Hinduism

1. Hinduism • Generally considered to be the oldest major world religion still actively practiced today. • Originated from the ancient Vedic culture in as far a 2000 BCE • 1 Billion followers today – most live in India • Very tolerant religionThere are many truths! • Central texts are contained in the Vedas

2. Brahman Atman • Among most basic tenets of Hinduism, belief in Brahman, eternal being that created, preserves world • Brahman all-encompassing • Many believe human mind incapable of understanding • Hindus believe each person has atman, soul, aspect of Brahman • Atman shapes personality, cannot be destroyed, even by death Basic Teachings of Hinduism Fundamental teachings shared by nearly all Hindus.

3. Three Main Devas • Brahma • Shiva • Vishnu • Some believe in thousands; others worship only one - Brahman. Devas Manifestations of Brahman, active in world, helping maintain order in nature

4. Rebirth and Salvation • Pattern of Life • Hindus believe universe, everyone in it, part of continual pattern of birth, death, and rebirth • After death atman reborn in process called reincarnation, or samsara • New Life • Nature of person’s new life shaped by karma—sum effect of deeds, actions • Good karma, reincarnated to better station in life; bad karma, lower station in life • Ultimate goal of human existence, moksha, escape from cycle of rebirth • Dharma • With moksha, atman leaves world, reunites fully with Brahman • To achieve moksha is to fulfill one’s dharma—spiritual duties, obligations • By fulfilling dharma, one creates good karma, breaks free from rebirth cycle Read pages 106-107 -> Questions?

5. Worship • Hindu beliefs vary widely, religious practices vary as well; worship can take place anywhere • At temples, priests might recite, read portions of the Vedas; image of a deva sometimes carried out of temple to people • At home, food, drink, gifts offered for deva; meditation, silent reflection Hindu Religious Practices

6. Meditation, Pilgrimages • To help meditate, Hindus practice series of integrated physical, mental exercises called yoga • Yoga teaches people how to focus bodies, minds to aid meditation, help attain moksha • Hindus also make pilgrimages to Ganges River to purify, remove bad karma Hindu Religious Practices

7. The Vedas • Name means “knowledge” in Sanskrit • Hindus consider Vedas to contain eternal knowledge not written by humans, revealed to them by Brahman • Parts of Vedas date back more than 3,000 years • Considered core of Hinduism even today Sacred Texts and Practices Much of Hinduism’s evolution stemmed from a number of sacred writings produced over centuries. • Upanishads • Sacred texts that built upon the Vedas • Upanishadsphilosophical reflections on the Vedas, dealing with nature of world, meaning of life

8. Mahabharata and Ramayana • Two epic poems • Each tells story, reflects on living according to Vedic teachings • Included in Mahabharata, most sacred of all Hindu texts, the BhagavadGita, addressing many aspects of Hindu belief, philosophy

9. VEDAS and the Creation Hymn - To Do Make a list of paradoxes within the Rig Veda text. Make a list of unanswered question within the Rig Vega text. Make a list of 10 things that are different about this story of creation compared with the story in Genesis.

10. BhagavadGita“Song of the Lord” • The BhagavadGitais the most important text to Hindus. • Part of Mahabhrata • Critical Ideas • Suppression of the Ego is paramount. Eliminate focus on our singular self. • Decrease reliance on the senses to reduce extremes of sorrow and joy • Action is more important than ritual. • Importance of reincarnation and the shallowness of concern for physical bodies. • Truth is found in Atman, the universal oversoul that binds us all. It is incorrect to conceive of the soul in Hindu religion as a singular element of one individual. It is part of a connected whole, and the individual’s soul aspires to be reunited

11. Ramayana (Journey of Rama) Second of 2 epic poems. The Ramayana is one of the central Hindu myths, written close to 250 BCE. Author - Valmiki • Centers around the efforts of a prince named Rama to reclaim his wife, who had been kidnapped by the demon Ravanna. • Rama is the ideal hero of Hindu culture, although in books 1 and 7 he becomes Vishnu.

12. Rama Ravana Rama and Ravana • A Brahmin on earth, Ravanna becomes a demon possessed of enormous power when he is granted power by the gods, making him immune to damage from divine agents, demons, and animals. • Arrogantly, he did not ask for protection from humans. • He is defeated by Vishnu’s human incarnation (Rama). • His death helps restore dharma, or order, on the earthly realm. • The story is about his redemption. In, death he is released by Rama—and the lusts, cruelty, desire, and ego that have consumed him fade away. • An avatar of Lord Vishnu (The Preserver) • An avatar is the bodily incarnation of an immortal being. The term in Sanskrit implies a descent into mortal realms. • Two of the most important avatars in the Hindu tradition are Rama and Krishna. • The purpose of the incarnation is to demonstrate correct living on Earth. • Rama is the embodiment of the dharma, always fulfilling his duties and acting in accordance with Hindu principles.

13. Sections of the Story • Pg.132-134. Beginning to the Golden “T” • Pg. 134-135. Start at the Golden “T” and stop at the Golden “R” • Pg. 135-136. Start at the Golden “R” and stop at the Golden “R” • Pg. 136 – 138. Start at the Golden “R” and stop at the Golden “W” • Pg. 138. Section “W” Only. • Pg. 138- 139 Start at the Golden “R and stop at the Golden “N” • Pg. 139. Start at the Golden “N” and go to the end.

14. The Story of Rama and Ravannaat Battle