The Evolution of Hinduism The roots of Hinduism

The Evolution of Hinduism The roots of Hinduism are diverse, and yet have given life to two other religions:

Percentage of Hindus in World Today

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

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

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

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

1500 BCE – 600 BCE Aryan Migration in the Indus Valley

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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)

What am I supposed to do here? dharma 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! But what IS the “right thing? ! Just follow your dharma and obey the Vedas

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

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

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

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 wha is “good” vs “bad”. It is abo what is “right” vs “wrong” according to your position society and the Vedic

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

-oldest Hindu texts -four volumes of spells and incantations, stories, charms, and hymns -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 -the conversation between Arjuna and Krishna

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

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.

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

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

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

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

Yoga • Concentration: as yogini enters deeper awareness, mind becomes increasingly focused and concentrated • Meditation: uninterrupted flow of awareness • Absorption/Union: 1. awareness of self and surroundings has vanished 2. then attain perfect consciousness—there is nothing left to reflect in the mind. The mind has been released!

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. The Jainist Root of Hinduism 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 Mahavira

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

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

The Jainist Root of Hinduism 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 Sacred cow in Calcutta (photo taken during WWII)

"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

Jainist Nonviolence

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?

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