The document provides an overview of some of the key foundations and concepts in Hinduism, including its origins in the Indus Valley civilization and Vedic traditions. It discusses concepts like dharma, karma, samsara, the four paths of yoga (karma, jnana, raja, and bhakti), and the Upanishadic idea of Brahman as the ultimate impersonal reality and Atman as the soul. The Vedas and Upanishads are also summarized as some of the earliest Hindu scriptures containing hymns, rituals, and spiritual teachings.

1. Sanatana Dhar ma
The Eternal Religion
(aka: Hinduism)
Foundations

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