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HINDUISM SHIVA VISHNU BRAHMA Hindu Gods GENESHA KALI Hinduism -1 Video Hinduism-2 Video Hindu Gods KRISHNA RAMA Hinduism-3 Video Hinduism-4 Video Hinduism-5 Video Location of Hinduism Hinduism World Status • Hinduism: 900 million • 15% of world population • Third largest world religion • Christianity 32% • Islam 22% • Secular/Non-religious 15% Origins of Hindu Culture Before the Aryans the Dravidians Indian civilization inhabited the Indus Valley. • Early tribal people, Dasas, described as dark skinned, thick lipped, possessing cattle and speaking a strange language • Advanced civilization from Harappa to Mohenjo-Daro – planned cities with a sewage system connected to some houses • Language has not be deciphered. • Religion mainly unknown but had figurines and sculptures of people meditating – fertility gods and goddess? Origins of Hindu Culture Indo-Aryans (Indo-Europeans) began to invade the India sub-continent about 1800 to 1500 B.C. • Source of Greek, Latin, Celts, German, Slav language • Oral tradition called the Vedas Rishi (seer) – drank “Soma” a hallucinogenic to experience the gods and wrote down in hymns that would become the Vedas Origins of Hindu Culture Began to become acclimated to new environment and become agriculturists Ruler (rajah=rex), private army, priests Priests would supersede simple rituals and be the only available source for sacrifice – priests called Brahmins. • Brahmanas are the books of the Brahmins that record the sacrifices and their power Origins of Hindu Culture Origins of Hindu Culture The term “Hindu” had its origin from the Muslims conquerors who used it to describe the inhabitants of Northern India. Hinduism was use by the British for the diverse religious traditions of the people of India. Today it is used popularly to describe the religious life distinct from Christianity and Islam. There is no unified religious entity so it is best to talk of “Hindu traditions.” Hindu Religion “We venture to predict that Hinduism is not a religion at all, but a series of loosely strung and infinitely varied sacerdotal and sociological artificial conventions to which a religious verisimilitude has been imparted by the ancient law-givers, but which is nevertheless daily undergoing endless fluctuations, not only in any given locality, but throughout the Hindu world.” (V. N. Narasimmiyengar True Hinduism, 5) Hindu Religion Sanatana Dharma • Contemporary scholars prefer this term to describe the Hindu religion. • Meaning – ageless way of moral order, duty and natural law of the cosmos. Hindu-ness • Political identification Hindu Religion Sanatana Dharma Encompasses • Mystical texts referring to the formless and transcendent self • Abstract philosophical treatises that disagree with each other about the truth of existence • A wealth of ascetic meditation practices for realization of the eternal • Large pantheon of deities Hindu Culture & Religion Extremely varied personal beliefs allowed Cannot separate from the culture To be Hindu, a religion has to: • Regard the Vedas as divinely inspired and authoritative • Accept the caste system • Respect the veneration of the various levels of deities and spirits, including the protection of cows Recognizing them as authoritative does not mean accepting them as literally true or practicing them as commanded Winfried Corduan Hindu Religion Not a creedal religion Both Christianity and Islam are creedal religion where people may come to faith in God through belief and conviction • Islam – anyone can become a Muslim by saying the Kalima • Christianity – through faith in Christ A non-Hindu can hold the same beliefs as a Brahman friend but is still considered an outcast “Let him live a pious life and then, after many transmigrations, his soul may be at least reborn into a Hindu family.” History of Hinduism Two Early Periods • The Vedic Period (1500 B.C. – 500 B.C.) • The Philosophic Period (500 B.C. – A.D. 500) Vedas – literally means “knowledge” but basically refers to the four sacred scriptures, often includes the Upanishads and their commentaries (sometimes used to refer to all the Hindu sacred writings). • Originally revealed to holy men who wrote them down. History of Hinduism Vedic Period (1500 B.C. – 500 B.C.) • Aryans, speaking Sanskrit, authors of the RigVeda (lit. knowledge enshrined in verses) • Rig-Veda – oldest collection of 1,028 prayerful Sanskirt hymns – prayers addressed devas (gods) “shinning ones” who dwell on earth, the heavens, and intermediate air (as early as 1500) • Like Greeks, practiced ancestor worship, worshipped nature gods or devas (Lat. deus). Devas invested with personal attributes, bright beings with superhuman powers dwelling in celestial regions. Origins of Hindu Culture/Religion VEDIC TEXTS Hinduism based on Vedic Texts written between 1500 – 500 BC • Shruti – “that which is heard” distinguish from later writings • Smriti – “that which is remembered” also considered by some as authoritative (considered less sacred and non-Vedic) Four parts of the Vedic texts • Samhitas (1500 – 900 BC) – “collection” of hymns • Brahmanas (850 BC) – Caste • Aranyakas – Later part of Brahmanas • Upanishads (500 BC) – Philosophical: Brahman, Atman, Maya, Yoga, Nirvana Origins of Hindu Culture/Religion • Other Vedas basically dependent on RigVeda Yajur-Veda – mostly in prose, meant to supply dedication, prayers, and litanies recited by priests in the course of their duties in sacrifices Sama-Veda – Chants for worship by priests derived from Rig-Veda Atharva-Veda – Charms, incantations and spells (considered somewhat inferior and associated with folk religion) Origins of Hindu Culture/Religion • Over time the sacrificial system developed to compel the gods to grant appropriate rewards. • Brahmans (priests) alone knew how to offer sacrifice aright and extract favors from the gods and they took on a sacred position. • Aryans kept a distinction between themselves and the darker skin indigenous population the Sudras (serfs) and they as Dvija (twice born). • Varna (color) – distinction between races; source of caste system Philosophic Period Caste system • Based on dharma (religious duty) • Each person born into a caste community • Each person has his/her duty with community • Every community has its own religion/god • Preservation of social and ceremonial purity Origins of Hindu Culture/Religion • Aryans four castes (1st three = twice born) Kshatriyas – warriors and princes Brahmins – priests and instructors Vaishyas – Agriculturalists and merchants Shudras – Workers (surfs) • Hundreds of subcastes (jati) • Twice born have full participation in Hindu life Study of Vedas, puberty initiation, & social leadership • Aryans controlled study of Vedas • Aryans brought all of India under their control and people assimilated their beliefs with Aryan beliefs Origins of Hindu Culture/Religion • Brahmins (priests) until recently were sole custodians of study of the Vedic texts • Different brahmans: Brahman – the impersonal pantheistic god Brahma – the personal creator god Brahmin – the priest & priestly caste Brahmanas – priestly commentaries on the Vedas Origins of Hindu Culture/Religion Development of deities per Corduan, p. 193: Deity Features Dyaus Pitar Original supreme sky god, losing significance Pritivi Mater Mother earth Varuna Later sky god, losing significance Indra King of gods, supreme during Vedic period Mitra A sun god; ritual and moral purity Rita God of truth and right Vishnu A sun god; later the Preserver Rudra Capricious mountain god; later Shiva Agni God of fire Soma God of drink or immortality (soma) Brahmanaspati Spoken word; gaining significance History of Hinduism Way Origin Scriptures Practice Vedas, Sutras, Brahmanas. Code of manu Detailed observance of laws & rituals, governed by priests Knowledge 500 B.C. Upanishads (Vedanta) Mystical recognition of Atman-Brahman identity, withdrawal Devotion (Bhakti) Bhagavad Gita, Tamil poetry, Puranas Attachment to one god or goddess; three main schools Works 1500 B.C. 200 B.C. – A.D.800 By Winfried Corduan, Neighboring Faiths, p. 192 Periods of Hinduism Beliefs Three Paths (Margas) to Moksha • Karma Marga (Way of Action or works) Vedic period Dependent on priests and rituals • Jnana Marga (Way of Knowledge) by Yoga 500 B.C. System of mystical contemplation • Bhakti Marga (Way of Devotion) 200 B.C. to A.D. 800 From south India – Tamil Love of a god or goddess provides salvation Philosophic Period Inana – Way of Knowledge • Belief system with mystical contemplation • Reaction against priests and rituals controlled by priests • Recorded in Upanishads Vedas focused on priestly ritual Upanishads seek a deeper spiritual reality • Yoga • Form of Sankhya system • Perfect pose by which desire is subdued • No fresh round of karma set in motion Philosophic Period Two philosophic schools of thought • Sankhya – source of Buddhism • Vedanta Sankhya • Dualistic and atheistic • Denies any beginning or a creator • Two eternal realities: praakriti and purushas which are both considered real Matter (Western categories) Spirit Philosophic Period Vedanta • Non-dualistic • Atman the only reality, all else is illusion (maya) Philosophic Period Way of Knowledge • Vendata or Vedantic philosophy • Search for ultimate secret of all existence • Search for release from transmigration of the soul • Epics literature – legends of gods and heroes • Rise of Buddhism Philosophic Period Ultimate Reality • What is behind the changing phenomena? Brahman – pantheistic impersonal god Atman – true self • Brahman – one true reality Unchanging something – reality Impersonal, all-pervasive being English – referred to as “world soul” Only true reality Maya – besides Brahman all else maya (illusion) Gods and worship are manifestations of Brahman Philosophic Period Brahman Since not by speech and not by thought, Not by the eye can it be reached, How else may it be understood, But only when one says, “it is”? Katha Upansishad Tat, the All, Brahman without attributes Tat tvam asi – “that art thou” Key is to transcend world of experience Philosophic Period Maya – Lit. “play” • Related to the word magic • Daily life is just magic play • Life seen as “illusion” • Maya’a reality is derived from Brahman • No reality within itself E.g. image created by a projector • Everything we experience rationally belongs to maya Feelings, emotions, thoughts Philosophic Period Atman • Reality inside a person that is not maya • True self • Atman is Brahman – message of Upanishads • God resides in the depth of person • Soul of the Universe Beyond thought and distinction Philosophic Period Life of sannyasin • Leave one’s previous environment and renounce worldly attachments & discipline • Seek one’s true identity apart from the world • Attain moksha, the release from samsara and maya • If attained, at death will return to AtmanBrahman (reenters Brahman as a drop of water in the ocean) • Nirvana – a state of supreme bliss is accomplished Philosophic Period Bhakti (loving attachment) – Way of Devotion • Mid-second millennium A.D. • Bhakti is at the heart of most contemporary Hinduism • Popular in southern India (non-Aryan or dravidians); today are Tamil people • Not through impossible works nor secret knowledge not easily attainable but through a loving relationship with a god or goddess • Devotion to a god need not exclude serving others • Roots of Bhakti is found in the Bhagavad Gita (200 B.C.) where Krishna, an avatar of Vishnu tells heroic warrior, Arjuna to attach to him and do his caste duty Philosophic Period Two influential Hindu Philosophers • Sankara (8th century) World is totally illusion Only reality is “brahman” Religion was the pursuit deliverance from deception • Ramanuja (12th century) Absolute reality of this world Human soul was separate from the godhead and could relate itself to god not by absorption but by devotion. The Gods Brahman manifests itself in three gods. Rise of three gods above the pantheon of gods. • Brahma – Creator of visible things; since work is done there is no need to worship (what Brahma creates, Sheva destroys so new universe can be made • Vishnu – Lord of protection (avatars) • Shiva – Lord of destruction It is said that there are 330,000,000 gods • Exaggerated • Many gods and go by different names The Gods Primary Hindu Gods & Bhakti Hinduism Schools Brahman Brahma ---------------- Vishnu ---------------- Shiva ---------------- Goddess (devi) Sarasvati Lakshmi Parvati Durga, Kali -------- ------- Draupadi Genesha Periachi and Lakshimi Skandar Mariamman Vaishnavite Shaivite Shaktite School School School Vertical Marks Horizontal Marks Avatars of Vishnu Adapted from Corduan, Neighboring Faith – p. 201 The Gods Each male god is associated with a female deity, his “shakti” which means “source of power” • Generally a consort or broadly a wife • Goddess infuses the god with energy to do his work Each god has also has a certain symbolic representation and a riding animal. Multiple arms represents power The Gods Brahma • • • • Creator Represented by four heads Originally had five but Shiva cut it off Images in many temples but not many temples dedicated to him • Not a major Bhakti god • His shakti, Sarasvati is a popular goddess Receives a lot of veneration Her representation is a musical instrument, e.g. sitar The Gods Vishnu • • • • • • People look to him for salvation Also look to one of his avatars Vertical line(s) on forehead Known as the preserver Emphasis on chanting, dancing, & meditation Recognized by having four arms with a conch shell, lotus blossom, a discus, and a mace. • Riding animal is a bird but also shown reclining on a snake • Most concern for maintaining dharma, duty • Born into the world as heroic person or animal to put world on right track then dies to The Gods Avatars of Vishnu – incarnations of Vishnu in various forms which veil rather than reveal the god within. Usually ten avatars from myths: • • • • • • • • • Matsya – Fish Kurma – Turtle Varaha – Boar Narasimba – Man-Lion Vamana – Dwarf Parashu-Rama – Rama with an ax Rama – Hero of Ramayana (wife sita, Hanuman) Krishna – Teacher of Bhagavad Gita (wife Rada) Buddha (9th avatar) – Founder of Buddhism Balarama – Alernate, brother of Krishna • Kalki – Horse , future avatar (period when dharma supreme) The Gods Rama (avatar of Vishnu) • Hero of epic Ramayana His wife, Sita Abducted by demon king, Ravana • Rescues wife with help of friends Brother Lakshman Monkey god, Hanuman • Usually hold a long bow • Color green dominant • Rama Bhakti emphasizes Rama’s love and grace to grant salvation Baby monkey school (believer clings to mother) Cat school (believer carried by mother, all Rama) The Gods Krishna • • • • • • 8the avatar of Vishnu Very popular god to worship Color is usually dark or blue Play a flute Usually seen with his wife, Radha Appears in the Bhagavad-Gita as a profound teacher • Myth Victorious over demon king Another view is a mischievous and amorous wonder-worker in folklore with amorous and erotic adventures The Gods Hare Krishna Movement • International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKON), form of Vaishnavite Bhakti • Krishna is the supreme form of a personal god ISKON followers are basically monotheistic • Source is 16th century teacher, Caitanya • A. C. Bhktivedanta Prabhupada popularized it in U.S. In 1960s at age 70, retired pharmaceuticals salesman • Popular in U.S. in early 70s but has declined The Gods Krishna - Five Essential Teachings • Krishna is the supreme personal god • Salvation can be obtained by chanting the mantra, Hare Krishna 1000 time a day Special worship of singing and dancing • The Bhagavad-Gita is inspired scripture • Devotee must live a pure life devoted to Krishna Abstaining from meat, caffeine, sweets, and sex for pleasure • Distributing literature to raise the consciousness of the message Shiva The Gods • Followed by most Bhakti Hindus Highest god • Called the destroyer (of evil) Worship more austere Can cause harm • connected to early days being Rudra Horizontal lines on forehead (tilaka) “self-inflicted extremes of devotion” • Represented in various ways Phallic symbol (lingam) with yoni (vagina representation) Rides a bull Trident is main symbol Ganesha The Gods • Older son of Shiva & Parvati • Myth – Shiva severs head but after calms down vows to replace it with head he see, an elephant • Known as remover of obsticles • therefore his followers seek him to overcome difficulties in life • Learned in Hindu writings & wise • Skandar • Younger brother of Ganesha • God of war The Goddesses Shaktism – goddess is the principle object of worship • Two most popular, Durga or Kali • Unfaithful consorts of Shiva • Use of sexual motifs Durga • Conquering poses • Overcame buffalo-headed demon • One of ten arms hold trident and other war implements • Given blood as worship items Durga The Goddesses Kali – goddess of violence • • • • • • Directed toward evil & demons Black & Gruesome look Necklace of sculls Belt of severed arms Given blood in worship Stands on a tiger or Shiva’s body Thagis – cult of Kali that practiced human sacrifices • Outlawed by Britain in late 19th century Tantrism – sexual emulation to release energy Elements of Hinduism Beliefs Transmigration of the soul • Samasara (reincarnation) – lit. means wandering, chains of finite existence that holds the soul to this world • An individual is transmigrated from one existence to another according to one’s behavior (karma) or merit or lack of merit • Not mentioned in Vedas • Important source for caste system - hope • Possibly assimilated from indigenous people • Negative – being in world is suffering Elements of Hinduism Beliefs Karma – cause and effect • A person’s life consists of actions both good and bad (not sin or judgment) • The amount of merit or demerit to be worked off will determine ones next status in life • Could be a Brahman, an outcast, a woman, a dog, a plant, or a worm eaten by a fish • Explains differences in human life • Good or bad health or poverty and riches due to karma Elements of Hinduism Beliefs Highest goal of Hinduism • Find release from the samasara cycle • Moksha – release from action and rebirth • Find nirvana by knowledge of the supreme Truth of the brahma-atman the soul is released from the life cycle • Found by very few “As rivers flow and disappear at last In ocean’s waters, name and form renouncing So too the sage, released from name and form, Is merged in the divine and ultimate existence.” Mundaka Upanishad Hindu Worship Temple (jagopuram) • Usually dedicated to one god • Has images to other god in separate rooms or inset in walls • Gods live in their statues so statues must be washed and cared for • Daily worship – person removes shoes and places money before god, can chant, color mark on head • Temple service (puja – sacrifice) Procession of gods with music, ring bells, no chanting Hindu Worship Daily Worship • Dependent on caste • High caste Hindu men pray three times a day, sunrise most practiced • Household that house a god must perform puja, washed, dressed, decorated, and given food at every meal. Puja – homage, showing respect to the deities • Usually performed by father of the household (wealthy families have their own Brahmin priest) Life Cycle – Rites of Passage Code of Manu divides life into four stages • First is student Rituals regarding birth • Ritual to protect unborn from evil spirits • Rituals to help new child to be a boy • Rituals for god to protect child, goddess Periachi Ritual for males of Twice Born castes • Cord over shoulder, renewed once a year • Begins in theory to study Vedas Marriage (2nd stage with raising children) • Arranged and within caste • Walk around sacred fire • Red dot on wife’s forehead to indicate married Life Cycle – Rites of Passage Withdrawal from earning living and devoting more time to prayer, meditation, and worship for the man – 3rd stage • Partial renunciation and withdrawal Complete renunciation (4th stage) • Pursuit of the Vedantic ideal of seeking moksha • Withdraw from family and live alone to achieve final goal Funeral rites • Body bathed with water, milk, honey & coconut milk • Burned on funeral pyre • Sati practiced primarily in past Festivals & Special Days Each goddess has a day of descent or “birthday” which celebrated in the temple • Holi – celebration of Krishna Many festivals associated with various gods and goddesses New Years • Homes are decorated with mango leaves • Women draw auspicious diagrams on temple floor Festival of Lights • Autumn to honor goddess Lakshmi usually • Lights to guide goddess to bring prosperity Hindu Worldview Universal Reality gods Individual Karma Samsara Material World Christianity & Hinduism Both have a sense of transcendence Illusionary satisfaction (pleasure does not bring fulfillment) Bhakti = worship and devotion to a supernatural being Self-knowledge – know who we are Karma as sowing what you reap Self-denial Sacrifice Important Terms in Hinduism Sacred Cow – honored by Krishna Indian scriptures tell us that the cow is a gift of the gods to the human race. It is a celestial being born of the churning of the cosmic ocean. Guias the cow is called in Hindi, is symbolic of Earth itself . It follows that the cow represents the Divine Mother that sustains all human beings and brings them up as her very own offspring. . . Hence to take care of this innocent and selfsacrificing animal is a matter of virtue for Hindus who identify the act ad dharma or moral duty. Important Terms in Hinduism Ahimsa – doing no injury by word or deed Atman – the soul Avataras – alternate forms that gods take Bhakti – devotion Brahma – the personal creator god Brahman – the impersonal pantheistic god Brahmanas – priestly commentaries on the Vedas Brahmin – the priest & priestly caste Sacred Cow – honored by Krishna Important Terms in Hinduism Dharma – duty; everyone in whatever place in life has his/her dharma Karma – cause and effect Maya – conscious illusion making power Moksha – transcend samsara; get off the wheel of rebirth and redeath Om – primordial sound vibration Pandit – One from the hereditary priestly caste learned in the ancient texts, customs, and rituals Puja – Homage, showing respect to the deities Important Terms in Hinduism Puranas – Mythological texts of ancient times and popular devotional texts Rishi (seer) – A poetic sage and authors of Vedic hymns Samsara – life cycle rebirth & redeath Shakti – consort of god Tilaka – decoration on the forehead to indicate god worshipped Sanskrit – Ancient language of the Hindu scripture Yoga (yoking to divinity) – techniques for transforming consciousness and attaining liberation. Sudra – Serfs, low caste