HINDUISMHINDUISM

Hinduism RootsHinduism Roots• No precise date No precise date

of originof origin• Evolved over Evolved over

centuriescenturies• Mix of beliefs of Mix of beliefs of

original Indus original Indus Valley peoples + Valley peoples + other native other native ethnic groups + ethnic groups + Aryan invadersAryan invaders

Vedas: Hindu ScriptureVedas: Hindu Scripture

• 4 Core Scriptures4 Core Scriptures• Vedas = KnowledgeVedas = Knowledge• UPANISHADS UPANISHADS

(essays/poems focusing (essays/poems focusing on Hindu spirituality)on Hindu spirituality)

• PURANAS (tales about PURANAS (tales about gods & heroes)gods & heroes)

• SUTRAS (moral SUTRAS (moral teachings)teachings)

• Laws of Manu (support of Laws of Manu (support of caste systemcaste system))

Hindu DoctrineHindu Doctrine

•BRAHMAN is BRAHMAN is WORLD SOUL WORLD SOUL at CENTER of at CENTER of all TIME & all TIME & SPACESPACE

Hindu DoctrineHindu Doctrine• ALL THINGS are ALL THINGS are

REFLECTION of REFLECTION of BRAHMAN’S BRAHMAN’S PERFECTIONPERFECTION

• ALL LIVING ALL LIVING THINGS HAVE THINGS HAVE INDIVIDUAL INDIVIDUAL SOULS - SOULS - ATMANATMAN

Hindu DoctrineHindu Doctrine• MATERIAL WORLD is MATERIAL WORLD is

ILLUSIONILLUSION• KEEPS INDIVIDUAL KEEPS INDIVIDUAL

SOUL AWAY FROM SOUL AWAY FROM WORLD SOULWORLD SOUL

• GOAL IS TO REJOIN GOAL IS TO REJOIN SOUL TO WORLD SOUL TO WORLD SOUL’S PERFECTIONSOUL’S PERFECTION

• UNION with BRAHMAN UNION with BRAHMAN through CYCLE of through CYCLE of birth-death-rebirth: birth-death-rebirth: WHEEL OF LIFEWHEEL OF LIFE

Hindu DoctrineHindu Doctrine• KARMA – law of KARMA – law of

deedsdeeds• Good or evil deeds Good or evil deeds

have consequences have consequences in future lifein future life

• So spiritual evolution So spiritual evolution depends on deedsdepends on deeds

• Evil actions & Evil actions & spiritual laziness -> spiritual laziness -> more karmic debt for more karmic debt for soulsoul

• Keeps soul trapped Keeps soul trapped in samsara (wheel of in samsara (wheel of life cycle)life cycle)

Hindu Caste SystemHindu Caste System• SOCIAL & POLITICAL SOCIAL & POLITICAL

INSTITUTIONINSTITUTION• 5 Levels:5 Levels:

1) Priests1) Priests2) Rulers/ Warriors2) Rulers/ Warriors3) Skilled Merchants3) Skilled Merchants4) Service Workers4) Service Workers5) Untouchables5) Untouchables

• From ARYAN From ARYAN INVASION – social INVASION – social stratification (darker stratification (darker skinned -> lower skinned -> lower jobsjobs

Role of WomenRole of Women• Women are INFERIOR to MenWomen are INFERIOR to Men

• RESPECT RESPECT

• Important to FAMILYImportant to FAMILY

Holy CowHoly Cow• Today, in heavily Hindu nations like India Today, in heavily Hindu nations like India

and Nepal, milk continues to hold a central and Nepal, milk continues to hold a central place in religious rituals. And in honor of place in religious rituals. And in honor of their exalted status, cows often roam free. their exalted status, cows often roam free. Indeed, in some places, it is considered Indeed, in some places, it is considered good luck to give one a snack, a bit of good luck to give one a snack, a bit of bread, or fruit before breakfast. On the bread, or fruit before breakfast. On the other hand, a citizen can be sent to jail for other hand, a citizen can be sent to jail for killing or injuring a cow. killing or injuring a cow.