1964 Americas Gandhi Rev Martin Luther King Jr

1964

America's Gandhi: Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

1930

Questions: n What n Why do we know about other religions? are religions important?

How is Hinduism different? n No single founder n No commonly agreed set of teachings n Practices vary - it means different things to different people n “Way of life” v. religion n More about what you DO than what you believe

Hinduism: Beginnings n Originated in India, near the Indus River Valley n Traditions began about 4000 years ago

Hinduism n The world’s oldest religions n Very connected with social, political, and cultural developments in India n Today, there are 900 million followers worldwide – population of U. S. - 300 million people – population of India - over 1 billion people; 80% of them identify as Hindu

Hindu Texts: the Vedas Most ancient religious text in Hinduism n For thousands of years, passed on orally n Written down 1200 BCE n In Sanskrit, veda means “knowledge” or “wisdom” n

Sanskrit n Ancient language of India n Language of Hinduism

Hindu Texts: The Upanishads n Composed between 800 - 200 BCE n Philosophical texts n Introduce concept of BRAHMAN: supreme power that informs reality

Brahman: Supreme Power n Brahman takes on many forms (similar to water), yet is not worshiped as a god n Sometimes represented as a human; sometimes as a deity (god or goddess)

Hindu Deities Vishnu Kali Shiva

Atman n Hindus also believe that there is a piece of God in all of us n Atman is a person’s eternal soul, the piece of Brahman that exists within them n Question: – If there is a piece of God in everyone, how should we treat people?

Ahimsa: “nonviolence” n Not injuring others in thought, words, or actions n Mohandas Gandhi

Other Hindu Texts n The Mahabharata – One of most popular Hindu texts – Longest poem in the world! n Ramayana – Tells story of Prince Rama who was sent into exile in the forest with his wife, Sita, and his brother, Lakshamana. – Story of good overcoming evil

Ramayana: Battle Scene

Question: n What motivates people to be good?

Dharma: “duty” “virtue” “morality” n Universal: “the power that upholds the universe and society” n Personal: each person has their own “right path”, known as sva-dharma

Karma n Literal meaning in Sanskrit: “action” n Law of cause and effect: good actions will have good responses; bad actions will have the opposite effect n “What goes around comes around”

Samsara: continuous life cycle; reincarnation n When people die, their soul is reborn in a new body; based on KARMA n The most important aspects of a person’s character stays with them from one life to the next.

Take 5 minutes to think and write about: n What are the most important aspects of your character? (or, what makes you unique? ) n Imagine what you might have been in a previous life, or what you might be reincarnated as in a future life.

Moksha n Moksha is liberation of a person’s soul (atman) from the cycle of rebirth (samsara) n The individual soul (atman) is reunited with the universal soul (Brahman)

Moksha - how do we get there? n Four ways to achieve moksha: – Path of knowledge – Path of meditation – Path of devotion – Path of good works (karma)

The Caste System Division of society based on occupation and family; it is hereditary n In Hinduism, there are four main castes: n – Brahmins - intellectuals and the priests – Kshatriya - nobles or warriors – Vaishyas - commoners or merchants; ordinary people who produce, farm, trade and earn a living – Shudras - workers, usually served the higher classes, including laborers, artists, musicians, and clerks

…and below all of these: n The “untouchables” n Caste system reinforced by religious beliefs - role of Karma n No “social mobility”; reborn into same caste, no inter-marriage n Gandhi

Quotes: n Interpret the four quotes into your own words. n Discuss with the people at your table which principles in Hinduism are being referred to in these quotes

Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals • Album Title: Fight for your Mind • Songs: “Oppression”, “One road to freedom”, “People lead”, “Fight for your home”

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Activity: Hinduism Album Cover / Magazine Cover n Choose a principle: moksha, karma, samsara, dharma, atman, ahimsa n Brainstorm related words/ideas n Think of: Band name, album name, song titles; OR magazine title, headlines n Draw a cover

Example: Karma Kids Principle: Karma n Band name: The Karma Kids n Album: “What goes around comes around” n Hit song: “Getting good by giving good” n