Achieving Salvation:
Possible Vocab to use: Krinshna, Maya, Moksha
In Hinduism, the belief is that each person is made of a body and a soul, or Atman. The goal in Hinduism is to unite our conscious mind with our Atman because what our conscious mind perceives as reality is known as maya, or illusion. Maya is the belief that we invest ourselves in our life right now, and don't see the larger picture that our Atman is part of. When we finally realize this, and can step outside of our worries in our finite lives, our Atman will achieve Moksha, and escape the cycle of endless rebirths known as Samsara. To help us with this process, there are four main types of Yoga, or ways to unite oneself with one's Atman. These four types of Yoga are: Jnana yoga, the yoga of knowledge, where one studies religious texts to lose numb all other senses through extreme focus so the spiritual sense may be awakened, Bhakti yoga, the yoga of love or devotion for one God where one can lose worldly worry and focus on uniting with one's Atman, Ashtanga yoga, the physical yoga where one must first have moral ethics, then learn to control breathing and focus the mind by banishing all personal thoughts, and finally Karma yoga, the yoga of selfless action, where by acting with good intentions solely for the reason that they are the right thing to do, one does not expect reward and can therefore focus on the most important thing in life and escape selfish desires. By following one of these yogas, our Atman can successfully achieve salvation, and enter into Nirvana where it can reunite with Brahman.
Important figures / deities and/or Concept of God(s):
Possible Vocab to use: Guru, Krishna, Trimurti & Brahman, Trimurti, Avatar, Darshan
There is debate over whether Hinduism is a monotheistic religion or a polytheistic religion. The debate arises because of the following facts about Hinduism. In Hinduism, there is one main god, Brahma who has always been and will always be. Stemming from Brahma are three interpretations of him, the trimurti; Vishnu, Shiva and Brahman. These three interpretations have become deities to help Hindu people understand Brahma better. They each represent one quality of Brahma. For example, Vishnu is the provider of everything needed for the world. Brahman took the material and shaped it into the world we know. Shiva provides a balance of good and evil. Further divisions and sects of Hinduism arise as different depictions of these three deities, such as Vaishnavas, worshippers of Vishnu, Shaivites, worshippers of Shiva, and Shaktas, worshippers of the female version of Shiva. To portray these deities, avatars, or physical representations are used in worship and in festivals. Because of the worship of one God on the surface, and the worship of interpretations of him as deities, Hinduism is both a monotheistic and polytheistic religion.
Sacred Texts / Doctrines
Possible Vocab to use: Shruti, Smirti, Upanishads, Varna
The Vedas are the first recorded religious text in the world, and are records of the Vedic people. Though they do not contain all the main Hindu beliefs of today, they do provide the origins of these beliefs. Within the Four books of the Vedas, the last section, the Upanishads, is perhaps the most influential in the Hindu religion. It provides the philosophical basis for which the Hindu religion was constructed upon. It contains the preliminary beliefs on the Atman, Brahma and Karma which have developed over thousands of years into the system of belief we call "Hinduism" today. The subsequent beliefs that derived from the Upanishads were recorded and retold through Shruti, oral traditon, and Smirti, written tradition. Shruti is passed on with the help of Gurus, religious leaders who have studied with respected Gurus. Smirti is the knowledge passed on through religious texts such as the Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita and Mahabarata. The Bhagavad Gita passes on Hindu beliefs through one main story about warring families in the larger text, the Mahabarata. The Brahmin caste is typically the one that studies these these texts in Jnana yoga and teaches them to the other castes.
Eschatology / Cosmogony / Cosmology
Hindus believe that time is cyclical. It began with the birth of Brahma and it passes in cycles of Brahma's life such as in the "kali yuga" and the "treta yuga". For Brahma, time passes much more quickly than for humans on earth. For humans, one life cycle begins when the body is created, and an Atman joins the body. When we die, our Atman returns to Brahma, a collection of Atman, and our body ceases to be. However, if during our lifetime we reunite our conscious mind with our Atman, our Atman is freed from the cycle of rebirth and can escape to Nirvana. However, if we do not reunite our conscious mind with our Atman, our Atman is again associated with a new body. If we do not perform our duties in life, and we are a bad person in general, our Atman is associated with a body in a lower caste, and it takes that much longer for our Atman to reach Nirvana.
In terms of time, it has always been, and will always be. Our planet and ourselves may cease to exist, but another planet and world will be reborn, and through it all time will always be there. It is the one constant.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Hinduism part III (4 and 5)
Part IV: Doctrine and Scripture:
From the following link 3 of the important Doctrines to research and describe:
Hindu Doctrine is carried on by means of both Shruti and Smirti.
Shruti is aural documentation, passed down by priests and Smirti is written documentation
Vedas
The vedas are the oldest Hindu scriptures that tell the history of the Vedic people. These were the first religious writings and recorded origins of the Hindu religion. There are four vedas:
1. Rig Veda-contains ten books, hymns, Vedic deities, Gayatri mantra and Purusha Shukta prayer
2. Yajur Veda-priestly handbook dictating the performance of yajnas (sacrifices). It is divided into the old "black" and new "white" sections
3. Sama Veda-contains chants and melodies to be sung during worship and yajna
4. Atharva Veda-mantras, hymns, incantations to be sung outside of yajna
Each Veda is comprised of four sections, the first two are focussed on sacrificial rituals, and the last two are focussed on philosophy. The most famous of these are the:
Aryankas
Upanishads
Upanishads
The Upanishads are the last part of each of the four Vedas that are philosophically based. The 108 Upanishads are considered the religious origins of the Hindu religion where concepts such as the nature of the soul and liberation, karma and Brahman are introduced. Of the 108, 13 are the most well-known.
Mahabarata
The Mahabarata is a long story that tells the tale of a war between two families, the Pandavas and the Kauravas. It is the longest poem in the world with 110,000 verses. It teaches many Hindu concepts through its long story such as justice, when violence is ok, duty, qualities of a true leader, warrior ethic, abuse of women and dharma in the role of warrior and priestly castes. The heart of this story is the Bhagavad-Gita, the story of Arjuna, the warrior fighting Kali.
The Vedas, Upanishads and Mahabarata are all connected through their lineage and progression of the Hindu religion. The first Hindu texts were the Vedas, recounting the lives of the Vedic people and primary beliefs, within these, the Upanishads grew in popularity because of their philosophical content. From the Upanishads came the Mahabarata, a story to illustrate the Hindu beliefs in practice.
Part V: Denominations and Practice:
From the following page: Denominations and Practice: choose TWO of the Hindu denominations to describe and explain: (each has a specific link to descriptions):
Vaishnavism- the umbrella term for Hindu sects worshipping Vishnu, or avatars (forms) of Vishnu. Krishna and Rama are two main forms. Vaishnavas practice Bhakti traditions. From the 1100's onward, bhakti practice became popular because it transcended caste barriers. Two main bhakti women saints are Andal and Mirabai. Vaishnavism is the largest Hindu sect practiced around the world.
Shaktism- the general religion that worships Devi. More specifically, the religion that worships the Devi's forms of female deities such as Kali, Pavarti and Durga. Since Shiva represents the male principle and Shakti represents the female principle, these two concepts are complimentary, and therefore the two religions work together. The Shakti religion emphasizes the oneness of matter and spirit, and therefore worships for material benefit (emphasizing the benefits of the material world, rather than how it can entangle the believer) and liberation and connection with the Atman. Another known aspect of Shaktism is animal sacrifice, and sometimes human sacrifice.
Overtime, Devi has become a symbol for women's strength and women's liberation movements, often with pictures of Devi.
From the following link 3 of the important Doctrines to research and describe:
Hindu Doctrine is carried on by means of both Shruti and Smirti.
Shruti is aural documentation, passed down by priests and Smirti is written documentation
Vedas
The vedas are the oldest Hindu scriptures that tell the history of the Vedic people. These were the first religious writings and recorded origins of the Hindu religion. There are four vedas:
1. Rig Veda-contains ten books, hymns, Vedic deities, Gayatri mantra and Purusha Shukta prayer
2. Yajur Veda-priestly handbook dictating the performance of yajnas (sacrifices). It is divided into the old "black" and new "white" sections
3. Sama Veda-contains chants and melodies to be sung during worship and yajna
4. Atharva Veda-mantras, hymns, incantations to be sung outside of yajna
Each Veda is comprised of four sections, the first two are focussed on sacrificial rituals, and the last two are focussed on philosophy. The most famous of these are the:
Aryankas
Upanishads
Upanishads
The Upanishads are the last part of each of the four Vedas that are philosophically based. The 108 Upanishads are considered the religious origins of the Hindu religion where concepts such as the nature of the soul and liberation, karma and Brahman are introduced. Of the 108, 13 are the most well-known.
Mahabarata
The Mahabarata is a long story that tells the tale of a war between two families, the Pandavas and the Kauravas. It is the longest poem in the world with 110,000 verses. It teaches many Hindu concepts through its long story such as justice, when violence is ok, duty, qualities of a true leader, warrior ethic, abuse of women and dharma in the role of warrior and priestly castes. The heart of this story is the Bhagavad-Gita, the story of Arjuna, the warrior fighting Kali.
The Vedas, Upanishads and Mahabarata are all connected through their lineage and progression of the Hindu religion. The first Hindu texts were the Vedas, recounting the lives of the Vedic people and primary beliefs, within these, the Upanishads grew in popularity because of their philosophical content. From the Upanishads came the Mahabarata, a story to illustrate the Hindu beliefs in practice.
Part V: Denominations and Practice:
From the following page: Denominations and Practice: choose TWO of the Hindu denominations to describe and explain: (each has a specific link to descriptions):
Vaishnavism- the umbrella term for Hindu sects worshipping Vishnu, or avatars (forms) of Vishnu. Krishna and Rama are two main forms. Vaishnavas practice Bhakti traditions. From the 1100's onward, bhakti practice became popular because it transcended caste barriers. Two main bhakti women saints are Andal and Mirabai. Vaishnavism is the largest Hindu sect practiced around the world.
Shaktism- the general religion that worships Devi. More specifically, the religion that worships the Devi's forms of female deities such as Kali, Pavarti and Durga. Since Shiva represents the male principle and Shakti represents the female principle, these two concepts are complimentary, and therefore the two religions work together. The Shakti religion emphasizes the oneness of matter and spirit, and therefore worships for material benefit (emphasizing the benefits of the material world, rather than how it can entangle the believer) and liberation and connection with the Atman. Another known aspect of Shaktism is animal sacrifice, and sometimes human sacrifice.
Overtime, Devi has become a symbol for women's strength and women's liberation movements, often with pictures of Devi.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Part II and III Hinduism Project
Yoga
Yoga comes from two meanings of the word 'yoke', which means to unite, and undergo training. Yoga is therefore used to become divine, and unite with the divine spirit while still on Earth. Hinduism believes there are multiple paths, and certain paths will work better for certain individuals than others. The path must be customized. There are 4 main personality types to help one discover which path is right for themselves. However, before beginning the path, one must have a moral base. This means it is filled with truthfulness, cleanliness, contentment, self-discipline, non-stealing and non-injury. Perhaps the most important aspect though, is for one to have a strong desire to reach the ultimate goal.
Jnana-yoga (philosophical research and wisdom)
Jnana yoga, or yoga of knowledge is meant for people with strong spiritual aspirations and who are highly reflective. These people live much of their lives in their head, and their thoughts control their lives. These people are often philosophers, witnessing and reflecting on the world around them. The key for these people is to realize they possess more than their finite self; they possess an infinite self. The path to arrive at this stage is through the realization of division between the surface self and the larger self. This path consists of three stages; learning, thinking and witnessing life from the outside.
Astanga/RajaYoga (physical exercises and meditation)
Generally in the body, life force moves up and down the spine. The goal of Astanga/Raja yoga is to bring this life force between emotions and the mind into balance through physical action. Once emotions and the mind are balanced, this energy can move into a place above the space between both eyebrows called the "third eye". The mind is then free of pointless worry and stressful thoughts. The body becomes very calm, and one can begin to focus on the Lord directly.
Karma-yoga (the yoga of selfless action)
Karma-yoga is the yoga of selfless service. When we act with selfless service we expect nothing in return. When we act with selfish service we expect something and have angst and worry about receiving it. Thereby, we are freeing ourselves of our worry and feel at peace with our actions. This is God acting through us to help others. One becomes more connected with God through Karma-yoga.
Bhakti-Yoga (the path of devotional service)
Bhakti-Yoga is the yoga of pure devotion to God. It is the ultimate goal of jnana yoga and karma yoga. Bhakti is the combination of jnana yoga and karma. It is often for the more emotional worshippers than the other two types of yoga. Bhakti yoga is completely selfless, and is all about the worship of God.
Part II
Step 2: Worship: find THREE of the following to focus your descriptions on:
Trimurti
Brahma- the creator and the quality of passion (raja guna) not often worshiped. There is only one temple in Pushkar.
Vishnu-provider and in charge of the quality of goodness (sattva guna) most often worshipped as Krishna and Rama
Shiva-destroyer quality of ignorance (tama guna) represents the male energy of the world while his counterpart, Shakti represents the female energy.
3 Main Focuses
There are three main worshippers in Hinduism. These correspond with the Trimurti. However, Brahma is replaced with Shakti. Therefore these three groups are:
Vaishnavas – worshippers of Vishnu
Shaivites – worshippers of Shiva
Shaktas – worshippers of Shakti
-Shakti is the female version of Shiva
-material energy, Shakti literally means energy
-shakti has many personifications such as: Durga, Kali-cruel and frightening, Pavarti-kindness, Devi-goddess, Mataji-respected mother
Other dieties in Hinduism are all forms of the Trimurti or are another powerful soul on their own.
Puja
Festival worship of the deities. Deities are worshipped by being bathed, dressed and offered food and other offerings. There are usually 16 devotional acts. During puja, pictures and visual symbols are used to help the worshippers connect with the deity through the deity's energy in the object.
Each denomination (sampradaya) has specific traditions during puja.
2 Festivals
In general, the purpose of festivals is to worship deities, focus one's mind on what's really important in life-the spiritual aspect, gather to create a sense of community, to provide spiritual inspiration for one's daily life
Holi-
Holi is celebrated on the last full moon of the year.
There are many legends as to why Holi is celebrated. These include: The Story of Dhundhi (a story about an annoying ogress), The Holika-Prahlad Episode (when Holika carried Prahlad into the flames), The Kamadeva Myth (when Shiva incinerated Kamadeva). The most popular however, is the story of Radha and Lord Krishna.
Krishna would complain that his sister, Radha's skin was so light. Krishna's mother, Yashoda, told him to through colored powder on Radha's skin to see if she darkened. Krishna is depicted as being a prankster and always throwing powder on Radha's face. Today during Holi, images or actors of Krishna and Radha are seen together being carried by the crowd through the parade.
Holi has also become a celebration for the new year, and a celebration of abundance for the new growing season.
Holi today is celebrated by people throwing powders, called abir, of every color on each other. The colors are made from ground dried flowers. The celebration is abundant with color and lasts for several days (the length varies depending on the denomination) .
Diwali
Diwali lasts for 5 days and on the third day, the main day of the festival there is a light show "Festival of Lights" complete with candles and fireworks. On this day, gifts are exchanged as well.
People seek blessings from the Goddess of Wealth.
The festival represents different events in different parts of India. In nothern India, it represent's Rama's return to Ayodhya after he defeated Ravana. In Gujarat, the festival honors Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, and in Bengal it is associated with Kali.
For all variations of the festival, the common theme is that Diwali celebrates new life, and therefore people wear new clothes on this day. It also represents the coming of a new sewing season after winter.
Step 4: Pilgrimage: choose TWO holy sites that are visited and explain:
why they are pilgrimage sights
what is done at these locations.
In Hinduism, there are thousands of holy sites, or tirthas. Many are in India, but there are also numerous tirthas around the world.
Varanasi
The most famous is Varanasi, one of seven ancient holy towns. It is on the banks of the Ganges river, 450 miles south of Delhi. Its most famous mandir, or symbol, is the Golden Temple dedicated to Visvanatha/Shiva. It is the city of Shiva, and Hindus flock to the city for liberation. Because it is a very holy city, families bring their deceased family members for cremation, and later so their ashes can be thrown in the Ganges for a safe holy travel to the next life.
Ganges River
Holy sites also include natural features such as rivers and mountains. Water especially is symbollic in Hinduism of sustaining life, use in rituals and cleansing one of stress. Also, if one bathes in water associated with a deity, the believer will be cleansed of sins. In Hinduism there are seven main rivers, but perhaps the most famous is the Ganges river in India.
The Ganges river was named after the god, Ganga. Ganga was portrayed in the Mahabhrata sitting on a lotus riding a crocodile down the river. Most rivers are considered female and personified as goddesses. The Ganges in particular is very holy and used for many spiritual festivals to cleanse the believer. It is used in burial rituals for family members to throw the ashes of their beloved into the river.
Step 5. Two Rites of Passage
Jatakarma- Birth Ceremonies.
When the child is welcomed to the world, the father places ghee (butter) and honey on the child's tongue and whispers the name of God in his ear. After the 11th day, the child participates in the name giving ceremony, namakarana, by putting new clothes on the baby. The child's name is chosen by the name of position of the moon at the birth. A havan, fire sacrifice, and feast follow these rituals. There are several later rituals for the child including:
1. The first outing- when the child first meets the sun, the moon and the temple deity
2. The first haircut
3. The first grains
4. Ear lobe piercing
Vivaha-Marriage
Vivaha is the most important samskara. The couple is chosen by elders based on their astrological signs and tended to work well. The couples had to stay together through life, and if they divorced would be excluded from the society. Couples usually come from the same varna, social class, though sometimes women married men of a higher varna, but the opposite was prohibited. Also, a dowry was included where the family of the woman would give money to her. This was outlawed in India in 1961.
Women were usually married younger to older men because women mature must faster.
There are 8 types of marriages all performed by a brahmana priest. In each ceremony there are 12 common features including exchanging flower garlands, taking seven steps together and receiving the elder's blessings.
Step 6.
Describe the concept of Dharma.
Dharma is described as "religious duty". There are two main dharmas: sanatana dharma and varnashrama dharma. The moral codes are called sadharana dharma.
Dharma is the way of the world, and the duties humans do as a part of that. It is the natural order and function of all living beings.
In order to have or demand rights we must first uphold our responsibility.
Sanatana dharma- the soul's eternal drive to serve God. It is the acceptance of many other religions and beliefs in Hinduism as well as equality among all living creatures.
Varnashrama dharma- refers to the different religious duties in life as they change depending on the stage that the believer is at.
Purpose and meaning of the Four Varnas.
Varnas are one's position in society. This is composed of one's social class ( four varnas) and stage in life (the four ashrams). The individual duties within these division are sva-dharma.
The four main groups are the:
Shudras- worker and artisans for the other groups. Their purpose is to serve the other groups. They are permitted to receive money from the other groups, and the only required rite of passage is marriage.
Vaishyas- the farmers, merchant and business people. They have been spiritually initiated into Hinduism. Their job is to pay taxes to the Kshatriyas, protect animals and land, and create prosperity for the society.
Kshatriyas- warriors, police and administration. Their job is to protect the people of the society, accept challenges, never leave a battle and develop noble qualities.
Brahmanas- the teachers, priests, intellectuals. Their job is to provide the spiritual direction for society, inform and educate society and live frugally.
These four classes are developed so a society can function with everything it needs and so the people can liver harmoniously and work well in their class. They were originally developed because of mutual co-operation and a shared devotion to God.
These classes provide one with a duty in life so one does not get lost and wander around unsure of what to do and how to act. They provide a path for the individual.
Explain the purpose and meaning behind the Four Ashrams.
Ashram means "place of spiritual shelter" and is just that- a place for worshippers to go and focus solely on their spiritual aspirations, and also in general, stages of life. The purpose of the ashrams is to focus on the important stage and duty of life that one is in at the moment. These ashrams are important for their distinction between these stages, and for Hindus to realize everything will come in due time as the mind changes what it wants.
The four main ashrams are: Brahmachari (Student Life), Grihasta (Household Life), Vanaprashta (Retired Life), Sanyasa (renounced life)
Brahmachari (student life)- Students are sent to schools, like boarding schools, to study and memorize scripture. These schools are rigorous and filled with extreme focus.
Grihasta (household life)- the everyday life and development of a family. This requires family responsibilities, that one provide and care for one's family. This varna is more involved in society than the others.
Vanaprashta (retired life)- After the children have left the house and the couple has finished their parenting duties, a man and his wife invest themselves in more spiritual matters. The man will often go on pilgrimage, sometimes with his wife. In whole, the couple will devote themselves to attaining a higher spiritual state.
Sanyasa (renounced life)-This is only available to men who exhibit qualities of a brahmana. A sanyasi is a man who leaves his family and wife and is free to wander, relying on God alone. These men are called sannyasis or sadhus. These men are detached and fearless, wholly dependent on God to protect them.
Part III
Dance and Drama
Dance
Dance and theater were first performed in temples to portray spiritual themes. The official handbook for dance and theater was written by Sage Bharata Muni and called "Natya Shastra". When the Moghul and British Empires invaded, dance and theater became more for entertainment. The two main styles of dance are folk and classical.
Folk
Dandiya Rasa- a dance performed by women during Navaratri with wooden sticks emphasizing the rhythm
Garba- a circular clap dance performed by women during Navaratri
Bhangra-a colorful harvest festival from Punjab mainly performed by men and boys
Giddha- graceful female dance from Punjab
Classical
Kathak- major northern style used to tell stories (katha) using intricate framework
Bharata Natyam- major southern dance style. graceful dance using facial expressions and hand gestures (mudras)
Kathakali-dance from the South. It is an expressive/drama dance using colorful face masks.
Drama
Dance and Drama were often interwoven. Other entertainment forms were popular too. The theatrical portrayal of lilas (divine pastimes) was popular and especially Rama-lila and Krishna lila. These plays show what Rama and Krishna did during their everyday. The actor is often believed to become the deity he is portraying. Today dramas and dances are still performed to educate the world on Hindu beliefs.
Family Life
There are three main views of family in the Hindu religion.
The first is that family is a distraction from the true spiritual path and one becomes trapped in maya (illusion)
The second is that family is the essential building block in varnashrama-dharma society.
The third is that material objects can be used to attain a higher spiritual state with grihasta.
Sannyasa can be achieved by performing household duties.
The basic building blocks of Hindu society lie in the roles of the extended family. In one household, there are members of all ages. This also represents the different ashrams in Hinduism. The elders provide advice for the younger generations, the women have the domestic duties, the men provide the income and property passes from father to son. Men make the decisions, though older women have strong influence as well. Women marry into their husbands family, and become a part of it.
Family relationships: A child can joke with his grandparents, but never with his parents. There is also a dependence in Hindu family life between members. For example, children and the elderly cannot financially support themselves, so they rely on the income of the working members. However, when the working members were young and when they grow older, they will need to rely on the income of the working members at that time. There is a continuous cycle of debt and repaying. Members also support each other through life events such as the birth of a child and a marriage. Marriages are often more stable as well because the entire family relies on the husband and wife, and the marriage is based in more than just emotional ties between the couple.
Today, the extended family is becoming less popular because of modern western trends.
Names: there are specific names for an aunt or uncle depending on their exact relationship with you. For example:
A paternal grandfather: Dada
A maternal grandfather: Nana
Yoga comes from two meanings of the word 'yoke', which means to unite, and undergo training. Yoga is therefore used to become divine, and unite with the divine spirit while still on Earth. Hinduism believes there are multiple paths, and certain paths will work better for certain individuals than others. The path must be customized. There are 4 main personality types to help one discover which path is right for themselves. However, before beginning the path, one must have a moral base. This means it is filled with truthfulness, cleanliness, contentment, self-discipline, non-stealing and non-injury. Perhaps the most important aspect though, is for one to have a strong desire to reach the ultimate goal.
Jnana-yoga (philosophical research and wisdom)
Jnana yoga, or yoga of knowledge is meant for people with strong spiritual aspirations and who are highly reflective. These people live much of their lives in their head, and their thoughts control their lives. These people are often philosophers, witnessing and reflecting on the world around them. The key for these people is to realize they possess more than their finite self; they possess an infinite self. The path to arrive at this stage is through the realization of division between the surface self and the larger self. This path consists of three stages; learning, thinking and witnessing life from the outside.
Astanga/RajaYoga (physical exercises and meditation)
Generally in the body, life force moves up and down the spine. The goal of Astanga/Raja yoga is to bring this life force between emotions and the mind into balance through physical action. Once emotions and the mind are balanced, this energy can move into a place above the space between both eyebrows called the "third eye". The mind is then free of pointless worry and stressful thoughts. The body becomes very calm, and one can begin to focus on the Lord directly.
Karma-yoga (the yoga of selfless action)
Karma-yoga is the yoga of selfless service. When we act with selfless service we expect nothing in return. When we act with selfish service we expect something and have angst and worry about receiving it. Thereby, we are freeing ourselves of our worry and feel at peace with our actions. This is God acting through us to help others. One becomes more connected with God through Karma-yoga.
Bhakti-Yoga (the path of devotional service)
Bhakti-Yoga is the yoga of pure devotion to God. It is the ultimate goal of jnana yoga and karma yoga. Bhakti is the combination of jnana yoga and karma. It is often for the more emotional worshippers than the other two types of yoga. Bhakti yoga is completely selfless, and is all about the worship of God.
Part II
Step 2: Worship: find THREE of the following to focus your descriptions on:
Trimurti
Brahma- the creator and the quality of passion (raja guna) not often worshiped. There is only one temple in Pushkar.
Vishnu-provider and in charge of the quality of goodness (sattva guna) most often worshipped as Krishna and Rama
Shiva-destroyer quality of ignorance (tama guna) represents the male energy of the world while his counterpart, Shakti represents the female energy.
3 Main Focuses
There are three main worshippers in Hinduism. These correspond with the Trimurti. However, Brahma is replaced with Shakti. Therefore these three groups are:
Vaishnavas – worshippers of Vishnu
Shaivites – worshippers of Shiva
Shaktas – worshippers of Shakti
-Shakti is the female version of Shiva
-material energy, Shakti literally means energy
-shakti has many personifications such as: Durga, Kali-cruel and frightening, Pavarti-kindness, Devi-goddess, Mataji-respected mother
Other dieties in Hinduism are all forms of the Trimurti or are another powerful soul on their own.
Puja
Festival worship of the deities. Deities are worshipped by being bathed, dressed and offered food and other offerings. There are usually 16 devotional acts. During puja, pictures and visual symbols are used to help the worshippers connect with the deity through the deity's energy in the object.
Each denomination (sampradaya) has specific traditions during puja.
2 Festivals
In general, the purpose of festivals is to worship deities, focus one's mind on what's really important in life-the spiritual aspect, gather to create a sense of community, to provide spiritual inspiration for one's daily life
Holi-
Holi is celebrated on the last full moon of the year.
There are many legends as to why Holi is celebrated. These include: The Story of Dhundhi (a story about an annoying ogress), The Holika-Prahlad Episode (when Holika carried Prahlad into the flames), The Kamadeva Myth (when Shiva incinerated Kamadeva). The most popular however, is the story of Radha and Lord Krishna.
Krishna would complain that his sister, Radha's skin was so light. Krishna's mother, Yashoda, told him to through colored powder on Radha's skin to see if she darkened. Krishna is depicted as being a prankster and always throwing powder on Radha's face. Today during Holi, images or actors of Krishna and Radha are seen together being carried by the crowd through the parade.
Holi has also become a celebration for the new year, and a celebration of abundance for the new growing season.
Holi today is celebrated by people throwing powders, called abir, of every color on each other. The colors are made from ground dried flowers. The celebration is abundant with color and lasts for several days (the length varies depending on the denomination) .
Diwali
Diwali lasts for 5 days and on the third day, the main day of the festival there is a light show "Festival of Lights" complete with candles and fireworks. On this day, gifts are exchanged as well.
People seek blessings from the Goddess of Wealth.
The festival represents different events in different parts of India. In nothern India, it represent's Rama's return to Ayodhya after he defeated Ravana. In Gujarat, the festival honors Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, and in Bengal it is associated with Kali.
For all variations of the festival, the common theme is that Diwali celebrates new life, and therefore people wear new clothes on this day. It also represents the coming of a new sewing season after winter.
Step 4: Pilgrimage: choose TWO holy sites that are visited and explain:
why they are pilgrimage sights
what is done at these locations.
In Hinduism, there are thousands of holy sites, or tirthas. Many are in India, but there are also numerous tirthas around the world.
Varanasi
The most famous is Varanasi, one of seven ancient holy towns. It is on the banks of the Ganges river, 450 miles south of Delhi. Its most famous mandir, or symbol, is the Golden Temple dedicated to Visvanatha/Shiva. It is the city of Shiva, and Hindus flock to the city for liberation. Because it is a very holy city, families bring their deceased family members for cremation, and later so their ashes can be thrown in the Ganges for a safe holy travel to the next life.
Ganges River
Holy sites also include natural features such as rivers and mountains. Water especially is symbollic in Hinduism of sustaining life, use in rituals and cleansing one of stress. Also, if one bathes in water associated with a deity, the believer will be cleansed of sins. In Hinduism there are seven main rivers, but perhaps the most famous is the Ganges river in India.
The Ganges river was named after the god, Ganga. Ganga was portrayed in the Mahabhrata sitting on a lotus riding a crocodile down the river. Most rivers are considered female and personified as goddesses. The Ganges in particular is very holy and used for many spiritual festivals to cleanse the believer. It is used in burial rituals for family members to throw the ashes of their beloved into the river.
Step 5. Two Rites of Passage
Jatakarma- Birth Ceremonies.
When the child is welcomed to the world, the father places ghee (butter) and honey on the child's tongue and whispers the name of God in his ear. After the 11th day, the child participates in the name giving ceremony, namakarana, by putting new clothes on the baby. The child's name is chosen by the name of position of the moon at the birth. A havan, fire sacrifice, and feast follow these rituals. There are several later rituals for the child including:
1. The first outing- when the child first meets the sun, the moon and the temple deity
2. The first haircut
3. The first grains
4. Ear lobe piercing
Vivaha-Marriage
Vivaha is the most important samskara. The couple is chosen by elders based on their astrological signs and tended to work well. The couples had to stay together through life, and if they divorced would be excluded from the society. Couples usually come from the same varna, social class, though sometimes women married men of a higher varna, but the opposite was prohibited. Also, a dowry was included where the family of the woman would give money to her. This was outlawed in India in 1961.
Women were usually married younger to older men because women mature must faster.
There are 8 types of marriages all performed by a brahmana priest. In each ceremony there are 12 common features including exchanging flower garlands, taking seven steps together and receiving the elder's blessings.
Step 6.
Describe the concept of Dharma.
Dharma is described as "religious duty". There are two main dharmas: sanatana dharma and varnashrama dharma. The moral codes are called sadharana dharma.
Dharma is the way of the world, and the duties humans do as a part of that. It is the natural order and function of all living beings.
In order to have or demand rights we must first uphold our responsibility.
Sanatana dharma- the soul's eternal drive to serve God. It is the acceptance of many other religions and beliefs in Hinduism as well as equality among all living creatures.
Varnashrama dharma- refers to the different religious duties in life as they change depending on the stage that the believer is at.
Purpose and meaning of the Four Varnas.
Varnas are one's position in society. This is composed of one's social class ( four varnas) and stage in life (the four ashrams). The individual duties within these division are sva-dharma.
The four main groups are the:
Shudras- worker and artisans for the other groups. Their purpose is to serve the other groups. They are permitted to receive money from the other groups, and the only required rite of passage is marriage.
Vaishyas- the farmers, merchant and business people. They have been spiritually initiated into Hinduism. Their job is to pay taxes to the Kshatriyas, protect animals and land, and create prosperity for the society.
Kshatriyas- warriors, police and administration. Their job is to protect the people of the society, accept challenges, never leave a battle and develop noble qualities.
Brahmanas- the teachers, priests, intellectuals. Their job is to provide the spiritual direction for society, inform and educate society and live frugally.
These four classes are developed so a society can function with everything it needs and so the people can liver harmoniously and work well in their class. They were originally developed because of mutual co-operation and a shared devotion to God.
These classes provide one with a duty in life so one does not get lost and wander around unsure of what to do and how to act. They provide a path for the individual.
Explain the purpose and meaning behind the Four Ashrams.
Ashram means "place of spiritual shelter" and is just that- a place for worshippers to go and focus solely on their spiritual aspirations, and also in general, stages of life. The purpose of the ashrams is to focus on the important stage and duty of life that one is in at the moment. These ashrams are important for their distinction between these stages, and for Hindus to realize everything will come in due time as the mind changes what it wants.
The four main ashrams are: Brahmachari (Student Life), Grihasta (Household Life), Vanaprashta (Retired Life), Sanyasa (renounced life)
Brahmachari (student life)- Students are sent to schools, like boarding schools, to study and memorize scripture. These schools are rigorous and filled with extreme focus.
Grihasta (household life)- the everyday life and development of a family. This requires family responsibilities, that one provide and care for one's family. This varna is more involved in society than the others.
Vanaprashta (retired life)- After the children have left the house and the couple has finished their parenting duties, a man and his wife invest themselves in more spiritual matters. The man will often go on pilgrimage, sometimes with his wife. In whole, the couple will devote themselves to attaining a higher spiritual state.
Sanyasa (renounced life)-This is only available to men who exhibit qualities of a brahmana. A sanyasi is a man who leaves his family and wife and is free to wander, relying on God alone. These men are called sannyasis or sadhus. These men are detached and fearless, wholly dependent on God to protect them.
Part III
Dance and Drama
Dance
Dance and theater were first performed in temples to portray spiritual themes. The official handbook for dance and theater was written by Sage Bharata Muni and called "Natya Shastra". When the Moghul and British Empires invaded, dance and theater became more for entertainment. The two main styles of dance are folk and classical.
Folk
Dandiya Rasa- a dance performed by women during Navaratri with wooden sticks emphasizing the rhythm
Garba- a circular clap dance performed by women during Navaratri
Bhangra-a colorful harvest festival from Punjab mainly performed by men and boys
Giddha- graceful female dance from Punjab
Classical
Kathak- major northern style used to tell stories (katha) using intricate framework
Bharata Natyam- major southern dance style. graceful dance using facial expressions and hand gestures (mudras)
Kathakali-dance from the South. It is an expressive/drama dance using colorful face masks.
Drama
Dance and Drama were often interwoven. Other entertainment forms were popular too. The theatrical portrayal of lilas (divine pastimes) was popular and especially Rama-lila and Krishna lila. These plays show what Rama and Krishna did during their everyday. The actor is often believed to become the deity he is portraying. Today dramas and dances are still performed to educate the world on Hindu beliefs.
Family Life
There are three main views of family in the Hindu religion.
The first is that family is a distraction from the true spiritual path and one becomes trapped in maya (illusion)
The second is that family is the essential building block in varnashrama-dharma society.
The third is that material objects can be used to attain a higher spiritual state with grihasta.
Sannyasa can be achieved by performing household duties.
The basic building blocks of Hindu society lie in the roles of the extended family. In one household, there are members of all ages. This also represents the different ashrams in Hinduism. The elders provide advice for the younger generations, the women have the domestic duties, the men provide the income and property passes from father to son. Men make the decisions, though older women have strong influence as well. Women marry into their husbands family, and become a part of it.
Family relationships: A child can joke with his grandparents, but never with his parents. There is also a dependence in Hindu family life between members. For example, children and the elderly cannot financially support themselves, so they rely on the income of the working members. However, when the working members were young and when they grow older, they will need to rely on the income of the working members at that time. There is a continuous cycle of debt and repaying. Members also support each other through life events such as the birth of a child and a marriage. Marriages are often more stable as well because the entire family relies on the husband and wife, and the marriage is based in more than just emotional ties between the couple.
Today, the extended family is becoming less popular because of modern western trends.
Names: there are specific names for an aunt or uncle depending on their exact relationship with you. For example:
A paternal grandfather: Dada
A maternal grandfather: Nana
Monday, September 20, 2010
12 Concepts
1. The Atman (the Soul): Who are we? What is the real self?
We are composed of a mind, a body and our Atman. Our Atman is distinct from the other two components because it travels though many bodies and minds. It is like the actor behind a mask who plays many roles, never becoming any one of them. The Atman is the real self. We can see life through the Atman by separating our Atman from our mind, and observing our actions from the outside. The Atman is free of gender, color and all ascribing human factors.
2. Reincarnation and Samsara What happens after death, before birth?
Before birth our soul is part of a collective or Brahman. It has no conscious awareness without the body. When we are born, our bodies are a vessel for this Atman, our part of the collective soul. When we die, our Atman returns to this collective and awaits its next body. This cycle of rebirths for the Atman is called Samsara. It is continuous, until the Atman is freed. Hindus believe we are a soul, but possess a body.
3. The Law of Karma Why is there suffering?
Karma can only be affected in Human life because we have free choice. In animals, there is no free choice, and decisions are made on instinct.
Suffering is a combination of our own choices in life. There is suffering when we fail to see the bigger picture in life, and get caught up in our finite desires and issues Also, if we commit impious actions such as harming the five sections of society: women, children, animals (especially cows), saintly people, and the elderly this causes suffering. Suffering also includes being stuck in the cycle of Samsara and not escaping into Englightenment where there is endless fulfillment of desire.
4. Prakriti (Matter) and Guna How does the world work?
The eternal Atman is trapped inside many bodies made of matter (prakti). This matter has three stages (gunas):
1. Creation: fueled by passion (rajas)
2. Sustanance: fueled by goodness (sattva)
3. Destruction: fueled by ignorance (tamas)
People are inclined to focus on one of the modes, determining their life. Goodness: ascend to Enlightenment, Passion: stay on Earth, Destrution: move down to a lower species (one w/ no free will)
Each Guna is controlled by one of the three dieties: Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma.
5. Maya (Illusion) Why do we get into difficulty in this world?
We get into difficulty in this world because our soul identifies with our body, and believes they are one. The soul, or Atman, becomes focussed on worldly desires, and enters the circle of disappointment and desire, redoubling its efforts and getting trapped deeper in the circle.
6. moksha (Liberation) What is the goal of life?
Moksha is the goal of Hindu life. To escape Samsara, and free the soul from its attachment to the body. To unify one's Atman with God, and to step outside of worldly desires.
7.God (Brahman / Ishvara) Is there a God? If so, what is He/She like?
In Hinduism there is a god, Brahman; however, Brahman is perceived in many different ways. Here are two:
God Part I: Monism, or advaita. In this way, God is perceived as all inclusive, but his aspects are viewed through the different deities which are all a part of him.
God Part II: Monotheism. God is separate from the different deities, though they are associated and work with him. If one worships the other deities, one is also indirectly worshipping God.
8. Dharma (religious duties) Which is the right way to act?
Sanatana Dharma: duties dealing with faith that are performed by all people
Varnashana Dharms: duties dealing with one's specific role in society. For example, protector (in the military), teacher, service worker supporting the society etc.
Some religions just call themselves Sanatana Dharma because it is more specific than "Hinduism."
All people should adhere to their Varnashana Dharms, which are different for each group, but all people adhere to the same Sanatana Dharma because they are spiritual obligations.
9. One Goal, Different Paths How can we explain Hindu diversity?
There are four goals in Hinduism. They are each stepping stones to the last and ultimate goal, to achieve moksha and fulfill infinite desires. These four goals are:
harma-regulated living to achieve wealth, and to provide a basis for the material life
artha-economic development, growing material possessions and becoming more successful
kama- sensual pleasure, enjoying life's pleasures attained by artha
moksha- uniting the mind and soul and achieving infinite fulfillment of desire
(prema-loving of God, the 5th step)
Hindu diversity exists because each person is trying to achieve a different goal, as well as the million ways to achieve each of these goals. There is an infinite number of paths to achieve these goals. Many religions, such as Christianity and Buddhism, can be a part of Hinduism, because Hindus view them as a means to get to the same ultimate goal. However, the final goal that everyone tries to achieve is moksha, the connection of the mind to the soul to achieve infinite fulfillment of desire.
10. Scripture and Guru (Authority) How are the teachings preserved?
shastra is the term for Hindu scripture
Shabdabrahman- the term for oral teachings, which are considered the most orthodox
Hinduism uses scriptures and teachings to guide the experience of the believer, but from there heavily relies on individual discoveries and experiences to move the believer to his or her next goals.
Many teachings are preserved through oral tradition, not in books. This is because oral tradition is considered the most orthodox means of recording Hindu teachings.
11 .Time When did it all start and when will it finish?
The Hindu concept of time is cyclical and never ending. Every time something is destroyed, it is recreated, therefore showing the cycle of time. There are 4 ages, which are divisions of Brahman's time, which is much longer than time on Earth.
Brahman's one day is broken into 1,000 maha-yugas, or the term for 4 ages on Earth.
Time began when Brahman was born, and will end when Brahman dies.
12. Creation How and why was this world made?
The world was not created once, but many times. Within our universe there are 3 realms. There is the heavenly realm, the earthly realm and the lower realm. The atman, the most subtle of matter, is successively created and matched with a material body to fulfill its material desires. When it is ready, the atman will be returned to the spiritual world.
The world was created by Brahma who sprung from Vishnu's belly button and sacrificed himself for the creation of the world. Therefore everything in the world, including our souls is part of Brahma. The earth was created for those Atman who wished to be separate from God and enjoy worldly desires. However, they must realize these desires lead to a trail of suffering and that they must return to be a part of Brahma again.
We are composed of a mind, a body and our Atman. Our Atman is distinct from the other two components because it travels though many bodies and minds. It is like the actor behind a mask who plays many roles, never becoming any one of them. The Atman is the real self. We can see life through the Atman by separating our Atman from our mind, and observing our actions from the outside. The Atman is free of gender, color and all ascribing human factors.
2. Reincarnation and Samsara What happens after death, before birth?
Before birth our soul is part of a collective or Brahman. It has no conscious awareness without the body. When we are born, our bodies are a vessel for this Atman, our part of the collective soul. When we die, our Atman returns to this collective and awaits its next body. This cycle of rebirths for the Atman is called Samsara. It is continuous, until the Atman is freed. Hindus believe we are a soul, but possess a body.
3. The Law of Karma Why is there suffering?
Karma can only be affected in Human life because we have free choice. In animals, there is no free choice, and decisions are made on instinct.
Suffering is a combination of our own choices in life. There is suffering when we fail to see the bigger picture in life, and get caught up in our finite desires and issues Also, if we commit impious actions such as harming the five sections of society: women, children, animals (especially cows), saintly people, and the elderly this causes suffering. Suffering also includes being stuck in the cycle of Samsara and not escaping into Englightenment where there is endless fulfillment of desire.
4. Prakriti (Matter) and Guna How does the world work?
The eternal Atman is trapped inside many bodies made of matter (prakti). This matter has three stages (gunas):
1. Creation: fueled by passion (rajas)
2. Sustanance: fueled by goodness (sattva)
3. Destruction: fueled by ignorance (tamas)
People are inclined to focus on one of the modes, determining their life. Goodness: ascend to Enlightenment, Passion: stay on Earth, Destrution: move down to a lower species (one w/ no free will)
Each Guna is controlled by one of the three dieties: Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma.
5. Maya (Illusion) Why do we get into difficulty in this world?
We get into difficulty in this world because our soul identifies with our body, and believes they are one. The soul, or Atman, becomes focussed on worldly desires, and enters the circle of disappointment and desire, redoubling its efforts and getting trapped deeper in the circle.
6. moksha (Liberation) What is the goal of life?
Moksha is the goal of Hindu life. To escape Samsara, and free the soul from its attachment to the body. To unify one's Atman with God, and to step outside of worldly desires.
7.God (Brahman / Ishvara) Is there a God? If so, what is He/She like?
In Hinduism there is a god, Brahman; however, Brahman is perceived in many different ways. Here are two:
God Part I: Monism, or advaita. In this way, God is perceived as all inclusive, but his aspects are viewed through the different deities which are all a part of him.
God Part II: Monotheism. God is separate from the different deities, though they are associated and work with him. If one worships the other deities, one is also indirectly worshipping God.
8. Dharma (religious duties) Which is the right way to act?
Sanatana Dharma: duties dealing with faith that are performed by all people
Varnashana Dharms: duties dealing with one's specific role in society. For example, protector (in the military), teacher, service worker supporting the society etc.
Some religions just call themselves Sanatana Dharma because it is more specific than "Hinduism."
All people should adhere to their Varnashana Dharms, which are different for each group, but all people adhere to the same Sanatana Dharma because they are spiritual obligations.
9. One Goal, Different Paths How can we explain Hindu diversity?
There are four goals in Hinduism. They are each stepping stones to the last and ultimate goal, to achieve moksha and fulfill infinite desires. These four goals are:
harma-regulated living to achieve wealth, and to provide a basis for the material life
artha-economic development, growing material possessions and becoming more successful
kama- sensual pleasure, enjoying life's pleasures attained by artha
moksha- uniting the mind and soul and achieving infinite fulfillment of desire
(prema-loving of God, the 5th step)
Hindu diversity exists because each person is trying to achieve a different goal, as well as the million ways to achieve each of these goals. There is an infinite number of paths to achieve these goals. Many religions, such as Christianity and Buddhism, can be a part of Hinduism, because Hindus view them as a means to get to the same ultimate goal. However, the final goal that everyone tries to achieve is moksha, the connection of the mind to the soul to achieve infinite fulfillment of desire.
10. Scripture and Guru (Authority) How are the teachings preserved?
shastra is the term for Hindu scripture
Shabdabrahman- the term for oral teachings, which are considered the most orthodox
Hinduism uses scriptures and teachings to guide the experience of the believer, but from there heavily relies on individual discoveries and experiences to move the believer to his or her next goals.
Many teachings are preserved through oral tradition, not in books. This is because oral tradition is considered the most orthodox means of recording Hindu teachings.
11 .Time When did it all start and when will it finish?
The Hindu concept of time is cyclical and never ending. Every time something is destroyed, it is recreated, therefore showing the cycle of time. There are 4 ages, which are divisions of Brahman's time, which is much longer than time on Earth.
Brahman's one day is broken into 1,000 maha-yugas, or the term for 4 ages on Earth.
Time began when Brahman was born, and will end when Brahman dies.
12. Creation How and why was this world made?
The world was not created once, but many times. Within our universe there are 3 realms. There is the heavenly realm, the earthly realm and the lower realm. The atman, the most subtle of matter, is successively created and matched with a material body to fulfill its material desires. When it is ready, the atman will be returned to the spiritual world.
The world was created by Brahma who sprung from Vishnu's belly button and sacrificed himself for the creation of the world. Therefore everything in the world, including our souls is part of Brahma. The earth was created for those Atman who wished to be separate from God and enjoy worldly desires. However, they must realize these desires lead to a trail of suffering and that they must return to be a part of Brahma again.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Hinduism Vocabulary
HINDUISM VOCABULARY
Sanatana Dharma
Hinduism is referred to by its adherents as Sanatana Dharma. Sanatana Dharma is a Sanskrit phrase meaning “the eternal law.”
The Vedas
The Vedas (‘knowledge’) are a large body of texts that originated in ancient India. The Vedas are written in Vedic Sanskrit (oldest layer of Sanskrit literature), and are the oldest scriptures of Hinduism. They are composed of four collections of hymns, detached poetical portions, and ceremonial formulas. They are called Rig – Veda, Sama – Veda, Yajur – Veda, and the Atharva – Veda.
Upanishads
They are philosophical texts of the Hindu religion. There are around 200, the first dozen or so are referred to as principal, main, or old Upanishads. The oldest Upanishads date back to the pre – Buddhist era of India.
Bhagavad Gita
Otherwise simply known as ‘Gita.” The text consists of a conversation between Lord Krishna and Arjuna taking place on the battlefield before the start of the Kurukshetra war. Lord Krishna relays yogic and vedantic philosophies to Arjuna.
Ramayana
Tells the story of a man, Rama whose wife is abducted by the demon king. The story explores the reasons and lessons of human existence and concept of dharma (the principle/law that orders the universe)
Atman
Philosophical term used within Hinduism. Identifies the soul whether in global sense (world's soul) or in individual sense (of a person own soul). It’s the eternal soul with “layers” that one must shed to reach Nirvana.
Avatar
Refers to a descent of a deity (an incarnation of a deva (god) from heaven to earth, or a descent of the Supreme Being, and is mostly translated as “incarnation” in English, but more accurately as "appearance" or "manifestation”
Bhajans
Any type of Indian devotional song. It has no fixed form. It is normally lyrical, expressing love for the Divine. Anecdotes and episodes from scriptures, the teachings of saints and descriptions of gods have all been the subject of Bhajans.
Brahman
Everything and the ultimate reality, encompassing everything we know, nature of Brahman is described as being transpersonal, personal and impersonal by different philosophical schools.
Brahma
Hindu god (deva) of creation and one of the Trimurti
Trimurti
concept in Hinduism where cosmic functions of creation, maintenance, and destruction are personified as Brahma the creator, Vishnu the maintainer or preserver, and Shiva the destroyer or transformer. The three deities also called "the Hindu triad" or the "Great Trinity.”
Vishnu
The preserver and restorer, the creator and destroyer of all existences, one who supports, sustains, and governs Universe
Shiva
God that takes back or destroys, keeps the balance in life ,the Destroyer or transformer of the Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity of the primary aspects of the divine
Darshan
vision from the divine
Gunas
3 qualities of energy
Tamas: dullness/ignorance
Rajas: energy/passion
Sattva
light and clarity, to lead the right path. Living awareness, it’s a term of power due to its purity and meaning and has become the representation for many peaceful social movements, particularly those centered on social justice, environmentalism and vegetarianism.
Guru
has great knowledge, wisdom and authority in a certain area, and who uses it to guide others
Ishta-Devata
the form of God one chooses to worship, is a term stating a worshipper's favorite deity
Krishna
the Deity of enjoyment in life, close to Vishnu like the preserver, worshipped across many traditions in Hinduism in a variety of perspectives. Some traditions recognize Krishna as an avatar of Vishnu, other traditions within Krishnaism consider him to be the Supreme Being.
Rita
Universe is divided into Sat(being) and Asat(non-being). Rita governs Sat
Akriti
Any truth worth setting up as the foundation of your religion, the truth must ultimately come from beyond space and time, and it has to be true forever.
Law of Karma
The belief states that our actions in this life influence our status in our next life, Karma is the law of cause and effect. There are three kinds of karma.
Maya
The deity of illusion that things are not connected. There is no division between all things in the Universe. Everything is one and connected.
Moksha
To free oneself from the cycle of death and rebirth into Nirvana
Murti
refers to an image which expresses a Divine Spirit (murta), means "embodiment.” A murti is a representation of a divinity, made usually of stone, wood, or metal, and is used to worship divinity.
Puja
It’s a religious ritual performed by Hindus as an offering to various deities, distinguished persons, or special guests. It’s done on a variety of occasions and settings, from daily puja done in the home, to temple ceremonies and large festivals.
Samsara
“the continuous flow,” the cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth, (reincarnation).
Smriti
Second source of reference on dharma besides Sruti. Composed after the Vedas and is the reference for traditions of dharma (holy laws of the Universe)
Varna
the name for the original social division of Vedic people into four groups (which are subdivided into thousands of jatis)
Jati
Hindu caste or distinctive social group consisting of thousands throughout India
Yoga
Hindu discipline aimed at training the consciousness to attain a state of spiritual insight. This is achieved 4 different ways.
- Bhakti
o spiritual love and devotion to God. Nothing else matters, and feeling a spiritual connection with God is the goal
- Jnana
o letting go of emotions and thoughts and being able to focus and let go
- Karma
o Union through action. Acting without being attached to the outcome. This sharpens an individual’s actions and decisions.
- Raja
o bringing the mind and emotions into balance, so attention can be focused on the Lord
Sanatana Dharma
Hinduism is referred to by its adherents as Sanatana Dharma. Sanatana Dharma is a Sanskrit phrase meaning “the eternal law.”
The Vedas
The Vedas (‘knowledge’) are a large body of texts that originated in ancient India. The Vedas are written in Vedic Sanskrit (oldest layer of Sanskrit literature), and are the oldest scriptures of Hinduism. They are composed of four collections of hymns, detached poetical portions, and ceremonial formulas. They are called Rig – Veda, Sama – Veda, Yajur – Veda, and the Atharva – Veda.
Upanishads
They are philosophical texts of the Hindu religion. There are around 200, the first dozen or so are referred to as principal, main, or old Upanishads. The oldest Upanishads date back to the pre – Buddhist era of India.
Bhagavad Gita
Otherwise simply known as ‘Gita.” The text consists of a conversation between Lord Krishna and Arjuna taking place on the battlefield before the start of the Kurukshetra war. Lord Krishna relays yogic and vedantic philosophies to Arjuna.
Ramayana
Tells the story of a man, Rama whose wife is abducted by the demon king. The story explores the reasons and lessons of human existence and concept of dharma (the principle/law that orders the universe)
Atman
Philosophical term used within Hinduism. Identifies the soul whether in global sense (world's soul) or in individual sense (of a person own soul). It’s the eternal soul with “layers” that one must shed to reach Nirvana.
Avatar
Refers to a descent of a deity (an incarnation of a deva (god) from heaven to earth, or a descent of the Supreme Being, and is mostly translated as “incarnation” in English, but more accurately as "appearance" or "manifestation”
Bhajans
Any type of Indian devotional song. It has no fixed form. It is normally lyrical, expressing love for the Divine. Anecdotes and episodes from scriptures, the teachings of saints and descriptions of gods have all been the subject of Bhajans.
Brahman
Everything and the ultimate reality, encompassing everything we know, nature of Brahman is described as being transpersonal, personal and impersonal by different philosophical schools.
Brahma
Hindu god (deva) of creation and one of the Trimurti
Trimurti
concept in Hinduism where cosmic functions of creation, maintenance, and destruction are personified as Brahma the creator, Vishnu the maintainer or preserver, and Shiva the destroyer or transformer. The three deities also called "the Hindu triad" or the "Great Trinity.”
Vishnu
The preserver and restorer, the creator and destroyer of all existences, one who supports, sustains, and governs Universe
Shiva
God that takes back or destroys, keeps the balance in life ,the Destroyer or transformer of the Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity of the primary aspects of the divine
Darshan
vision from the divine
Gunas
3 qualities of energy
Tamas: dullness/ignorance
Rajas: energy/passion
Sattva
light and clarity, to lead the right path. Living awareness, it’s a term of power due to its purity and meaning and has become the representation for many peaceful social movements, particularly those centered on social justice, environmentalism and vegetarianism.
Guru
has great knowledge, wisdom and authority in a certain area, and who uses it to guide others
Ishta-Devata
the form of God one chooses to worship, is a term stating a worshipper's favorite deity
Krishna
the Deity of enjoyment in life, close to Vishnu like the preserver, worshipped across many traditions in Hinduism in a variety of perspectives. Some traditions recognize Krishna as an avatar of Vishnu, other traditions within Krishnaism consider him to be the Supreme Being.
Rita
Universe is divided into Sat(being) and Asat(non-being). Rita governs Sat
Akriti
Any truth worth setting up as the foundation of your religion, the truth must ultimately come from beyond space and time, and it has to be true forever.
Law of Karma
The belief states that our actions in this life influence our status in our next life, Karma is the law of cause and effect. There are three kinds of karma.
Maya
The deity of illusion that things are not connected. There is no division between all things in the Universe. Everything is one and connected.
Moksha
To free oneself from the cycle of death and rebirth into Nirvana
Murti
refers to an image which expresses a Divine Spirit (murta), means "embodiment.” A murti is a representation of a divinity, made usually of stone, wood, or metal, and is used to worship divinity.
Puja
It’s a religious ritual performed by Hindus as an offering to various deities, distinguished persons, or special guests. It’s done on a variety of occasions and settings, from daily puja done in the home, to temple ceremonies and large festivals.
Samsara
“the continuous flow,” the cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth, (reincarnation).
Smriti
Second source of reference on dharma besides Sruti. Composed after the Vedas and is the reference for traditions of dharma (holy laws of the Universe)
Varna
the name for the original social division of Vedic people into four groups (which are subdivided into thousands of jatis)
Jati
Hindu caste or distinctive social group consisting of thousands throughout India
Yoga
Hindu discipline aimed at training the consciousness to attain a state of spiritual insight. This is achieved 4 different ways.
- Bhakti
o spiritual love and devotion to God. Nothing else matters, and feeling a spiritual connection with God is the goal
- Jnana
o letting go of emotions and thoughts and being able to focus and let go
- Karma
o Union through action. Acting without being attached to the outcome. This sharpens an individual’s actions and decisions.
- Raja
o bringing the mind and emotions into balance, so attention can be focused on the Lord
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Hinduism- Huston Smith
What do People Want?
Throughout life we want different things at different stages. According to Hinduism, there are 4 main things people want.
The first two are titled the Path of Desire.
The first is pleasure. When we begin our life, we take care of ourselves and avoid harm. We seek pleasure and immediate happiness. Hinduism says to go after this and seek what we want. We should follow our desires as long as they don't harm ourselves or others. After we have filled our lives with pleasure, we will find it is too trivial and essentially a private goal. We will want more in our lives.
The second thing we want is worldly success. This is defined as wealth, fame and power. Worldly success is more satisfying to us than immediate pleasure because it is social. The satisfaction from this is much longer than immediate pleasure as well. We need success to support a family and perform our civic duties. Worldly success also supports dignity and self-respect.
Both these wants are acceptable in Hinduism because they are necessary to our deeper understanding of the world. However, they have limitations. Success has the following 4:
1. It does not multiply when shared. Wealth, fame and power must be split, and lessened when shared. However, spirituality multiplies when shared.
2. The drive for success is insatiable. When we have a desire for success or a certain want, we become obsessed with it. Finally, instead of being satisfied when we achieve what we were working for, we become more obsessed with having more.
3. It centers meaning in the self. One person is not big enough for an extensive amount of happiness.
4. Achievements are ephemeral. Our worldly happiness ends when we die. It is not everlasting like spirituality with the soul.
The next two wants are titled the Path of Renunciation.
Renunciation. Renunciation stems from disillusionment and despair. The first meaning of renunciation is that something is not worthwhile to exert one's energy upon, and sacrifice is made. Finally we will begin our search for meaning and value in our lives. This leads to the second meaning of renunciation, which is that of duty.
Duty. In life, we discover that pleasure for just ourselves is not enough. We have a duty to fulfill in society, and to help others. As Huston Smith puts it, we transfer,"the will-to-get into the will-to-give...(19)" We receive longer lasting pleasure from sharing our happiness with others, and extending our pleasure to a larger audience. It brings respect and gratitude from our peers.
What do People Really Want?
The previous wants stated are the desires of all people, however, they will eventually grow tired of these pleasures because they are finite, and last only during this lifetime. We want something on a deeper level. So the question arises, what do we really want?
According to Hinduism, the first thing we really want is being. We want to live so we can experience all life has to offer. We do not want to give up our future and future possibilities.
The second thing we really want is to know. Humans are curious creatures by nature. We always want to know more, and answer all our questions.
The third thing we really want is joy. This is the opposite of despair and sadness, and we seek that which makes us happy.
Overall, what humans really want is liberation from the finite. In Hinduism, the belief is that we want all three of these things infinitely, and we can have them and do have them. This is possible because humans are made of three things: a body, a personality and an Atman-Brahman (infinite soul).
Everything humans want, we can have infinitely through our Atman.
Throughout life we want different things at different stages. According to Hinduism, there are 4 main things people want.
The first two are titled the Path of Desire.
The first is pleasure. When we begin our life, we take care of ourselves and avoid harm. We seek pleasure and immediate happiness. Hinduism says to go after this and seek what we want. We should follow our desires as long as they don't harm ourselves or others. After we have filled our lives with pleasure, we will find it is too trivial and essentially a private goal. We will want more in our lives.
The second thing we want is worldly success. This is defined as wealth, fame and power. Worldly success is more satisfying to us than immediate pleasure because it is social. The satisfaction from this is much longer than immediate pleasure as well. We need success to support a family and perform our civic duties. Worldly success also supports dignity and self-respect.
Both these wants are acceptable in Hinduism because they are necessary to our deeper understanding of the world. However, they have limitations. Success has the following 4:
1. It does not multiply when shared. Wealth, fame and power must be split, and lessened when shared. However, spirituality multiplies when shared.
2. The drive for success is insatiable. When we have a desire for success or a certain want, we become obsessed with it. Finally, instead of being satisfied when we achieve what we were working for, we become more obsessed with having more.
3. It centers meaning in the self. One person is not big enough for an extensive amount of happiness.
4. Achievements are ephemeral. Our worldly happiness ends when we die. It is not everlasting like spirituality with the soul.
The next two wants are titled the Path of Renunciation.
Renunciation. Renunciation stems from disillusionment and despair. The first meaning of renunciation is that something is not worthwhile to exert one's energy upon, and sacrifice is made. Finally we will begin our search for meaning and value in our lives. This leads to the second meaning of renunciation, which is that of duty.
Duty. In life, we discover that pleasure for just ourselves is not enough. We have a duty to fulfill in society, and to help others. As Huston Smith puts it, we transfer,"the will-to-get into the will-to-give...(19)" We receive longer lasting pleasure from sharing our happiness with others, and extending our pleasure to a larger audience. It brings respect and gratitude from our peers.
What do People Really Want?
The previous wants stated are the desires of all people, however, they will eventually grow tired of these pleasures because they are finite, and last only during this lifetime. We want something on a deeper level. So the question arises, what do we really want?
According to Hinduism, the first thing we really want is being. We want to live so we can experience all life has to offer. We do not want to give up our future and future possibilities.
The second thing we really want is to know. Humans are curious creatures by nature. We always want to know more, and answer all our questions.
The third thing we really want is joy. This is the opposite of despair and sadness, and we seek that which makes us happy.
Overall, what humans really want is liberation from the finite. In Hinduism, the belief is that we want all three of these things infinitely, and we can have them and do have them. This is possible because humans are made of three things: a body, a personality and an Atman-Brahman (infinite soul).
Everything humans want, we can have infinitely through our Atman.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Part 5, Islam
Islam Part 5
By Sara
What is the human condition?
-Allah created the earth and humans, so everything is perfect and good
-humans are the only animals with free choice and therefore have more pressure to follow the correct path and be good people. In Islam, being a “good person” means living life by following the five pillars, and always being grateful to Allah for everything one has
-one must surrender to Allah, meaning one must commit to following and listening to Allah. By surrendering to Allah, humans can escape other, evil forms of slavery
- To surrender one must accept the first pillar of Islam, shahada, believing there is one god, Allah and Mohammad is the prophet (there were other prophets before Mohammad, but he is the last).
-there is no original sin, though there is the belief in Ghaflah which is a sin, forgetting your divine origin
-all the basis for Islamic teachings and history is found in the Koran, the Holy Islamic book transcribed from God’s verbal teachings to Mohammad. Another collection of teachings can be found in the Hadiths, Mohammad’s collection of writings. humans learn how to follow the Islamic path in life through the Koran and the Hadiths.
Where are we going?
In Islam, there is a belief in the afterlife, or Akira. Within Akira, there is Jannah, equated to Heaven, and Jahannam, equated to Hell. Both these places are vividly described within the Koran so Islams have more incentive to reach Jannah. When people die in Islam, they must be buried within 5 days of their death, so the soul will be preserved. After a very long time, there will be a Judgment Day where the souls of everyone who died will wake up, and it will feel like an instant since they died. Everyone in the world lines up in a long line and waits for God to read a list of everything they did in their life, and each person gets a chance to explain everything they did. Allah makes a decision on whether the person goes to Jannah or Jahannam and if they get into Jannah, they skip across the bridge over the crevace of Jahannam. If they are sent to Jahannam, they get a chance to redeem themselves, and Allah can pull them out and send them to Jannah. Souls remain in Jannah for eternity, and can remain in Jahamman for eternity as well if they do not improve.
How do we get there?
In Islam, there is a prescribed way of life as stated in the Hadiths and the Koran. The main rules are called the “Five Pillars”
These are:
1. Shahada- believing that there is one god, Allah and Mohammad is his last prophet.
2. Salat- the requirement to pray five times a day, wherever the believer is
3. Zakat- the practice of charitable giving to those in need. It is the responsibility of Muslims to take care of their fellow Muslims. In Islam, it is permitted to be wealthy, but if they are they must give back to those in need. This eliminated inequality and differences of classes. However, having too much wealth can result in one of the seven sins of greed. The wealthier one is, the more of a challenge they have with rejecting greed.
4. Sawm- the requirement to fast. This occurs during the month of Ramadan, and is required for the following reasons:
a. encourages personal experience for empathy of hungry people
b. shows human life in perspective with the eternity of the universe and the everlasting aspect of Allah
c. makes one contemplate and learn about important life lessons
d. learn to control their urges
e. human fragility and their dependence on Allah
5. Hajj- the pilgrimage of Muslims all over the world to Mecca. It occurs during the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijah
a. Represents Mohammad’s initial pilgrimage from Mecca to Medina to become the people’s leader and eventually a force to join rival tribes
b. It worships Abraham because he listened to God’s requests when he told Abraham to kill his only son
It is the duty of all Muslims to follow these five pillars throughout their lives. If Muslims follow these five pillars they will be accepted by Allah into Jannah.
By Sara
What is the human condition?
-Allah created the earth and humans, so everything is perfect and good
-humans are the only animals with free choice and therefore have more pressure to follow the correct path and be good people. In Islam, being a “good person” means living life by following the five pillars, and always being grateful to Allah for everything one has
-one must surrender to Allah, meaning one must commit to following and listening to Allah. By surrendering to Allah, humans can escape other, evil forms of slavery
- To surrender one must accept the first pillar of Islam, shahada, believing there is one god, Allah and Mohammad is the prophet (there were other prophets before Mohammad, but he is the last).
-there is no original sin, though there is the belief in Ghaflah which is a sin, forgetting your divine origin
-all the basis for Islamic teachings and history is found in the Koran, the Holy Islamic book transcribed from God’s verbal teachings to Mohammad. Another collection of teachings can be found in the Hadiths, Mohammad’s collection of writings. humans learn how to follow the Islamic path in life through the Koran and the Hadiths.
Where are we going?
In Islam, there is a belief in the afterlife, or Akira. Within Akira, there is Jannah, equated to Heaven, and Jahannam, equated to Hell. Both these places are vividly described within the Koran so Islams have more incentive to reach Jannah. When people die in Islam, they must be buried within 5 days of their death, so the soul will be preserved. After a very long time, there will be a Judgment Day where the souls of everyone who died will wake up, and it will feel like an instant since they died. Everyone in the world lines up in a long line and waits for God to read a list of everything they did in their life, and each person gets a chance to explain everything they did. Allah makes a decision on whether the person goes to Jannah or Jahannam and if they get into Jannah, they skip across the bridge over the crevace of Jahannam. If they are sent to Jahannam, they get a chance to redeem themselves, and Allah can pull them out and send them to Jannah. Souls remain in Jannah for eternity, and can remain in Jahamman for eternity as well if they do not improve.
How do we get there?
In Islam, there is a prescribed way of life as stated in the Hadiths and the Koran. The main rules are called the “Five Pillars”
These are:
1. Shahada- believing that there is one god, Allah and Mohammad is his last prophet.
2. Salat- the requirement to pray five times a day, wherever the believer is
3. Zakat- the practice of charitable giving to those in need. It is the responsibility of Muslims to take care of their fellow Muslims. In Islam, it is permitted to be wealthy, but if they are they must give back to those in need. This eliminated inequality and differences of classes. However, having too much wealth can result in one of the seven sins of greed. The wealthier one is, the more of a challenge they have with rejecting greed.
4. Sawm- the requirement to fast. This occurs during the month of Ramadan, and is required for the following reasons:
a. encourages personal experience for empathy of hungry people
b. shows human life in perspective with the eternity of the universe and the everlasting aspect of Allah
c. makes one contemplate and learn about important life lessons
d. learn to control their urges
e. human fragility and their dependence on Allah
5. Hajj- the pilgrimage of Muslims all over the world to Mecca. It occurs during the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijah
a. Represents Mohammad’s initial pilgrimage from Mecca to Medina to become the people’s leader and eventually a force to join rival tribes
b. It worships Abraham because he listened to God’s requests when he told Abraham to kill his only son
It is the duty of all Muslims to follow these five pillars throughout their lives. If Muslims follow these five pillars they will be accepted by Allah into Jannah.
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