-Way of life-Variety of paths

-Extreme asceticism to extreme sensuality

-British Traders= 19th century-Sanatana Dharma---

-“eternal religion”- 333 million gods or just 1 god?

-Development----No emphasis on chronology-Events/people intermixed with embellishments/symbolism

Aboriginal people= DravidiansUrban centers= 2500 B.C.Harappa---“Great Bath”-Mohenjo Daro-

Mohenjo Daro

Aryans overrun DravidiansVedas- religious text- foundations to sanatana dharmaSanskrit--- Vedas- basis of upper-class Brahmanic HinduismVedas---

SamhitasBrahmanasAranyakasUpanishads

Transmitted orally for centuriesRig Veda---

IndraAgniSomaUshas

Membership to caste—

Code of Manu (100)---laws governing all aspects of life:gender roles in the code

Indian government outlaws caste- 1948

Realities of caste system today----

Intro. to caste system video clip

Religious justification for caste--

Ancient Hindu Texts

Sanskrit poem400 BC- 400 ADShows all sides of human naturePrimary ethic---Consideration of others= basis of dharmaBhagavad-Gita

What idea is being conveyed with the following video clips----

1)War---

2) Meeting Bagger Vance-----

3) Authentic Swing----

4) In the woods------

Ancient Hindu Texts: part 2

Epics= eternal play of good vs. evil

Written between 400 BC- 200 AD

Examples of the “virtuous life”

Stories acted out every year in India

Ideals of ….

Bhatki- devotion to personal manifestation of Brahman …. Meaning?Brahman, Atman, Moksha… abstract- difficult to relate to….-Puranas- epics created to personalize deities-(500 AD)

RamayanaMahabharata

Vishnu is supreme- intervenes in the world (think Krishna in the Gita)

Brahma the Creator Vishnu the Preserver Shiva (Sita) the Destroyer

World CyclesEach cycle is 4,320,000 years longEach cycle divided into 4 ages (yugas)

1. 2. 3.4. Kali Yuga-

Struggle between dharma and dissolution

Role of Vishnu:

Avatars---- Lord Vishnu and 10 …

-samsara--- cycle of birth, death, and rebirth-Liberation- goal is to break the cycle (Moksha)-Relationship to the caste system-------

-Dharma----

-Karma-----

Karma--- List 5 positive actions you have done in your life and how you might later see their consequences.

List 5 negative actions you have done in your life and how you might later see their consequences.

Dharma---- List 5 roles that you are required to fulfill in life and incorporate the responsibilities/expectations for each role. (1. Student: obedience, challenging, questioning, learning, etc.; 2. Son/Daughter: ….)

Two Philosophical Approaches to Hinduism

1. Samkhya----

Purusha: purity (think of it like heaven)

vs.

Prakriti: distractions here on earth

- We are all inherently divine but we forget b/c of our earthly concerns.

- Dualistic sense of life …

2. Advaita Vedanta----

-Based from Upanishads

-Monistic system as opposed to being in a dualistic system

Shankara (Medieval philosopher)– Atman and Brahman are inseparably one

Material life is simply illusionary sense of self over consciousness of One

Goal- overcome illusion =

attain enlightenment

Directions: Over the course of the next two days, you will be investigating part of the religious culture of Hinduism. Culture is something that is ever changing, fluid, and demonstrated in a variety of ways depending on the location, people involved and time period. We will be concentrating on the following topics: spiritual disciplines, cults, and holidays/festivals.

Steps to Complete Requirements----1.Spend today/tonight reading and learning all you can about your topic. Don’t rely on one site but go to as many as time affords you.2.Tomorrow: You will design a one-page handout explaining the following: what is your topic; why is it important in Hindu culture; 3-5 interesting/important facts about the topic which should include example(s) to help the class understand the topic/concept; a visual on the handout that relates to your topic. Additionally, if you are able to find a video clip (less than a minute) to share with the class, that will be encouraged.3.Thursday- You will present to the class in a 3 minute presentation with copies of your handout for everyone.

Grading1.Participation2.Content- depth of understanding3.Oral Presentation4.Handout

Total Points= 20 Topics

1.Gurus 7. Saivites2.Raja Yoga8. Saktas 3.Jnana Yoga 9. Puja/Prasad4.Karma Yoga 10. Holi5.Bhaki Yoga 11. Durga Puja6.Vaishnavites 12. Diwali

Hinduism as an ethnic religion:

Recent History:

British Involvement in India

Tension with Muslims (partition= 1948)

Kashmir---

Key Figures:

Swami Vivekananda

Gandhi---

Ramakrishna:

India= secular nation? ….

Exclusive or universal?

Indian Supreme Court states a Hindu must:

Role of Government in shaping Hinduism:

Hinduism Around the World:

Transcendental Meditation:

International Society for Krishna Consciousness:

Hindu Influence on Western World:

Julia Roberts takes up Hinduism

Aug 6, 2010, 11.31am IST

Hollywood superstar Julia Roberts has converted to Hinduism in the hope of having a peaceful life in her next incarnation.

The 42-year-old actress, who was born to a Baptist and Catholic couple, is now a practicing Hindu after visiting India while shooting her upcoming movie 'Eat Pray Love'.Speaking to the September issue of Elle magazine, the Academy award winning actress said she now goes to temples to "chant, pray and celebrate" accompanied by her cameraman husband Daniel Moder and their three children, Hazel, Phinnaeus and Henry.

Beatles in India (1968)Maharishi Mahesh Yogi

We were talking-about the space between us allAnd the people-who hide themselves behind a wall of illusion

Never glimpse the truth-then it's far too late-when they pass away.

We were talking-about the love we all could share-when we find itTo try our best to hold it there-with our love

With our love-we could save the world-if they only knew.

Try to realize it's all within yourselfNo-one else can make you change

And to see you're really only very small,And life flows on within you and without you.

We were talking-about the love that's gone so cold and the people,Who gain the world and lose their soul-

They don't know-they can't see-are you one of them?

When you've seen beyond yourself-then you may find, peace of mind,Is waiting there-

And the time will come when you seewe're all one, and life flows on within you and without you.

- George Harrison, 1967