and
intransient forms Atman= the subtle self in you that is “You”= your conscious ego self The Brahman
We (as the atman) are but waves on the ocean of Brahman
Connections to what other traditions?
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Good and Bad Karma Karma
Action and its consequence as a person acts so they become…if a person has
impure thoughts they become impure, if they are pure in thoughts they are pure
We bear the results and consequences of our actions
in this life and the next (reincarnated form) every move has far reaching consequences
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Breaking the Cycle Moksha
Liberation from the karmic cycle= wheel of birth, life, death (Samsara)
Freedom from all constraints of this life– space– time– matter– joining with the Brahman?
Requires many lifetimes of upward striving incarnation before one can move beyond the earthly transcendence
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Major Theistic Groups (Bhakti)
Three major groupings of deity worshippers Vaishnavites- worship divine as Vishnu
– the lotus floats serenely on the water with its roots firmly in the mud
– refined spiritual energy rising from worldly contamination
Saivites- worship divine as Siva (the destroyer)– Often represented with a consort (Parvati his
spouse) Saktas-worship the female creative power
– Kali warrior goddess destruction is actually transformation
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Vishnu
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Vishnu’s Symbols Conch shell
Makes the purest sound from which creation springs
Golden mace/club A weapon signifying total power to destroy
evil Rotating disc/discus
Another weapon with the same symbolism Lotus flower
Fertility and regeneration; nurturing of the soul from worshipping Vishnu
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Shiva
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Siva’s symbols Circle of flames
The universe in its entirety Snake around neck
Symbol of fertility and strength Small drum
Represents sound of creation Hand gesture (abhaya mudra)
Symbol for fearlessness Lifted right foot
Symbolic of freedom from samsara Flame in hand
The essence of creation and destruction
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Yoga Yoga
“yoke” or “union” with the infinite consciousness From root “yuj” meaning “to bind fast” All are considered paths of liberation One should use some form of disciplined
technique to achieve this. Raja Yoga Jnana Yoga Karma Yoga Bhakti Yoga Dharma Yoga
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Raja (Hatha) Yoga Consists of more than just he elements
familiar to westerners Yama- virtues/observances Niyama- restraints Asana- psotures Pranayama- breathing Pratyahara-inward focus Dharana-concentration for meditation Dhyana- mediation Samadhi- insight
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Physiological and Physical Raja Yoga
asanas - physical postures prana - invisible life energy chakras - bodily energy centers mantras- sound repetition yantras - a visual form
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One Version of Yoga
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Rational Approach Jnana Yoga
rational mind emphasis restraint, renunciation, resignation,
concentration, faith Developing an intellectual understanding
of the relationships between the concepts expressed above and their impact on daily life
Is this important to practice or to study?
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Union Through Virtuous Action
Karma Yoga any service rendered without though
or interest in its effect on anything God doing it through you, but not you Actions have consequences in real
world and also in the karmic world Is there an equivalent to this in
Western society?
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Another Version of Yoga
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Devotional Union Bhakti Yoga
Love relationship with/to a divine manifestation serves as the ultimate example of devotion
The bhakti practitioner expects the possibility of a physical appearance of god/gods
Hunter at Siva’s shrine- p. 81
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Still Another Kind of Yoga!
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Dharma Yoga Often intermingled with karma
yoga or any other of the yogic paths
Focused on following duties associated with caste and Hindu life cycle
Carrying out gender roles as well as societal roles Women serve men and bear children
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The Hindu Life Cycle Traditional life periods
25yrs each Chaste student learning from teacher Householder stage
– raise a family contribute productively to society
Retirement from society and beginnings of serious meditation and scriptural study
– Partial renunciate Ascetic stage- full detachment from society
– a sannyasin Most males do not follow this full path to its
end stage
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Guru The guru
Venerable/venerated teachers or spiritual guides
do not proclaim themselves teachers, the students simply come
no guru necessary for the sincere earnest seeker?
P. 98- floating wood symbolism Does that metaphor apply
universally?
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A Stereotypical Guru?
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Guru Nanak
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Establishment of independent Indian state- 1947
Gandhi established two overreaching precepts awareness of spiritual truth
(satyagraha) non-violent resistance to military-
industrial oppression
Modern Hinduism
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Exclusivity Vs. Universalism
Sanatana Dharma Inherently ecumenical Non-proselytizing “Naturally” universal in appeal?
Social/Political factors History of India and Pakistan Constant tensions between Muslims
and Hindus
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More Modern Hinduism
Christianity appeals to those who are trapped into older caste-centered beliefs? Mahatma Gandhi Ramakrishna Vivekananda Pramahansa Yogananda Maharishi Mahesh Yogi
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ICW on HinduismDo you see political/social developments intertwined with religious practice in the United States? Do we have a “caste” system in place even though America is supposed to be the “land of opportunity?” How does that relate to dominant religious norms?