Download Understanding Hinduism: Beliefs, Gods, Practices, and History and more Study notes Religion in PDF only on Docsity! What is Hinduism? One of the oldest religions of humanity The religion of the Indian people Gave birth to Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism Tolerance and diversity: "Truth is one, paths are many" Many deities but a single, impersonal Ultimate Reality A philosophy and a way of life – focused both on this world and beyond Religion vs dharma Abrahamic religions - Religious progress related to following set of rules defined by scriptures - God may be worshipped only in a few specific ways - There is no mortal life after death, but assessment on Judgment Day - Humans “higher” than animals, so treat differently - Idea of religion being the only religion leading to salvation Hindu Dharma - Many different paths to spiritual progress in an experiential process - God may be worshipped in many forms and ways - Eternal bliss achieved through good karma (actions) and renunciation - All creatures are infused with the same paramatma, and so should be respected - Dharma as one way of life imbibed in society Festivals and Their Significance Diwali – new year, celebrating Ram being anointed King in The Ramayana Navratri – lit. “nine nights”, worship of the female aspect of God Mahashivratri – festival in honour of Shiva, marriage of Shiva to Parvati on this day Ramnavmi – marriage of Ram to Sita on this day Janmasthami – celebration of the birth of Krishna Raksha Bandhan – symbolic promise given by men to protect their sisters Holi – annual spring festival of color, represents triumph of good over evil What do Hindus believe? One impersonal Ultimate Reality – Brahman Manifest as many personal deities True essence of life – Atman, the soul, is Brahman trapped in matter (“That art thou”) Reincarnation – atman is continually born into this world lifetime after lifetime (Samsara) Karma – spiritual impurity due to actions keeps us bound to this world (good and bad) Ultimate goal of life – to release Atman and reunite with the divine, becoming as one with Brahman (Moksha) How does Hinduism direct life in this world? Respect for all life – vegetarian Human life as supreme: Four “stations” of life (Caste) - priests & teachers, nobles & warriors, merchant class, servant class Four stages of life – student, householder, retired, renunciant Four duties of life – pleasure, success, social responsibilities, religious responsibilities (moksha) Who do Hindus worship? – the major gods of the Hindu Pantheon Brahma, the creator god Who do Hindus worship? – the major gods of the Hindu Pantheon Vishnu, the preserver god Incarnates as ten avatars (descents) including: Rama (featured in the Ramayana) Krishna (featured in the Mahabharata) (Each shown with his consort, Sita and Radha, respectively) Who do Hindus worship? – the major gods of the Hindu Pantheon Shiva, god of constructive destruction (the transformer) Appears as Shiva Nataraj, lord of the dance of creation… and with his wife, Parvati, and son Ganesha (the elephant headed remover of obstacles) What about the goddesses? Devi – the feminine divine Parvati, divine mother, wife of Shiva What about the goddesses? Devi – the feminine divine Durga, protectress Kali, destroyer of demons Plus about 330 million other deities All these deities are but Manifest forms (attributes and functions) of the impersonal Brahman
