Chapter Four

Hinduism

World Religion

Milk Miracle

After watching the video give your thoughts on the statement from your book

“What is certain is that a miracle is a miracle because it confounds science, and baffles the mind”

Write your answer in your journal and place it in your portfolio. Make sure to reference the “milk miracle in your entry

Thousands in Toronto See Ganesha Miracle

Introduction:Hindu: Refers to the indigenous religion of

IndiaHinduism had changed over history, adapting

to the many cultures that have inhabited the region.

Hinduism has many parts that will be familiar to Canadians. VegetarianismReincarnationMeditationYoga

Hinduism

Origins:No particular founderThis allows for it to absorb new practices that

suited the dominant social and cultural ideas of the time.

The foundations of Hinduism were laid by two groups of peopleThe Indus Valley civilizationThe Aryans

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The Indus Valley CivilizationThe earliest evidence of religion in Is found hereDates back to 3000 BCE THAT’S OVER 5000 YEARS

AGO!!!Two main sites

Mohenjo-Daro Harappa

First grid citiesCities built to allow winds to blow throughFirst sewer systems(bathrooms on first and second

floorsFirst use of zoningMany religious artifacts found

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The arrival of the Aryans1500 BCE people move in destroying the Indus

civilization These people were from Central Asia. They were known as the AryansThey wrote poetry, ritual texts, hymns, and

philosophical writing known as the VedasVedas: Hinduism’s earliest sacred writingsThey worshiped gods that represented the destructive

forces of nature, and fire.Upanishads: Mystical text on human existence

It combined notion of prayer with philosophical inquiry about atman

Atman: Hindu word for the human soul.

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Beliefs:Non-Dogmatic Religion: People are free to

worship any set of doctrines or rules that they feel fits their beliefs.

Does not impose beliefs on othersDoes not believe in conversionThere are a set of rules that tell you how you

should act in almost every real life situation.Value mutual tolerance and respect

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Beliefs: The Hindu Concept of GodThis gets COMPLICATED!!Some say its monotheistic (one god)… Others polytheistic (many gods)….Some call it monastic (God is impersonal and

unknowable)

Hinduism’s tolerant quality lets these three beliefs exist together!!!

HERE’S HOW!!!

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Beliefs: The Hindu Concept of God (Continued)The early hymns (1200-900 BCE) praise

natural spirits(Fire, thunder, water, dawn, earth…)

These were seen as individual deities (gods)However the Vedic sages (priests/monks)

believe that these individual deities are part of the same supreme being.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

Well it means that you can worship the individual deities OR you can worship the supreme being and you will be fine!!!!!

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Beliefs: Brahman (BRA mun)Brahman: The supreme being of the Hindu

religion. It is an entity that cannot be known. The soul of the universe through which all things come from and return.

Its cannot be described, seenIt is unlimitedHindu’s are free to imagine what Brahman

looks like .This leads to the worshiping of different

deities, different parts of Brahman.

Video on beliefs Part 1

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Beliefs: Hindu Deities (The Hindu Trinity)Remember that all of the gods are seen as

parts of the one god the supreme creator Brahman

These are the most common form of Brahman.Each has a female counterpart.

Brahma and SaraswatiVishnu and LakshimiShiva and Parvati

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Beliefs: Deities: The Trinity: Brahma and Saraswati:Brahma: The creator of the universe.

He has four faces, is seated on a lotus, holds a book, rosary and gourd.

Of the trinity he is worshiped the leastSaraswati: The goddess of learning and the

arts.Depicted holding a book and an musical instrument

known as a veenaShe rides around on a peacock or a swan

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Brahma

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Saraswati

Beliefs: Deities: The Trinity: Vishnu and Lakshmi:Vishnu: Preserver of the universe, Loving and

forgiving figure who brings salvation.Has four arms, holds a conch, discus, lotus, and a

mace.His vehicle is a divine eagleHe takes on many forms to conquer evil.

Avatars: different forms or appearances of the same deity.

Lakshmi: The goddess of wealth, happiness and fortune.Often shown awarding worshipers with gold.

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Vishnu

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Lakshmi

Beliefs: Deities: The Trinity: Shiva and Parvati:Shiva: the destroyer and restorer of the universe and

is associated with the creator of new energy.He is considered a yogiYogi: spiritually involved individual. Gets involved with

humans.Depicted holding a trident, rosary and gourd in his handsHis vehicle is a bull.He is also depicted as Nataraj the god of dance, and has a

drum serpent and sacred fire.Parvati: Mother goddess of the Hindus

Worshiped as Shakti: or female energySeen often as Durga the warrior goddess, riding a tiger or

as Kali the destroyer of evil

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Shiva

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Parvati

Brahma and Saraswati

Vishnu and Lakshmi

Shiva and Parvati

Beliefs: Other Hindu Deities:Ganesha: Son of Shiva and Parvati

Human body with an elephant head with one tusk

Worshiped as remover of obstaclesThis is the milk miracle god

Subramanya: Worshiped by the Tamil population in southern India.

Hanuman: Model of devotion and everyone’s protector

Video on Gods

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Ganesha

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Subramanya Hanuman

Beliefs: AtmanAtman: The human soul or spirit.

It is a piece of Brahman inside you.The goal in Hinduism is to reunite the Atman

with Brahman.The atman is eternal and immortal, when you

die it lives on through reincarnation

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Beliefs: ReincarnationWhen the body dies the soul lives onSamsara: The endless cycle of death and rebirth.

(Through reincarnation)Hindus see the world we live in as temporary and ever

changingMaya: Term used to refer to life in the physical world.According to Hindu belief life in Maya is meaninglessThe goal of Hindu life is to achieve MokshaMoksha: The uniting of the atman with the Brahman

Or your soul becoming one with the universe.This brings an end to the cycle of death and rebirth.

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Beliefs: ReincarnationKarma: The total of ones actions in life.

Used to determine what form you will be reborn in after you die.Build bad karma and you will be born in a lower form

of life, maybe an animal.Build good karma and be born at a higher level

The goal is to build enough Karma to achieve Moksha which is at the top of the caste systemThe caste system will be discussed later

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Beliefs: Paths to Salvation:There are four paths to salvation.Following any one can bring you salvation if you are

follow it.1. Bhakti Yoga (Path of Devotion):Devoting your love to any

one particular deity. Singing and praying becomes a delight

2. Karma Yoga (Path of Action): Good deeds and thoughts will lead to the good karma. Unselfish acts that are done with no expectation of reward.

3. Jnana Yoga (Path of Wisdom): A guru teaches about Brahman and the atman using scriptures and meditation

4. Raja Yoga (Path of Meditation): Through mediation one can gain knowledge and become one with Brahman

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Beliefs: DharmaHindus refer to their religion as a DharmaDharma: A code of moral and righteous duty

It sets up the expectations for what people are supposed to do and how they should behave

It is needed to keep the individual, family, and society functioning.

There are two kinds1. Santana Dharma: Applies to everyone

regardless of sex, age, or profession2. Varnashrama Dharma: Gives specific roles for

people based on age, sex, and profession.

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Beliefs: Caste System.Caste System: A method of dividing Hindu

society into four specific classes or Varnas.

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Beliefs: Caste System.Untouchables: A fifth group outside of the

caste system. They are responsible for fulfilling unclean occupationsTanning leatherRemoving dead animalsWashing toilets

Because of the job they do they have lived separate from the rest of India's society

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Beliefs: The Caste System:Caste System: The organization of Hindu society into four

groups each with its own duties and expectations.The Castes:

Brahmin: The highest Hindu Caste. Consists of religious leaders

Kshatria: The military Caste. Consists of warriors and rulers.

Vaishya: The merchant/business owner caste.Sudra: The caste of servants and laborers.

Remember you are BORN INTO YOUR CASTE YOU FULFULL YOUR JOB IN THAT CASTE TO MOVE UPTHE GOAL IS MOKSHA UNITING THE SOUL WITH

BRAHMAN

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The Caste System Today:Today discrimination based on caste is bannedThe Indian government has introduced

programs to help those who have been hurt by the caste system

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Beliefs: The Four Stages of Life:The Caste system and the four stages of life

outline the social aspect of karma. They define how you should act in society.

The four stages:1. Student: Learn respect for elders, discipline,

rules and rituals of Hindu faith2. Householder: Marry, have family, care for

children and elders, give to charity, practice religion.

3. Forest Dweller: Retire, give household duties to wife or son, read, study, participate in pilgrimages

4. Ascetic: Give up worldly, wander, meditate, attain salvation.

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Beliefs: The four main goals of life:Dharma: Conduct all duties with compassion

toward all beings, leading a life free of jealousy, cruelty and greed.

Artha: Earning and power money by honest means.

Kama: Pursuing love and physical pleasures to balance life and sanctify marriage

Moksha: Leading the should toward salvation through honest and moral actions

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Beliefs: Women:Two contradictory views:

One side says honor and provide for themThe other says they are subordinate to men and

need to depend on themDivorce is allowedWomen from powerful families are able to gain

powerful positionsIndira Gandhi: Prime Minister of India 1966-77

1980-84Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit: First woman president of

UN 1953Indira Gandhi’s aunt…

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Practices, Rituals, Symbols, and Festivals:Daily worship takes place mainly at home

Going to a temple for prayer is always neededChildren learn from taking part in rituals at homeMany Hindus begin and end their day with some sort of

religious ritual.Most purify themselves with a bath before taking part in

rituals.Om: Is a spiritual reference to Brahman and is chanted

at beginning and end of all rituals.Prayers consist of chanting the names of gods, and

saying Mantras

Hindu chant

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Practices, Rituals, Symbols, and Festivals: Worship at Home:Homes usually have an decorated shrine that serves

as an alter for worshipThe shrine has pictures or sculptures of deities that

focus worship.Punja: The most common form of home worship

where offerings are made in thanks to specific deities.Traditionally there are 16 steps.Prasad: Food that is offered to gods, is split up among

participants and considered blessed.Homa: A ritual that involves the burning of offerings

in a fire that is blessed by a priest.

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Practices, Rituals, Symbols, and Festivals: Worship at Temple:Not a requirementHindus visit temples usually at festivals or

special functions .A priest leads the ceremonyImages of deities are treated as royalty, bathed,

adorned and taken on procession.Temples are also used to teach followers about

the religion

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Practices, Rituals, Symbols, and Festivals: Significance of the Cow.Hindu’s don’t eat beefThe cow is sacred to their culture and beliefsThe cow is a manifestation of all that is good

and preciousThe see it as calm and docile and attribute this

to its vegetarian nature.This is what aspires many Hindu's to be

vegetarian

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Practices, Rituals, Symbols, and Festivals: Yoga and meditation:Yoga: A practice or discipline combining

philosophy with physical exercises and meditation; a union with Brahman

Meditation: Deep contemplation that leads to a trance-like state in which the individual tries to become one with the Brahman.

Swamis: Expert mediators, the holy men of India who have dedicated their lives to meditation.

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Practices, Rituals, Symbols, and Festivals: Pilgrimages:Pilgrimages are journeys to holy places.One popular destination that most Hindu’s try

to visit at least once in life is the holy city of Varanasi

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Symbols and Icons:Symbols are concrete representations of

abstract religious thought.In Hinduism symbols are personal reminders of

the spirit of Brahman

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Symbols: Swastika

In Hinduism the swastika is a symbol of well being!!

Usually shown in read and used on wedding invitations, decorative drawings, textiles, in rituals of good luck and for protection from evil.

It is not the same as the Nazi Swastika!!

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Symbols: NatarajShows a four armed Shiva dancing and

playing a drum.Represents sound, speech, divine truth,

energy and the endless cycle of creation and destruction.

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Symbols: Forehead Marks:Some Hindu men and women choose to wear

forehead markings that represent the god they have chosen to worship

Many married women wear a red dot that signifies that she is married and should be respected as such.

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Shiva Markings

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Vaishniava

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Festivals:Diwali:

Festival of lightsEnd of Oct. beginning of Nov.Diwali is observed on one night, but festivities

last for five daysCelebrates triumph of knowledge over dark

powersNew clothes, decorate with lights, set off

fireworksCelebrates Lakshmi, for wealth, Vishnu for

defeating Naraka, and Rama’s return his kingdom.

Diwali Video

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Festivals: Holi (Festival of Colors)Spring festival, Usually on a full moon in marchLight bonfires that signify the burning of evil.Squirt colored water on friends and family

membersEat sweets.HoliHoli

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Festivals: Mahashivaratri:The day before the new moon in the month of

FebruaryWorship Shiva, and fastNot as exciting….

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Festivals: Navaratri (Nine nights)First three nights: worship DurgaSecond three nights: worship LakshmiFinal three nights : worship SaraswatiOn the tenth day Vijayadasami Day of victory

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Milestones:In Hinduism life is a series of steps from birth

to death“from conception to cremation”

Each step is called a samskaraThere are 40!!!!16 are central to the religionFew people practice them allHere are a few important ones

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Milestones: Naming a child.Traditionally preists named babies before they

were born!!!!Now families include priests in a sort of

informal naming ceremony It is seen as a blessing on the child

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Milestones: A child’s first outingTrip outside the home to expose the child to

the environment and the neighborsThe family has a bath, puts on new clothes, dab

soot on the babies head for protection from the evil eye, and take a walk.

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Milestones: First Solid FoodA prayer before the

feeding of boiled rice in a butter mix.

Thread initiation Ceremony: (upanayana)Marks the Childs

transition into the student phase of life.

Two day ceremony where a boy wears a thread over his left shoulder and chants a mantra

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Milestones: MarriageMarks bride and groom’s passage into

householder stage of lifeIn India arranged marriages are common

practice.When parents agree to a marriage for children

they organize a engagement party where father of groom will ask for woman's hand in marriage to his son.

Weddings last for three hoursPerformed by a priestAfter ceremony there is feasting and

partying!!!

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Milestones: Death and CremationSolemn ceremonyThey dress the dead in new but traditional clothing

leaving the face uncoveredOfferings of light and flowers are made to the spirit

of the deadThey chant to RamaPriest offers prayers to bless the fireThe oldest member lights the fire or pushes the

button of the crematorium Ashes are collected and spread in water. Preferably

a holy river in IndiaPrayer and feast follows.

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Milestones: Anniversary of deathPriest performs prayersFamily, friends, and other guests come together

for a feast.

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Sacred Writings:The Vedas: 1500BCE

Oldest booksInfo ranges from Gods to medicineThe Upanishads is the concluding, and most

important part of the Vedas, it contains the Hindu philosophy that governs their lives

The Ramayana and The MahabharataHindu stories (Epics) that give ideals for moral

conductThey have been produced for TV, and in comic book

formatTV.

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Groups and Institutions:There are three main groups of Hindus based

on the god they worship the mostShaivism: Worshipers of ShivaShakti: Worshipers of the female aspects of the

gods, saying the male aspect gets its strength from the female.

Vaishnavism: Followers of Vishnu

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Cultural Impact:Hinduism has spread all over the world.

Mostly due to Indians being shipped all over the world to work on plantations when the English held India as a colony

Hinduism has shown the benefit of Yoga, and meditation.You can take classes almost anywhere.

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Cultural Impact: Hinduism in CanadaThere are over 300 000 Hindu’s in CanadaMost live in the Greater Toronto AreaIt is a diverse religion on Canada as Hindu’s

have come here from many areas, each bringing their own beliefs.

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