7 dimensions of Hinduism Karma and Samsara Transmigration

7 dimensions of Hinduism Karma and Samsara Transmigration Moksha

Aryan-Greek/Roman Polytheism l Aryan l Henotheistic ¡ One of many Gods is raised to highest rank l Mother goddess and fertility ideas l Law of Karma-reincarnation l Brahman-unitary principle of the universe ¡ Atman-inner life or soul l Brahmin-Vishnu-Shiva: Trinity have consorts l Greek-Roman l Polytheism of many gods/goddesses l One life l Appeasement of Gods/goddesses

Principles in the world l Karma-action or deeds l Dharma- ethical rules of right conduct l Samsara-wheel of rebirth l Moksha-liberation from this rebirth

Society l Caste system ¡ Brahmin, kshatriya, vaishya, shudra ¡ Priest, warriors and admin. , producers, laborers and servants l 4 stages of life ¡ Student, householder, forest dweller, sannyasin l 4 goals of life ¡ Kama, sensual pleasure; artha, material success; ¡ Dharma, right conduct; moksha, liberation l 3 paths to liberation ¡ Karma marga-works, right conduct ¡ Jnana Marga-knowledge, Vedanta, Sankhya, Yoga ¡ Bhakti Marga-devotion, rituals, pilgrimages, sacred cows

3 paths of liberation l Karma Marga ¡ Right conduct according to Dharma l Jnana Marga ¡ Vedanta, maya-cosmic illusion, monism ¡ Sankhya, matter and many selfs-free from bondage of personality ¡ Yoga, physical and psychological way, 8 steps, get to samadhi-transcendent state l Bhakti Marga ¡ Gods and goddesses, pilgrimages, cow veneration

Periods of Hindu Historical development l Indus Valley Civilization 3 -2 BCE ¡ Aryan invasions, incorporated into India l A Vedic Age 2 -1 BCE ¡ Vedas intuited by Brahmin, Sanskrit, oral tradition l Agni-fire, life maintaining l Soma-plant, life transcending ¡ Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda, and Arthaveda l Rigveda, hymnal to all the deities l Yajurveda; manual of sacrifices and mantras l Samaveda; index to melodies of SOMA sacrifices l Athaveda; domestic rituals and religious concerns of popular culture

Epic Age l Verse Dramas-smriti, traditions ¡ Mahabharata ¡ Ramayana l Dharma Sutras, instructions on proper conduct l Dharma Shastras, laws of conduct l Code of Manu-series of laws ¡ Beginning of Classical Hinduism: codification of beliefs ¡ 3 debts: Gods, Ancestors, and …… l l Puranas-collections of old stories Dharma, samsara, karma, and moksha Shakti-feminine cosmic energy Bhakta-yogin ways, ritual ways of 5 Ms

Upanishads l Gave all Hindus ability to perform household rituals ¡World of rituals ¡Atman-Brahman understanding emerges l Samsara-distinction of separation is illusion, continue to transmigration until TRUTH understood-Moksha, release follows. l Bhagavad Gita; first of these texts

Purusha l Cosmic Body of Purusha ¡ God’s self sacrifice brings world into being. l Life body of social body ¡ Humanity reflects this in our life l Cosmic Body ¡ All are one, and will be reunited as one l Monism-all is ultimately one

Gods and Goddesses l Shiva-god of dance l Vishnu-great deity ¡Avatars-decents of Vishnu l. Krishna, Rama, Narasimha l Devi-goddess ¡Durga, Kali, Parvati