Hindu Life and Morality Are Directed Toward Final Absorption Into Brahman

World Religions

HINDUISM

·  Hinduism is open to all forms of belief and all ways of worshipping. It is basically a meditative faith.

·  Hindus accept all forms of gods believing that each is an expression of the World Spirit or Brahman.

·  Hindu life and morality are directed toward final absorption into Brahman.

·  There is no such thing as a Sabbath or "Sunday worship."

·  Worship in this religion is considered to be very individualistic.

NO FOUNDER--Hinduism is thousands of years old, evolved over time from Aryan and Indian beliefs.

HINDU--a person who practices the religion of Hinduism.

TEMPLE--a Hindu place of worship. BRAHMIN--a Hindu priest.

MONOTHEISTIC OR POLYTHEISTIC?--Hindus believe in many different gods which are viewed as the reincarnation or representation of one god called the BRAHMAN or SUPREME BEING

Some main Hindu gods are: Brahma--the Creator

Vishnu--the Preserver

Shiva--the Destroyer

• Hindus think of god in the way that is best for the individual--many Hindus think of themselves as monotheists because there is only one supreme being: BRAHMAN.

HOLY SCRIPTURES -- Began through an oral tradition (written down after 800 BCE)

VEDAS – most ancient and sacred texts, including prayers and rituals

UPANISHADS – philosophical commentaries on the gods (the nature of Brahman)

BHAGAVAD GITA--stories about Lord Krishna and Arjuna

RAMAYANA—part of the Mahabharata; stories about Ram (human reincarnation of Vishnu)

REINCARNATION -- Hindus believe that the soul is born over and over again until it is purified. Following the holy scriptures will help lead the soul to MOKSHA (union with god). Hindus must perform the right DHARMA (a "code of conduct") in order to achieve good KARMA (all of the bad and good acts of one's previous lives).

In ancient India--Hindus believe that a person's place within the caste system reflects whether he/she performed the right dharma and achieved good karma in a past life. Hindus who are in the lower levels of the caste system are there because they have not followed the Vedas and have bad karma.

RITUALS/SACRAMENTS--Samskaras

• baby rituals – before and after babies are born

• marriage (sometimes arranged by the parents) – multi-part and multi-day ceremonies

• death rite—usually cremation, and sprinkling of ashes in a holy river (ex: Ganges)

SACRED COWS—Cows are sacred to Hindus because of what they represent. Killing a cow is banned in most of India and Hindus do not eat beef. Many Hindus are vegetarian.

COW --the symbol of divine motherhood.

--the symbol of life.

--the symbol of the entire animal world.

HINDU HOLIDAYS

·  Hindus don’t have celebrations of religious events similar to Jews and Christians since there are no prophets nor is there a founder whose life is celebrated.

·  Hindus are much more independent in their worship and spiritual prayer than the other monotheistic religions. Hinduism is often meditative and individual.

DIWALI (di-val-ee)--This is a festival of lights or happiness--the Hindu New Year. It is a celebration that lasts about four days long. Usually one of the four evenings is highlighted with a special meal to be celebrated among family and friends. Very religious Hindus may go to their temple and pray during each night. This is also a time of gift giving where presents are exchanged for each night of the celebration.

DASHAHARA--This is a celebration for the end of the monsoon season. It celebrates the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. They burn effigy of Ravana (an evil god).

HOLI—This is a celebration of the harvest and fertility. It celebrates the beginnings of the spring harvest, and emphasizes lots of color.

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CLASS STRUCTURE: The caste system or fixed social groupings of ancient India:

1. Priests--Brahmin

2. Warrior/nobles—Kshatriya (Kshatrija)

3. Farmers & Merchants (Common People) —Vaisya (Vaishya)

4. Labor Class—Sudra (Shudra)

Outcastes (untouchables)