The Evolution of Hinduism

1. The Evolutionof Hinduism The roots of Hinduism are diverse, and yet have given life to two other religions: Jainism and Buddhism.

2. Percentage of Hindus in World Today

3. Indus Valley Roots of Hinduism: Traditional Flower Offering at a lingam, Varanasi 1. altars for sacrifice and ceremonies

4. Indus Valley Roots of Hinduism Great Bath, Mohenjodaro Bathing in the Ganges (modern Hinduism) 2. ritual bathing -center of city was open-air “pool temple” run by priests

5. Indus Valley Roots of Hinduism: Lord of Creatures?? Supreme Yogi?? Shiva?? 3. goddess worship

6. Indus Valley Roots of Hinduism: Reconstruction of Mohenjo-Daro 4. concern for social order: -where lived based on occupation

7. 1500 BCE – 600 BCE Aryan Migration in the Indus Valley

8. Aryan Roots of Hinduism: Jaisalmer: Desert Temple in the heart of Thar Desert 1. cattle worship -herdsmen :. valued cattle -socio-economic status based on cattle -sacrifices to gods (cattle, horses, goats, sheep, grain)

9. Aryan Roots of Hinduism: Brahma, Siva, Vishnu (Hoysaleswara Temple, Halebid) 2. Vedic gods (devas) -worshiped through rituals and sacrifices

10. Aryan Roots of Hinduism: The Vedas 3. The Vedas (“knowledge”) -instructions on how to support, enliven, and nourish the Vedic gods

11. Aryan Roots of Hinduism: “Om” The sound of the universe 4. Mantras -sacred utterances of utmost importance to ritual

12. Aryan Roots of Hinduism: Sanskrit alphabet 5. Sanskrit -ancient language of India “Aryan” -> “Erin” -> “Iran” “naus” -> “nautical” -> “navigation” “deva” -> “divine”

13. Aryan Roots of Hinduism: 6. There is a cosmic order to the universe. (rita) -maintained through ritual

14. Where did I come from? Aryan Roots of Hinduism: Brahma “God” 7. “creator god” (Brahma) -spiritual core of: temple town country universe all devas

15. If Brahma is not a “god”, what exactly is Brahma?! Aryan Roots of Hinduism: What is the nature of the universe? Brahma = Atman 8. Atman (the transcendental essence of human life)– “the soul”

16. What is the nature of “god” and my existence? moksha the release from the human condition that prevents the union between Brahma and Atman maya the illusionary condition of everyday existence samsara the cycle of birth and death that makes up our physical existence (Hindu idea of reincarnation as it is written in the Upanishads)

17. What am I supposed to do here? dharma But what IS the “right thing?! one's righteous duty or virtuous path To answer the question: Live a life that promises worldly joys and heavenly happiness. a.k.a… Do the right thing! Just follow your dharma and obey the Vedas

18. How do I know what my dharma is? Aryan Roots of Hinduism: Lakshmi: (caste goddess) Goddess of wealth and success 9. Caste – socio-economic class system -adhere to the social expectations, and cultural and religious obligations of your role in society

19. How and why should I obey the Vedas?! Aryan Roots of Hinduism: Brahmin priests (today) practicing ancient Vedic rituals 9.Brahmins – priests -the gatekeepers to Vedic rituals -knew mantras and ceremonies -were the spiritual philosophers and guides

20. Aryan Roots of Hinduism: 10. Upanishads -priests started to ponder the purpose and meaning of the Vedas -through spiritual philosophy, they introduced new concepts

21. Vedic priests explained the reason for following one’s obligations to his or her dharma and the sacred texts as “karma”. karma Oh wait, I get it! It’s like good vs. evil! the ongoing influence of past actions on the future NO! Karma is not about what is “good” vs “bad”. It is about what is “right” vs “wrong” according to your position in society and the Vedic teachings.

22. What is karma?! Good Karma: Swedish Fish Bad Karma: Sour Patch Kids

23. Sacred Texts Vedas BhagavadGita Ramayana Mahabharata -one of the two great Sanskrit epics -depicts discussion about human goals, karma, and moksha -one of the two great Sanskrit epics -depicts the duties of relationships -oldest Hindu texts -four volumes of spells and incantations, stories, charms, and hymns -the conversation between Arjuna and Krishna

24. Bhagavad Gita Vishnu -maintainer or preserver Krishna -a god-child -a prankster -a divine hero Arjuna -Hindu hero -great warrior -friend and brother-in-law to Krishna

25. Wait… why should I bother following my dharma and the sacred texts?! According to the Vedic priests, it is the only way to break the cycle of samara (reincarnation). It is the only way to have one’s atman reunite with Brahma.

27. Can there be any other way to attain moksha? Actually, we believe there is! The Ascetic Roots of Hinduism Wandering Hindu ascetic. 1. Shramanas – “spiritual rebels” during the time the Upanishads were being written -ascetics: practicedcelibacy, poverty,fasting, exposingthe body to hardships in an attempt to achieve moksha Modern day sadhu, ascetics that practice yoga

28. Ommmmmmm… shramanas “seekers” or “strivers” who seek the inner Atman through meditation rather than ritual sacrifices jnana • knowledge • Shramanas felt that jnana was more important than karma • (knowledge more important than action) • “cultivate detachment from the material world through ascetic practices” Usually sadhus live by themselves, on the fringes of society, and spend their days in devotion to their chosen deity.

29. The Ascetic Roots of Hinduism Yoga poses 2. Yoga • “union” goal of yoga: • To become one with one’s Atman

30. Yoga • Restraint: nonviolence, speaking truth, no stealing, celibacy, lack of greed • Discipline: cleanliness, serenity, devotion to god • Posture: controlled, comfortable firm yoga poses • Breath Control: mind can be controlled by breath • Withdrawal of the Five Senses: as yogini enters into deeper awareness, witness loss of five senses as mind retreats into the body

31. Yoga • Concentration: as yogini enters deeper awareness, mind becomes increasingly focused and concentrated • Meditation: uninterrupted flow of awareness • Absorption/Union: • awareness of self and surroundings has vanished • then attain perfect consciousness—there is nothing left to reflect in the mind. The mind has been released!

32. The Jainist Root of Hinduism One ascetic is said to have achieved true knowledge of the universe through ascetic practice. His teachings became the foundation of a new religion, Jainism. Mahavira 1. Mahavira – teacher and religious leader -lived at the same time as the Buddha -was an Indian king who renounced his throne and all worldly possessions (including his clothes) to become an ascetic -said he achieved complete freedom from worldly desires after 12 years of strict austere practice -rejected the Vedas as an infallible authority in developing one’s own view of reality

33. The Jainist Root of Hinduism Jain monk wearing mask. Jain nun displaying broom. 2. Ascetism • Acts of self-discipline, self-deprivation, and self-denial as a means of purifying the self

34. The Jainist Root of Hinduism The hand with a wheel on the palm symbolizes the Jain Vow of Ahimsa 3. ahimsa • the moral principle of respect for life - “non-injury”; “nonviolence” • nonviolence • vegetarianism

35. The Jainist Root of Hinduism Sacred cow in Calcutta (photo taken during WWII) 4. “sacred cow” • Spiritual lore has it that because Jains refused to eat meat and spread vegetarianism, cows were permitted to wander free without fear of slaughter or sacrifice

36. "Friendship to all living forms, delight in the qualities of the virtuous ones, unlimited compassion for all suffering beings, equanimity toward all who wish me harm, may my soul have these dispositions now and forever." -- Jain prayer

37. Jainist Nonviolence

38. Synthesis and Review 1. What is meant by the term “democracy in religion”? 2. Why is Hinduism not really a polytheistic religion? 3. What is the ultimate spiritual goal that unites all Hindus?

41. period of death period of death period of life (collection of karma) period of life (collection of karma) period of birth period of birth