Hinduism Re-Cap Sanatana Dharma Vedas/Upanishads Epic poems- Ramayana, Mahabarata-Bhagavad-Gita Major theistic groups Four types of yoga-raja, jnana, bhakti, karma The caste system Role of the guru Unique characteristics of “Hindu” or “Hinduism” Brahman, samsara, moksha, maya Mudra, mantra, chakras, asanas

Jain Overview Doesn’t use the Vedas for religious foundation Only about 6 million practitioners; a minority in

India The modern symbol incorporates the swastika

and other representations of important principles Mahavira was the most important teacher of

“modern” Contemporary of Buddha

History of Jainism Pre-Vedic

Another “indigenous” Indian religion Ancient Hindu Buddhist sources mention Jainism

as being much older than either one Why would this be considered controversial

from the Hindu viewpoint?

The 24th Tirthankaras Mahavira

Contemporary of the Buddha (d. 527 BCE) Also a prince- kshatriya clan Renounced his comfortable life. Meditated for 12 years (silence, fasting…) Wandering teacher for 30 years The last of 24 Tirthankaras (“Ford makers”)

What is described by this last metaphor?

Tirthankaras

First one lost in history Lord Rishabha 23rd lived @800 BCE elevated beyond the human plane of existence models for good and ethically and morally correct behavior honored through images Originally, folks are happy and virtuous at beginning of a

cycle Tirthankaras “invent” religion to keep people away from

evils of the world

Two Branches of Monks Two groups within Jains

Digambaras Left the area of Mahavira; did not believe in the changes to

his teachings Monks known as the “sky clad”; they cruise around naked Women can’t go as high or as low as men They can only get liberation (freedom from samsara) by

being re-born in a man’s body Only possessions are a feather broom and a gourd of water;

major ascetics!

Digambaras Jains

Two Branches of Monks Svetambaras

Stayed in the area Accepted the changes to Mahavira’s teachings in

the 3rd century BCE Women can achieve the same kind of spiritual

level as men Wear a white cloth (“white-clad”) instead of being

nekked!

Svetambaras Jains

More Jain Images

Major Jain Principles Ahimsa

The principle of non-violence; do not harm other living things

Humans have no special right to supremacy over other living creatures

Some ascetics wear masks to avoid inhaling insects =strictly vegetarian diet! Avoidance of occupations that would harm things

(e.g. agriculture is considered harmful)

More Jain Principles Aparigraha

The idea of non-attachment to things and to people Possessions possess US Keeping personal goods to a minimum Dog story moral- as long as we cling to things, we

will bleed for them Attachments to friends and family can also be

interpreted as binding one to the wheel of life and death (samsara)

More Jain Principles Anekantwad

The idea of “relativity” especially in moral judgments

Any issue can be seen from multiple sides; all sides have a degree of truth to them

No point in finding fault with others when we should be concentrating on freeing ourselves from impurity

Comparisons to Other Faiths Jiva- an individual’s higher consciousness

What are parallel terms in other traditions for this principle?

Jina- an individual who has triumphed over his/her passions Similar term from another faith?

Modern Jain Symbol Swastika= wheel of

life/death/rebirth Ahimsa=represented by

or scribed on open palm Three dots=insight,

knowledge, conduct Crescent and dot=the

liberated soul reaching the highest point of development

Sikhism

What Is a Sikh? 'Sikh' in the Punjabi language means

'disciple', Sikhs are the disciples of God who follow the writings and teachings of the Ten Sikh Gurus.

Historical Area of Sikhism

Philosophy and Beliefs 1 There is only One God. He is the same God

for all people of all religions. The soul goes through cycles of births and

deaths before it reaches the human form. Sikhs should remember God at all times and

practice living a virtuous and truthful life while maintaining a balance between their spiritual obligations and temporal obligations.

Philosophy and Beliefs 2 The true path to achieving salvation and merging

with God does not require renunciation of the world or celibacy, but living the life of a householder, earning a honest living and avoiding worldly temptations and sins.

Sikhism preaches that people of different races, religions, or sex are all equal in the eyes of God. It teaches the full equality of men and women. Women can participate in any religious function or perform any Sikh ceremony or lead the congregation in prayer.

Philosophy and Beliefs 3 God cannot take human form The goal of human life is to break the cycle of birth's and deaths by

following a guru’s teaching Rejects all forms of blind rituals such as fasting, religious

vegetarianism, pilgrimages, superstitions, yoga, as well as any form of idol worship What is a blind ritual?

Honest labor and work (Kirat Karna) are the approved way of living one’s life. It is considered honorable to earn ones daily bread through honest work and not by begging or dishonest means How does this sound for most people?

The Five Cardinal Vices There are five vices to avoid

Kam (lust) Krodh (anger) Lobh (greed) Moh (worldly attachment) Ahankar (pride).

If one can overcome these, they will achieve salvation Are these vices similar to those portrayed in other

religions?

Guru Nanak The founder of the Sikh religion

born in 1469. He preached a message of love and

understanding and criticized the blind rituals of the Hindus and Muslims.

Nine successive Gurus. The final living Guru died in 1708

Guru Gobind Singh

Guru Gobind Singh Guru Gobind Singh declared that the

Sikhs no longer needed a living guru Sri Guru Granth Sahib-spiritual

successor, his knowledge embodied into spiritual writings

Khalsa- physical successors; the “pure ones”

Established the “five Ks” of Sikh accessories (see later slides)

Sri Guru Granth Sahib Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Unique in the world of religious scriptures It is the spiritual head of the Sikh religion Contains the poetry of the Gurus and

also the writings of saints of other faiths whose thoughts were consistent with those of the Sikh Gurus

What are the ramifications of a sacred text as a spiritual head?

Khalsa Soldier-saints.

commitment dedication social consciousness

The Khalsa are men and women who have undergone the Sikh baptism ceremony and who strictly follow the Sikh Code of Conduct and Conventions and wear the prescribed physical articles of the faith.

Harmandir Sahib Harmandir Sahib

(The Golden Temple) at Amritsar In the state of Punjab in northern India.

It is the inspirational and historical center of Sikhism Not a mandatory place of pilgrimage or worship.

All places where Sri Guru Granth Sahib are installed are considered equally holy for Sikhs.

The Golden Temple

Harmandir Sahib

Gurdwaras (Sikh Temple) remove the shoes cover ones bare head

signs of respect towards the sovereignty of the Guru Granth Sahib.

Hands are washed In some Gurdwaras there are also foot

washes.

Gurdwaras Approaching the Guru Granth Sahib one is

expected to bow down and touch the floor as a sign of further respect towards the Eternal Sikh Guru.

Offerings of cash are usually made at this time These offerings are voluntary

Gurdwaras All people irrespective of their status sit on

the floor as a sign of equality One may enter or leave the congregation at

any time. Men and women do not generally sit

together but on separate sides of the room Both groups are at an equal distance from the

Guru Granth Sahib.

Gurdwaras Gurdwaras are open to all people of all

religions and are generally open 24 hours a day. Some Gurdwaras also provide temporary

accommodations for visitors or pilgrims. Only vegetarian food is served so that no

person may be offended and all people of all religions can sit together to share a common meal irrespective of any dietary restrictions.

Spiritual Evolution Stage 1: Manmukh

A person who is self-centered and only thinks about himself and the material world around him and is totally oblivious to God.

Stage 2: Sikh Anyone who sets out on the path of learning and

meets the specific definition of a Sikh as appears in the Reht Maryada (Official Code of Conduct).

Spiritual Evolution Stage 3: Khalsa

Total dedication to Sikhism. One who has has shed his ego and personality and truly honors the memory of Guru Gobind Singh through his actions and deeds.

Stage 4: Gurmukh One who has achieved mukhti (salvation)

and is totally God-centered

The Sikh Articles of Faith The “Five Ks”

What does the external adornment of Sikhs do for them?

Would any of those accoutrements be problematic in the United States? Which one(s) and why?

Kesh

Long unshorn hair. A symbol of spirituality. The Kesh reminds a Khalsa to behave like the Guru's. It is a mark of dedication and group consciousness, showing a Khalsa's acceptance of God's will. Long hair have long been a common element of many spiritual prophets of various religions such as Jesus, Moses and Buddha.

Kangha Comb. A symbol of hygiene and

discipline as opposed to the matted unkempt hair of ascetics. A Khalsa is expected to regularly wash and comb their hair as a matter of self discipline.

Kara

Steel bracelet. A symbol to remind the wearer of restraint in their actions and remembrance of God at all times.

Kachha Drawers/short pants

A symbol signifying self control and chastity.

Kirpan Ceremonial sword/knife

A symbol of dignity and the Sikh struggle against injustice.

Worn purely as a religious symbol and not as a weapon.

Religious Emblems- Khanda As the Cross is to Christians or the Star of David is

to Jews. The symbol derives its name from the double-edged

sword called a Khanda This double-edged sword is a metaphor of Divine

Knowledge, its sharp edges cleaving Truth from Falsehood.

The circle around the Khanda is the Chakar. The Chakar being a circle without a beginning or an

end symbolizes the perfection of God who is eternal. The Chakar is surrounded by two curved swords called

Kirpans.

More Emblems- Nishan Sahib Nishan Sahib is the name given to the

flag which is seen flying outside every Sikh Gurdwara (Temple).

It is a triangular piece of ochre or saffron colored cloth with the Khanda emblem in the middle.

The flag post also has a khanda or spear on top and is usually covered with the same cloth as the flag.

The Khalistan Movement Radical group in India working for independent Sikh state

in Punjab region Punjab had been independent previously

Indian reprisals eventually killed Sikh leader in Operation Blue Star Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale led Damdami Taksal, a group of

devout Sikhs who wanted a theocratic Sikh state Sikh bodyguards responsible for assassination of Indira

Gandhi (Indian PM) in 1984 Retaliation for Blue Star desecration Anti-Sikh riots in India as well

Today, Khalistan issue is occasionally revived politically, but otherwise defunct?

Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale