Transcript India
Hinduism A Hindu is… • “Any Indian who is not a Muslim, Christian, Parsi, or Jew.” (Republic of India, Hindu Family Law) • Term coined by Europeans circa 1800s to describe India’s most common patterns of religious thought and behavior. Hinduism is… • A collection of diverse practices with many sects. • A polytheistic religion originating in India. Goals of Life 1) Moksha = release from the cycle of death and rebirth. 2) Kama = sexual love. 3) Artha = success in worldly pursuits. 4) Dharma = ethical conduct. 3 Historical Ages • Age of the Vedas 2500 BCE - 600 BCE • Age of the Epics 600 BCE - 200 CE • Age of the Upanishads/Vaishnava Movement 7th - 12th centuries CE Age of the Vedas • 2500 BCE - 600 BCE • The Vedas are the most sacred of Hindu scriptures, common to all sects of Hinduism. Vedic India 1000 BCE - 500 BCE Age of the Epics • 600 BCE - 200 CE • The literature originating during this period is less authoritative but still very influential. • Bhagavad-Gita written during this period. Age of the Upanishads • 7th - 12th Centuries CE • Persian and Muslim invaders and influences • These new influences resisted assimilation, but resulted in new tendency in Hinduism toward monotheism. Spread of Islam into India 1200-1400 CE Note especially the Punjab region in the NW Religious Texts • The Vedas • The Upanishads • The Bhagavad-Gita The Vedas 1) 2) 3) 4) Rg Veda Sama Veda Yajur Veda Atharva Veda * All sects of Hinduism share the Vedic texts. Rg Veda • • • • Lyric hymns (sukta) to various deities. Earliest portions written circa 1200 BCE Mostly devotional and laudatory. The sacrificer calls upon the gods through his singing and asks for some blessing. Sama Veda • Hymns relating specifically to soma sacrifice. • Soma = a ritual inebriating drink. • All but 75 of the verses in the Sama Veda are found in the Rg Veda. Yajur Veda • Sacrificial prayers • The Rg Veda, Sama Veda, and Yajur Veda form the Trayi Vidya, or “3-fold knowledge.” Atharva Veda • A lesser collection of hymns, not included in the trayi vidya. • Includes hymns intended for healing, battle, and medicinal charms as well as some hymns of praise. The Pantheon of Gods • Thousands of gods. • Brahman = Ultimate Being • Hindu Trinity • Shiva = Destroyer • Vishnu = Preserver • Brahma = Creator Vishnu • The gods have many incarnations, spouses, progeny, and aspects. Shiva Vishnu the Boar Rescuing the earth from the oceans. Vishnu in this incarnation is called Varaha. Vishnu as Krishna 4 Estates ~ Varna 1) 2) 3) 4) Brahmin (priest class) Kshatriya (warrior/king class) Vaishya (merchant class) Shudra (serf/peasant class) 5) Harijans (untouchables) <-- not used by all European Imperialism Indian Partition 1947 What’s Next? • Week 3 Handout will be ready Friday. • Monday next week will be devoted to the Eastman Hinduism readings. • Friday’s film is Monsoon Wedding • It’s time to reserve your tickets for the Rosza events.