hinduism
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By Abbas Hussain
AREPP
ObjectivesBy the end of the presentation learners will be
able toKnow about the origin of Hinduism as religion
and the origin of word it self.Understand the caste system in Hindu religionDiscuss upon the 4 stages of life of a Hindu manIdentify sacred texts and their importance with
Hindu teachings.Conceptualize the idea of rebirth and liberationList down different Hindu observances like ritual
purification, pilgrimage and festivals.
OriginThe Aryans noble man or land lordsCivilization of 2500 BCEAreas of Indus valleyReligion of aryan was arya-dharmaHindus consider them as their source and
inspiration.
Cont….The term Hindu is corruption of word SindhuIt is the Sanskrit name for Indus RiverToday applied to members of Hindu religionSome preferred to be called by caste or
community.Most common description is sanatana
dharma the eternal law
Social structureCasteSocial stratification called varna (color)Caste system develop due to multiracial
society others says
Imposed by lighter skin aryans when they conquered darker ones
Highly complex system comprising of 3000 groups
Four major classesBrahmana or brahminKshatriyaVaisyaSudra
BrahminsCentral place of powerPriests, the spiritual and intellectual leadersSpent time in studying, teaching, performing
sacrifices and officiating religious services.
KshtriyasRulersWarriorsNobles protectedAdministrativePromote material welfare of soceity
VaisyasFarmersMerchantsTradersContribute to economic well-being
SudrasLaborersServantsSupply service to first three groups
ChandalasThe fifth categoryUntouchablesStatus is so low that does not belong to any
classExcluded from communal rituals not permitted to draw water from public
wells
Justification for social stratificationKarma the actionSamsara the reincarnationBirth in particular class determine past life
karma“Those who conduct here on earth has been
good will quickly attain some good birth-birth as brahmin, birth as kshatriya, or birth as a vaisya. But those whose conduct here has been evil will quickly attain some evil birth- birth as dog,birth as pig,or birth as chandala.” (Chandogya Upanishad 5.10.7)
The stages of lifeAshrama the stages of lifeThe specific set of duties and
responsibilities of male Hindu of three upper class
The stages are youth adult hood middle age old age
Youth (brahmacarin)A studentAge between eight and tweleveDisciplined and instructed by guruServe guru with absolute humility
Adult hood (grishashta)A house holderLive an active married lifeApply three ideals of social living like observance of accepted religious duties accumulation of wealth and enjoyment of
sensual pleasure
Middle age (Vanaprastha)Forest dwellerHairs turns grey or first grandson bornLead a life of reflection and meditationExpected for complete detachment from
material life
Old age (sannyasin)RenouncerLife of wandering asceticGoal is to attain liberation from rebirth or
reincarnation
Hindu sacred textNo single definitive textStill classified in to two parts Shruti Smriti
Shruti (hearing)Group of writing having eternal and sacred
knowledgeRevealed to rishis or seersTransmitted orally to brhamin generationsIt has four major texts the Vedas the Brahmanas the Aranyakas the Upanishads
The Vedas (bodies of knowledge)
Rig Veda Mostly prayers and praise Collection of 1000 hymns
Sama- Veda Rythmic chants from rig veda
Yajur- Veda Prose passages on sacrificial rituals
Atharva- Veda Magical spells, incantations and kingly duties.
The BrahmanasHave mystical meanings of many ritesDescribe detail ritual
The Aranyaks (forest books)Written for religious aestheteEsoteric in content Express innermost nature of human kind and
universe
The UpanishadsBasic philosophy of hinduismViewed as culmination of sacred knowledge
Smriti (memory)Represent traditionExamples are The Epic The Code of Manu The Puranas
The EpicMahabharata Longest epic : deals with law, religion and
politicsHas three famous stories bhagvad geeta (song of lord) dialogue between warrior and blessed lord Krishna
Ramayana Story of prince Ramam
The code of ManuMarriage lawsDietary regulationsDuties of various casteCivil and criminal laws Daily rites and scarifiesEthical subjects
The PuranasGnealogy of gods, sages and kingsDescription of creation, destruction and
recreation of universeScriptures of the common folk
Hindu teachingsAbsolute reality
Female Energetic, violent, emotional and potentially destructivee.g. goddess Kali
Male Cool, dispassionate and serene.e.g. devas like Varuna, Mitra and Vishnu
The MantrasFormulation of truth in soundInternalized speech of truth
RebirthEvery living form is subject to an indefinite
series of lives and existencesFuture existence is determine by law of karma
“well then…I shall tell you about this profound and eternal Brahman and also about what happens to the atman (soul) after meeting death. Some soul enter the womb for the purpose of re embodiment and some enter into stationary objects-according to their work (karma) and according to their knowledge.” (Katha Upanishads2.2.6-7;3.4).
LiberationFour basic needs of human lifeFirst two are pleasure and wealth (path of
desire).Last two are moral duty and liberation (path
of renunciation)Ultimate satisfaction of their duty is moksha,
liberation from cycles of rebirth
Hindu observancesDevotional obligations a hindu should make five offering daily, to
gods, to ancestors, to seers, to animals and to the poor.
private devotion also consist of tending sacred house hold fire, recitation of text, repetition of mantras, meditation and yoga exercises.
ceremonial awakening and bathing of the deity and invocation of name of deity.
Hindu observancesRitual purification concepts of cleanliness and
contamination. two aspects of internal and external
purificationExternal: washing and bathingInternal: esoteric techniques by prescribed
formulas or yogic posture.
PilgrimageVisiting holy placesMany hope to die in the precincts of varansai
(benares).
FestivalsActs of worship, fasting vigils, bathing,
recitation of chants, taking of vows, lightening of lamp, fairs, games, drinking, gambling and offering gifts to Brahman.
Divali or Dipavali: cluster of lightsHoli or Hutashami
References:Nigosian.S.A. 2000. World religion a
historical approach, Hinduism. 3rd edition.Basu. D.A. 2002. The essence of Hinduism
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