2. uty
Et ics
Natural L w
Transcendental ealization
Cos ic Order
Soci l Welfare
3. The roots of Hinduism
Harappan Civilization:
Indus river valley archeological ruins
At least 4500 years old
The Great Pool
4. Ancient Images still a
part of Hinduism today
(from the Harappan civilization)
Prefiguring Shiva Lingams
5. The roots of Hinduism
The Aryan Invasion Theory:
Outside invaders
enter India from
the northwest
Beginning 4000
years ago
Bringing their
culture & religion
with them
A hotly debated theory!
6. The Vedic Tradition
Elements presumed to be of Aryan
influence that continue to be a part of
Hinduism today:
Sanskrit language
Vedic texts (composed in Sanskrit)
Patriarchal rule
Social class distinctions (caste) & the role of
the priests (Brahmins)
Rituals & the Fire Sacrifice
7. The Vedas
First written around 1500 BCE
but composed and transmitted
orally long before then
“Heard” (shruti) by ancient sages
Four parts, developed over time:
Samhitas: hymns of praise in worship of deities (Rig
Veda is oldest)
Brahmanas: directions for priestly performance of
rituals
Aranyakas: “forest books” written by hermits
Upanishads: metaphysical teachings of spiritual
masters (Vedanta: the end of the Vedas)
(composed 600-400 BCE)
8. The Fire Sacrifice
Burnt offerings made to the gods through
Agni (ignite), the god of fire
performed by the brahmin (priest),
Maintaining the cosmic order
through recreation of the original sacrifice
made by the gods to create this universe
Purusha: the primal being dismembered
by the gods out of which all was created
(Rig Veda 10.90)
9. Philosophy of the
Upanishads
Spiritual instruction, focused on inner
experience, as a path to realization and
immortality
Brahman: The transcendent, all pervading,
infinite and everlasting Ultimate Reality
Atman: that Reality as it is found within
ourselves – our soul is one with the “soul” of
the universe
10. Reincarnation
Samsara: continual cycle
of birth-life-death-rebirth
Into any life form – human
or animal
Only human rebirth
affords the soul the
opportunity to advance
toward the goal of
liberation from this cycle =
moksha
11. Karma
Consequences of our actions
In this life and beyond – carried over to
our future lives
The law of cause and effect:
Past actions affect our present life
Present actions affect our future life
Good deeds good karma good experiences
Bad deeds bad karma bad experiences
Karma keeps samsara going
12. Yoga - T he Paths to
Moksha
Moksha: ultimate goal is to eliminate karma so
as to be liberated from Samsara – the
limitations of space, time and matter
Yoga: The path to Union with the divine
Four options:
Raja Yoga – the path of meditation
Jnana Yoga – the path of knowledge
Karma Yoga – the path of selfless action
Bhakti Yoga – the path of loving devotion to god
13. Review Activities
The Vedic Tradition
Upanishadic Metaphysics
Yoga
Access these and other review activities at:
http://www.nvcc.edu/home/lshulman/religions/H
14. IDENTIFY these terms
1. The people who invaded India a. Aryans
bringing their Vedic sacrificial
religion with them b. Atman
2. The cycle of birth, life, death and
rebirth as well as the realm of c. Brahman
space and time wherein this takes
place d. Moksha
3. Release (liberation) from this cycle
4. The true essence of the human e. Samsara
self, identified with Brahman
5. The impersonal Ultimate Reality in
Hindu philosophy
15. The oldest of Indian
sacred texts is:
a. Upanishads
b. Rig Veda
c. Adi Granth
d. Bhagavad Gita
16. Do you know the
difference between...
1. Brahma a. The creator god of the
Hindu pantheon
2. Brahman b. The priestly caste of Hindu
society
3. Brahmin c. Collection of early sacred
texts
4. Brahmana d. The impersonal ultimate
reality of Hindu
metaphysical philosophy
17. MATCH the yogas:
1. Karma a) The path of knowledge
2. Jnana b) The path of devotion
3. Raja c) The path of meditation
4. Bhakti d) The path of selfless action