HINDUISM religion beliefs and practices

Historical background, religious beliefs and practice

1. DHARMIC RELIGIONS One major commonality of dharmic religions is that they all emerged from the vast subcontinent of India , a land of complexity and diversity in terms of people, culture, practices, customs, and traditions. Central to their fundamental teachings are the belief in the dharma. In Hindu, dharma mean an individuals appropriate behavior or duty to be fulfilled in observance of the customs or law . In Buddhists, it could mean a universal law and order or Buddha’s teachings. HINDUISM THERAVADA BUDDHISM MAHAYANA BUDDHISM

2. HINDUISM Ohm/Om- the truth of ultimate reality as well as oneness and connection with the whole world.

3. HINDUISM Hinduism is the world’s third largest religion with around 15% of the entire population practicing the Hindu faith. Hindu followers in India comprise the major bulk with almost 80% of the country’s population adhering to the religion. Other Asian countries with considerable Hindu faithfuls include Nepal (23 million), Bangladesh (15 million), and Indonesia (3.9 million in Bali).

4. Hinduism is oftentimes considered as the oldest and most complex of all world religions . Elements and themes of Hindu belief may have begun around the third millennium B.C.E . In addition, unlike other major religions, Hinduism had no one identifiable founder ( Hopfe 1983 ). The term Hindu originated from the Persian word hindu (in Sanskrit sindhu ) which means “river.” It also refers to the people of the Indus Valley— the Indians ( Bowker 1997). The name Hinduism was given in the nineteenth century to describe the wide array of belief systems in India. Hinduism was originally known as “Arya Dharma” or the “Aryan Way.”

5. Historically, the foundations of Hinduism may have originated from the customs of the early peoples of the Indus valley around 2500 B.C.E. to 1500 B.C.E., in the more advanced culture of the Dravidians, and from the Aryans who invaded northwest India around 1500 B.C.E. ( Bowker 1997 ). Our knowledge of pre-Aryan belief can be seen from the numerous statues and amulets recovered by archaeologists. Images of fertility gods and goddesses are noticeable from these artifacts while some figures appear in the lotus position which was later absorbed by yoga Hinduism and other sects.

6. Between 1750 B.C.E. and 1200 B.C.E., Aryan conquerors moved to the Indus Valley and brought with them their own set of beliefs that eventually mingled with the religion of the natives. Classical Hinduism resulted in the amalgamation of their faiths. Around sixth century B.C.E., they began to settle into cities while local leaders started organizing small kingdoms for themselves ( Hopfe 1983). Aryans brought with them their set of beliefs based on oral texts known as Vedas. However, certain fundamental assumptions about the Aryan religion can be stated here. Firstly, the Aryans brought with them a polytheistic religion the pantheon of gods and goddesses worshipped by the Aryans. Secondly, sacrifice was the principal form of worship to the Aryan gods.

7. SACRED SCRIPTURES The sacred texts of Hinduism have been principally passed down throughout generations by way of music, recitation, dance, and drama. Sanskrit has been the language of the earliest writings ( Coogan 2005). The sacred writings of the Hindus are categorized into two classes, the shruti and smriti .

8. SHRUTI Shruti literally means “that which is heard.” They are regarded as eternal truths that were passed orally until the beginning of the present age wherein there came the need to write them down ( Bowker 1997). The four collections of texts of the Vedas form the shruti and are considered primary sources and the most authoritative texts of the Hindu faith. Other writings that form part of shruti include the Samhitas , Brahmanas , Upanishads, and a few Sutras.

9. Vedas OLDEST SACRED TEXTS OF HINDUISM which INCLUDES HYMNS, RELIGIOUS TEXTS, MYTHODOLOGICAL ACCOUNTS, POEMS AND PRAYERS. The word veda means “knowledge” or “sacred lore.” RIG-VEDA – knowledge of the hymns of praise (most important and oldest book) SAMA-VEDA – knowledge of the melodies/ knowledge of chants. YAJUR-VEDA – knowledge of sacrificial formulas/ knowledge of rites This book is a compilation of materials recited during rituals and sacrifices to deities. This book is a collection of verses from the basic hymns recited by priests during sacrifices. ATHARVA-VEDA – knowledge of the magic formulas/ “knowledge given by the sage atharva ” this book contains rituals used in homes and popular prayers to gods.  

10. Each Vedas consists of four main parts, the Mantras, Brahmanas , Aranyakas , and Upanishads. Mantras are hymns and chants for praising god. ( a sacred utterance (syllable, word, or verse) that is considered to possess mystical or spiritual efficacy) Brahmanas are explanations of the Mantras with detailed descriptions of the sacrificial ceremonies related to them. Aranyakas are meditations that explicate their meaning. ( describe the actions of life and also acquisition of knowledge .) Upanishads or secret teachings transcend rituals to elucidate the nature of the universe and human’s connectedness to it. ( express the ultimate goal of life as unity with Brahmin)

11. UPANISHADS the term Upanishad literally translates as “sitting down near” or “sitting close to” as it implies listening intently to the mystic teachings of a spiritual teacher who has fully understood the universal truths. It could also mean “brahma-knowledge” whereby ignorance is totally eliminated. The great Indian nationalist and philosopher Sri Aurobindo described the Upanishads as the “supreme work of the Indian mind.” all fundamental teachings and concepts about Hinduism are found in these profound treatises—such as karma (action), samsara (reincarnation), moksha (nirvana), atman (soul), and Brahman (Absolute Almighty).

12. Smriti literally means “that which has been remembered.” These writings serve to reinforce shruti and are interpreted by sages and scholars alike . Most of these texts are sectarian in nature and considered of lesser importance compared to shruti , such as stories and legends, codes of conduct for the society, and guidebooks for worship. SHMRITI

13. The Ramayana, translated as the “Story of Rama” or “Rama’s Journey,” is a Sanskrit epic poem written by the poet Valmiki consisting of 24,000 verses in GUIDE QUESTION How is shmriti different from shruti ? 124 Dharmic Religions seven books and 500 cantos. Central to the story is Rama, a prince and later portrayed as avatar or incarnation of the Hindu god Vishnu, who was born in Ayodhya . RAMAYANA

14. composed of around one hundred thousand verses making it the word’s longest poem. The Mahabharata tells of a great struggle among the descendants of a king called Bharata , a name used by many Indians to mean “India” ( Coogan 2005). Two families are at war, the Pandavas who represent good and the Kauravas who embody evil (Brown 1975). The hundred Kaurava brothers try to cheat their five cousins, the Pandavas , out of their share of the kingdom. As intense battle ensued, every kingdom had to take sides. With the help of Krishna, another incarnation of Vishnu, the Pandavas emerged triumphant but lost all their sons and closest kin in battle ( Coogan 2005 ). It is an epic vision of the human condition, such as intrigue, romance, duplicity, moral collapse, dishonour , and lamentations ( Kolanad 1994) MAHABHARATA

15. A celebrated episode within the Mahabharata is the Bhagavad Gita (or simply Gita) which is translated as “the Lord’s Song .” Considered as one of the holiest books by the Hindus, the Gita is a 700-verse narrative of a dialogue between the Pandava prince Arjuna and his guide-cousin Krishna . The Gita instructs any person that one may reach god through devotion, knowledge, or selfless action ( Coogan 2005). Humans must do their duty or dharma whatever it may be and whatever results it could produce. The Gita is considered the layman’s Upanishads because the difficult teachings of the Upanishads are presented here in a manner that commoners can understand (Brown 1975).

16. BELIEFS AND DOCTRINES The Hindu faith offers its followers many paths to salvation. They may find liberation from the cycle of life through devotion to one or more gods. Gods and goddesses can be worshipped at their temples. In temples, devotees can pray and offer sacrifices so that they can gain favor from deities and assist them in their struggle for salvation. Bhakti stands for the soul’s longing for and clinging to god (Brown 1975).

17. Devotion to the Trimurti Central to Hinduism is the Brahman who is the ultimate reality, one and undivided ( Hopfe 1983). The Brahman is often seen in three forms or functions called the Trimurti (creation , preservation, and destruction .)

18. Brahma –THE CREATOR

19. VISHHU- THE PRESERVER Known as a god of love, benevolence, and forgiveness, Vishnu’s primary concern is humanity itself. As the preserver, the creation is withdrawn to a seed whenever he sleeps but rises again as he wakes up.

20. SHIVA- THE DESTROYER

21. DOCTRINES 4 AIMS OF LIFE DHARMA – DUTY, ETHICS - FULFILLMENT OF A PERSON’S DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES ARTHA – ALLOWS HINDU TO GET THE DHARMA DONE KAMA OR PRESSURE – A PERSON CAN ALSO CONSCIOUSLY SEEK FOR KAMA AND BE MOTIVATED TO CONTINUE HIS OTHER LIFE’S WORK MOKSHA – LIBERATED OR RELEASE FROM THE CYCLE OF DEATH AND REBIRTH

22. ATMAN AND BRAHMAN ATMAN – A MAN’S SPIRIT AND REFERS TO HIS OR HER NON MATERIAL SELF THAT NEVER CHANGE. BRAHMAN – TRANSCENDED POWER THAT IS BEHIND THE DIVERSITY IN ALL THAT EXISTS IN THE UNIVERSE.

23. THE FOUR YOGAS KARMA YOGA – YOGA OF ACTION OR WORK. - THE PATH CHOSEN PRIMARILY BY PEOPLE WHO HAVE ON OUTGOING NATURE AND PURIFIES A PERSON’S HEART. BHAKTI YOGA – YOGA OF LOVE IS A PATH CHOSEN BY PEOPLE WHO ARE EMOTIONAL IN NATURE. RAJA YOGA – ROYAL ROAD OR YOGA OF PSYCHOLOGICAL EXERCISES OFFERS A COMPREHENSIVE METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE WAVES OF THOUGHT BY TURNING A PERSON’S MENTAL AND PHYSICAL ENERGY INTO SPIRITUAL ENERGY. JNANA YOGA – YOGA OF KNOWLEDGE AND REQUIRES TREMENDOUS STRENGTH OF WILL AND INTELLECT

24. THE EIGHT LIMBS OF YOGA YAMA – SELF RESTRAINTS NIYAMA – THINGS TO DO, COMING TO TERMS WITH YOURSELF ASAMA – POSTURES AND MOVEMENTS PRANAYAMA – BREATHING TECHNIQUES PRATYAHARA – DETACHMENT FROM THE WORLD, SITTING QUIETLY AWARE OF BREATH DHARMA – STEADYING THE MIND DHYANA – CONTEMPLATION, MINDLESS ATTENTION. SAMADHI – BLISS WHICH DEFIES DESCRIPTION

25. INDRA – KING OF HEAVEN AND LORD OF GODS AGNI – FIRE OR GOD

26. CASE SYSTEM HIERARCHICAL SOCIAL SYSTEM THAT ASSIGNS DIFFERENT PRIVILEGES AND VALUE TO HUMAN BEINGS ON THE BASIS OF EXCLUSIVE NOTIONS OF PURITY AND IMPURITY. FOUR PRINCIPAL CLASSES OR CASTES IN INDIA BRAHMINS – CONSIDERED AS THE HIGHEST OF ALL CASTERS KSHATRIYAS VAISHYAS SHUDRAS – CONSIDERED AS THE LOWEST

27. GENDER INEQUALITY MANU SMRITI – COVERED THE LAWS REGARDING FAMILY, PROPERTY AND SUCCESSION GENDER INEQUALITY AND RELIGIOUS PERSONAL LAWS IN INDIA HIGHLIGHTS THAT RELIGIOUS PERSONAL LAWS, TO VARIOUS EXTENTS. GIVE WOMEN FEWER RIGHTS THAN MEN. RELIGIOUS PERSONAL LAWS GAVE BIRTH TO TABOOS LIKE PATRIARCHY, EARLY MARRIAGE, DOWRY AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND CERTAIN DISCRIMINATION.