Transcript Hinduism
Hinduism “Hinduism is more of a culture than a creed or religion.” “Hinduism is a loose confederation of cults and customs, a collage of ideas and spiritual aspirations.” • Hinduism is very patriotic, it is a focus on “Mother India” and Indian traditions • Hindu’s tend to be non-judgemental and open to many viewpoints Is there a God? • Most Hindus believe in a God or many Gods, but some forsake Gods and worship and focus on the self • Hindus can worship as many Gods as they like (there are many) • Most Hindus do not consider themselves polytheistic because they believe all deities come from Brahman (reality), and that any Gods are just personifications or ways to approach Brahman Holy Texts • The Upanishads (cultural reform) • encourages looking to the self for truth, instead of looking to Gods • emphasizes that the path to salvation is knowledge and insight • teaches that truth can be verified by logical reason and experience Holy Texts • The Ramayama (role models) • Rama (husband) -- the personification of righteousness • Sita (wife) -- epitome of piousness, loyalty, and courteousness Holy Texts • The Bhagavad Gita (ethics) • emphasizes the role of a person is to perform their duty without fail • teaches that knowledge, work, and devotion are they keys to salvation • teaches that salvation is available to all, social class is not a barrier to salvation Hindu Core Beliefs • Caste System The “world soul” (the basis for social order) is divine intervention -- the intended natural order • Brahmans -- rulers • Rajanya -- nobles • Vaishya -- wealthy, powerful • Shudras -- working class, serfs • Untouchables -- lowest class of person Hindu Core Beliefs • The Cycle of Births and Deaths • Hindus believe in transmigration of the soul, or reincarnation based on your Karma you are reborn higher or lower in the cycle • a person’s goal is to climb the cycle until they reach Moksha (salvation) and escape from the cycle • Hindus believe in cremation so that their ashes can be spread out over the Ganges River, “the river of life” and then begin their next life • rivers are very important to Hindus because of their cyclic nature Hindu Core Beliefs • Karma (actions) and Dharma (duty) • there are no absolutes, truth is individual and depends on caste • your goal is to fulfill your duty, and no one else's it is better to fail at your own duty than to succeed at another’s • duty is appropriate to each person and their time of life e.g. • children should love their parents and study • husbands should love and respect their wives • parents should love and guide their children • the only absolute duty is the pursuit of Moksha Hindu Core Beliefs • Paths to Salvation (Moksah) • • • • • The Way of Knowledge spiritual knowledge replaces human ignorance discipline through meditation -- Yoga control of breath allows for escape of the soul “Om” -- calling on the ultimate and asking for guidance Hindu Core Beliefs • Paths to Salvation (Moksah) • • • • The Way of Action live your life correctly meet your obligations -- Dharma fulfill ethical obligations -- action is greater than inaction Hindu Core Beliefs • Paths to Salvation (Moksah) • • • • The Way of Devotion make a commitment to God and accept his truths perform acts of worship -- hymn, prayer, statues, etc. recognize that salvation is a gift from God Hindu Core Beliefs • Moksha • release from evil, grief, suffering and decay (considered the dominant aspects of life) • the end of the cycle of births and deaths • the end of suffering and human limitations Hindu Core Beliefs • Non-Violence • fundamental element of Hindu culture and beliefs • stems form the open-mindedness and acceptance of Hindus • Mohandes (Mahatma) Gandhi Hindu Core Beliefs • The Sacred Cow • the cow is a symbol of the earth and “mother India” • feeding a cow is a holy ritual, everything about a cow’s life is sacred • Most, but not all Hindus are vegetarians, but that is not solely because of this belief