Don Honorio Ventura State University

Senior High School

CHAPTER 5:
HINDUISM
Leader:
Morales, Rinoa M.
Members:
Bacani, Alyssa Rose
Castro, Aliah G.
Gainsan, Jigger D.
Ricafort, Angelica Rose R.
Velasquez, Kengi Meths
Grade 11 - HUMSS A

Submitted to:
Mrs. Paz P. Lacap
Morales, Rinoa M.

Grade 11 - HUMSS A

CHAPTER 5: HINDUISM

Hinduism

• It is a major religious and cultural tradition of South Asia, which developed from

Vedic religion.

-is an Indian religion and dharma, or way of life that is widely practised in the Indian

subcontinent and parts of Southeast Asia.

- has been called the oldest religion in the world and some practitioners and scholars

refer to it as Sanātana Dharma, "the eternal tradition", or the "eternal way", beyond

human history.

- Scholars regard Hinduism as a fusion or synthesis of various Indian cultures and

traditions, with diverse roots and no founder.

-This "Hindu synthesis" started to develop between 500 BCE and 300 CE, after the

end of the Vedic period (1500 to 500 BCE), and flourished in the medieval period, with

the decline of Buddhism in India.

• Hinduism is the third largest polytheistic religion in the world, as well as the world's

oldest. Although Hindus believe in one God, Brahman, the Hindu faith has different

gods that represent Brahman's different forms.

• Interesting Hinduism Facts: The word Hindu originates from the Indian Indus River.
• Hinduism is a religion with various Gods and Goddesses. According to Hinduism,

three Gods rule the world. Brahma: the creator; Vishnu: the preserver and Shiva: the

destroyer. Lord Vishnu did his job of preserving the world by incarnating himself in

different forms at times of crisis.

Brahma

• Brahma is the Hindu Creator God. He is also known as the Grandfather and as a

later equivalent of Prajapati, the primeval First God. In early Hindu sources such as

the Mahabharata, Brahma is supreme in the triad of great Hindu Gods which includes

Shiva and Vishnu.

Vishnu

• Vishnu is the Second God in the Hindu Triumvirate (or Trimurti). The triumvirate

consists of three Gods Who are responsible for the creation , up keep and destruction

of the world. • Vishnu's worshipers, usually called Vaishnava him the greatest.

Shiva

• Shiva is the third God in the Hindu triumvirate. The triumvirate consists of three

Gods who are responsible for the creation up keep and destruction of the world.

The Triumvirate

• The three Lords that rule the world have consorts and they are goddesses too.

Consort of Brahma is Sarasvati; goddess of learning. Vishnu's consort is Lakshmi;

goddess of wealth and prosperity. Shiva's consort is Parvati who is worshipped as

Kali or Durga.Hinduism
• Besides these Gods and Goddesses there are a number of other Gods and

Goddesses. To name a few of them, there is Ganesh; who has an elephant's head

and he is also a son of Shiva and Parvati, Hanuman; who is an ape, Surya; Lord of

sun, Ganga Ma; Goddess of river Ganges; Samundra; Lord of the sea, Indra; king of

the Gods ( but he isn't an important God), Prithvi; Goddess of earth, Shakti; Goddess

of strength. The Hindus call their Goddesses 'Ma' meaning mother. Some gods have

more than one name. Shiva is also known as Shankar, Mahadev, Natraj, Mahesh and

many other names. Ganesh is also called Ganpati.

Core Beliefs of Hindus

• Truth is eternal. Hindus pursue knowledge and understanding of the Truth: the very

essence of the universe and the only Reality.

• Brahman is Truth and Reality.

• The Vedas are the ultimate authority.

• Everyone should strive to achieve dharma.

• Individual souls are immortal.

• The goal of the individual soul is moksha.

The Meaning of Life According to Hinduism• According to Hinduism, the meaning

(purpose) of life is four-fold: to achieve Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha. The first,

dharma, means to act virtuously and righteously. That is, it means to act morally and

ethically throughout one's life.

33 Million Gods
• The 33 Million Gods of Hinduism. Why Hindus worship so many gods and

goddesses is a real mystery for most people. In the West, where the mass majority of

people are part of the Abrahamic faith tradition with one God, the concept of

polytheism is nothing more than fantasy or mythology worthy of comic book material.

4 Major Yoga In Hinduism

1.Raja Yoga- the path of physical and pyschic practice. Raja Yoga consists of doing

bobily exercise and the most well know outside India. A yogi(the practioner of yoga)

engaged in this type resorts to asanas, posture of are meant to purify the body and

achive physical balance. Prana(invisible physical energy) chakras(energy center) the

most common mantra is the Om.

2.Jnana Yoga- The path of the rational mind and concentration., jnana yoga consist of

doing meditative practices that aim to clear the mind of impurities and attain a rational

and calm disposition. A yogi engaged in this type sees ignorance as the most

probamatic of human problem, the cause of which are blocks in the mind that hinder

the individual from cultivating insights.

3.Karma Yoga- the path of action in the world karma yoga appeals to people who

have a strong desire to work for society its expecting if you do good deads you must

not expect something in return.

4.Bhakti Yoga- the path of devotion one of the most popular form of yoga practice in

hindus in India its a deep practice of showing love and devotion to divine ainly

expresses through ritual acts such as puja (offering).

-Minansa- is a school in hinduism concers the proper interpretation of righteouse

actions .
-Vaisheshila- a school resonates most strongly with an atomistic view of reality which

similar to westet science expanation on how atoms form pat of anything in the

universe.

-Nyaya- is a school that most concerned with logic and establishment of truth.

-Vedanta- the school is the establishment in hindu thought.

LORD BRAHMA

-The Hindu Creator God.

-was born from the Lotus Navel of Lord Vishnu.

-also known as the Grandfather and later equivalent of PRAJAPATI the first primeval first

God.

•PRAJAPATI•

-Prajapati ( sanskrit is a compound of "praja" means (creation, procreative, powers) and "pati"

(lord master). The term means lord of creatures", or lord of all beings",. In the later Vedic

texts, Prajapati is a distinct vedict deity, but whose significance diminishes.

-WHY DOES BRAHMA HAVE 4 HEADS AND 4 ARMS?

-Brahma has 4 heads and its believed that from these heads came four the Vedas ( the most

ancient religious texts for Hindus). Some also believed that the caste system, or four varnas

came from different part of Brahma's body. He has four arms and is usually depicted with a

bread.

-WHAT IS VEDAS?
-Are a large body of religious texts originating in ancient India. Composed in vedic sanskrit the

text constitute the oldest layer of Sanskrit literature and the oldest scriptures of Hiduism.

Hindus consider the Vedas to be apaureseya which means "not of a man" superhuman and

impersonal authorless.

-PARTS OF VEDAS

•RIGVEDA- praise of GODS

•SAMVEDA- origin of music-sabda Brahma nad Brahma

•YAJURVEDA- vedas worship

•ATHARVAVEDA- various branches of science, ayurved economics including vedic math.

-BRAHMA 4 HANDS REPRESENTS

•1st Brahma holds the VEDAS in one hand.

•2nd a WATER POT

•3rd LOTUS FLOWER

•4th ROSARY/MELA BEADS

-BRAHMA AND THE ORIGIN CASTE

•Brahmins- priests and teachers

•Kshatriyas- warriors and rulers

•Vaishyas- farmers, traders and merchants

•Shudras- Labourers

•Dalits (outcastes)- street sweepers, latrine cleaners.

-SARASWATI
-Is the Hindu goddess of knowledge, music, art, wisdom and learning.

- She is a part of trinity (tridevi) of Saraswati, Lakshmi and Parvati.

-All the three forms help the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva to create, maintain and

regenerate the Universe, respectedly.

-When shown with 4 hands those hands symbolically mirror her husband Brahma's 4 heads,

representing manas (mind,sense), buddhi ( intellect, reasoning), citta (imagination, creativity)

and ahamkara (self conciousness, ego) represents action and reality.

-LORD VISHNU

-One of the most important Gods in Hindu pantheon and along with Brahma and Shiva, is

considered as a member of the Holy trinity (trimurti) of hinduism.

-He is the most important God of Vaishnaism, the largest hindu sect.

-In some accounts, another wife of Vishnu's is Bhumi Devi (Goddes of ther Earth)

-VISHNU 4 HANDS REPRESENTS

-he holds a Padma (Lotus Flower) in his lower left hand.

-Kaumodaki Gada (Mace) in his lower right hand.

-Pachajanya Shanka (Conch) in his upper left hand.

-Shudarshana Chakra (Discuss) in his upper right hand.

-LAKSHMI

-Is the consort of the God Vishnu

-She is one of the most popular Goddesses of Hindu mythology and is known as the Goddess

of Wealth and Purity.

-Lakshmi is considered another aspect of the same supreme goddesses principle in the

Shaktism tradition of Hinduism.

-Her iconography shows her with 4 hands, which represents the 4 goals of human life

considered important to the Hindu way of life: dharma, kāma, artha, and moksha.

-The lotus keeps smiling on surface of water. Its origin in mud, deep underwater but its

flowering is above the water surface. Detachment and evolution os the message of this poetic

symbol. The owl sitting on the left side of Lakshmi, where gold coins are falling represents the

darkness.

-BHUMI DEVI

-PADMAVATI is the Hindu Avatar of Goddess Lakshmi representing Mother Earth. She is the

consort of the boar God Varaha, an Avatar of Vishnu.

-Bhumi Devi is the daugter of Prajapati.

-LORD SHIVA

-Shiva is one of the 3 Major Gods.

-Shiva is known as the Destroyer God because he removes all the evil from the world.

-His wife is the Goddess Parvati.

-According to Hindu legend, he has a blue neck because he swallowed a poison in order to

save the universe.

-SATI

-The first wife of Shiva

-She is known as Dāksāyanī Telugu.

-Sati is the Goddess of marital felicity and longetivity in Hinduism.

-An aspect of Adi Parashakti, Dakshayani is the first consort of Shiva, the second being

Parvati whos is the Reincarnation of Sati.

-PARVATI

-Second wife of Shiva.

-The protector, the destroyer, (of evil) regenerator of the universe and all life.

-She is the daughter of Mountain King Himavan and Queen Mena.

-Parvati is the mother of hindu deities Ganesha, Kartikeya, Ashokasundari. Parvati.

-Is the Hindu Goddess of fertility, love, beauty, marriage, children and devotion as well as of

divine strenght and power.

-According to Hinduism and Hindu mythology, Parvati is the wife of Shiva. But whe she sits

by the side of her husband Shiva, Parvati, has only two arms. In her form with two arms,

Parvati holds her right hand up in blessing and holds a Lotus Flower in her left hand.Parvatis

conveyance (vahana) is a lion or tiger.

-WHY DOES PARVATI ONLY HAVE 2 HANDS WHEN SHE SHITS WITH HIS HUSBAND

SHIVA?

-Shiva represent contrasting values both lust and purity, peace and destruction. When

depicted together with his wife, Parvati, he represent the union of male and female and

marital fidelity.
Ricafort, Angelica Rose R.

Grade 11 - HUMSS A

KARMA, SAMSARA, AND MOKSHA

KARMA

- It is a Sanskrit word which means "action".

- means the consequences of one's action not necessarily means misfortune or bad

luck.

Law of Karma

- The person's actions in the present will have consequences, and thus will shape the

person's future.

Determining Factors that Decides the State of the Person's Rebirth

• An individual who commits good deeds, follows the teaching and is devoted to

his/her duties will go to the higher states or higher castes.

• An individual who neglects his/her duties, commits evil acts and disobeys Vedic

teaching is reborn in lower realms or lower castes.

SAMSARA

- It is the wheel or cycle of birth-death-rebirth.

- Reincarnation happens when the ātman (soul) leaves its material receptacle (body)

and finds another matetial receptacle to reside on another cycle which will repeat

again and again until the ātman has achieved the sufficient level of enlightenment and

detachment.

- Goal of Spritiual Practice: To stop the wheel or end the cycle of samsara.

- Transmigration of Soul: the process of transferring.

MOKSHA

- An experience to end of the wheel of samsara.

Brahman-ātman

- The principle of all life in the universe.

- Brahman is the Truth and Reality. It cannot be described. It can only be

experienced.

- Atman is the individual soul and it is part of Brahman. When a person dies, it does

not disappear unless if moksha is achieved.

- There is an illusion of separation between the atman and Brahman but if moksha is

achieved, the atman does not look for a material receptacle to reside on and unites

with Brahman-ātman.
 THE CASTE SYSTEM

CASTE SYSTEM

- It is a social classification system that determines one's rank on the basis of the

family's occupation that originated in India.

- One of the important foundations in organizing the Indian society because it is the

basis of order and regularity of society.

- It came from the Portuguese word "chaste" which means "pure".

- The Portuguese who colonized certain parts of India observed that Indians have a

system of segregating themselves from others who comes from different families and

occupations.

- The caste system is taken seriously by most Indians that they will not consider

marriage with someone from the lower caste because of their low status in society

and perceived ritual impurity.

JATI

- The term that the Indian used which means a social rank one receive upon birth.

Four Main Jatis in Different Varnas

1. Brahmins

- It is the highest in the hierarchy and perceived to be the purest among all castes.

- Consists of ritual experts and priests who officiate temple worships.

2. Kshatriyas
- Consists of political rulers and warriors, those who administer justice and defend the

territory against invaders.

3. Vaishyas

- The third caste which consists of economic specialist and merchants that are

responsible for the production and distribution of goods.

4. Shudras

- Consists of manual laborers.

- They are considered impure because of the nature of their job which are usually

trash collectors, embalmers or undertakers.

- Also known as "The Untouchables" because of their association with impure and

dirty stuff.

Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948)

- Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi is his full name.

- One of the most severe vocal critic and social activist of the caste system who

claims that it is unjust and tramples a person's human rights.

- Gandhi called Shudras as the harijans, or "Children of God".

- In 1948, the newly enacted Indian Constitution abolished the Caste System. It

influences, however, it is still pervasive and is still used to determine social rank, and

prestige up to the present day.

THE PUJA

PUJA
- Most common way to express worship to deities.

- It consists of offering materials goods and ritual acts to the altar of a god or goddess.

- The performance varies according to local custom, the capabilities of the worshipers

and types of offerings. It can be done at home or at the temple.

- Puja is the important dimension of the religious life of most Hindus. It is their way of

communicating to the Divine.

- Role of Brahmin as a ritual expert: He guarantees the ritual purity of the offering

because he is the purest of all castes.

Darshan

- It is the goal of puja.

- Where the devotee "exchange glances" with the deity.

- It is an intimate encounter between the devotee, and gods and goddesses wherein

they respond by sanctifying food ritually offered by the devotee which becomes the

prasad. Prasad is the sanctified food that the devotee received from the deities.

THE FESTIVALS

FESTIVALS

- Closely associated with puja are festivals. Hindus celebrate in honor of major deities

and during certain times of year.

- Hindu calendar is based on the lunar cycle and most of the dates of the festivals are

not fixed.

Few Most Popular Festivals Because of Their Connection to the Deities:

1. Divali (Deepavali or Diwali)

- It is the festival of lights.

- Some regions in India celebrate it as the beginning of the New Year and usually

lasts for five days.

- It honors the return of Rama and Sita to their home kingdom Ayodhya after the epic

battle with the demon Ravana. And also honors the goddess Lakshmi, consort of god

Vishnu.

- In a celebration to it, houses are usually lit with lamps to honor the victory of light

over darkness.

Sources:

Page 77 to 81 in Chapter 5: Hinduism from the book Introduction to World Religions

and Belief Systems by Jayeel Serrano Cornelio, Mark Joseph T. Calano, Manuel

Victor J. Sapitula

Hinduism Introduction: Core Ideas of Brahman, Atman, Samsara and Moksha |

History by Khan Academy, https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/ap-world-

history/ap-ancient-medieval/ap-hinduism/a/early-hinduism-lesson-summary
Velasquez, Kengi Meths M.

Grade 11- HUMSS A

World Religion

2. Holi- the festival of spring and colors. During thois festival, devotees would drench

themselves and others with water and would spray colorful powder to celebrate the

end of winter and the return of spring. In some of region in india, the holi is associated

with the God karishna. Holi as the time to forgive past faults and start a new with

relationship with family and friends.

3. Dussehra- closely associated with Divali, celebrates the actual victory of Rama

over the demon Ravan. In some areas in india, this celebrations continues to the

festival of Navatri, the festival of dance, in honor of the goddes Durga.

4. Makara Sankranti- festival of the harvest, celebrated every january 14, this is the

only festival of hinduism that follows the solar calendar.

5. Lohari- A midwinter festival, celebrates the symbolic shunning of evil. Devotees

would light bonfires, and would throw nuts, sesame, and popcorn on them to

symbolize rejection of evils.

6. Krishna janmaashtani- a celebration of the birth of krishna, a popular god of hindus.

7. Maha shivaratri- the great night of shiva, devotees fast overnight in order to earn

the god's favor. Celebrate by merriment and partaking of food.

8. Ganesh chaturthi- a celebration of the birth of Ganesh, a god who is represented

as an elephant.
9. Guru purnima- the festival one's teacher, a devotees honors his/her Guru (teacher)

yearly by offering puja. This is also celebrated Budhist to honor Buddha. Hindus honor

the birth of the sage vysa, who authored the Mahabharata.

10. Kumbha Mela- The largest hindu festival in the world, celebrates the saraswati

river of enlightenment, joining together of Ganges and Jumna rivers.

The Hare Krishna

(official name: international society for krishna consciousness or iskon)

-is a hindu movement that was founded by his devine grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta

swami sarila prablhupada in new york. He also founded in gurukala.

-The word "karishna," wich is the name of hindu diety, means "the name of the

supreme"

While "Rama" means "the highest eternal pleasure"

And "Hare" is chanted to call on the energies from karishna.

-Hare karishnas are strict vegitarians; they do not eat any meat products, fish and

eggs. They also do not consume alcoholic products, cigarettes, and even coffee.

Followers of movement also refrain from any illicit sexual intercourse, believing that

any kind of illicit sex leads to enslavement of the will and illusions.

-Hare karishnas are active in philippines.

They have temples in makati city, metro manila, and alaminos, laguna.

The Rise of Vedic Religion and Brahmanism

-Forms of religion occured from around 1500 B.C.E. to around 500 C.E. at around

1500 B.C.E. the Aryan people, settlers from the central asia. As compared to the

inhabitants of Mohenjo- Daro and Harappa who were urban dweller, Arayans were

seminomadic. The Aryans spoke a language nearly similar to Sanskrit. It was during

the rise of the aryan civilization that the vedas, written in Sanskrit, were codified. The

Aryan's mostly male pantheon (India the sky God , agni to the god of fire, and soma

the god of plants). This is the beginning of the Brahmis. The last part of the Vedas, the

Upanishads, was written toward the close of this period. The Upanishads are also

called the Vedanta, thenend of the Vedas.

Swami Vivekananda (1863-1902)

-where as Buddhism has Siddharta Gautana, Christianity has Jesus Christ, and islam

has Muhammad. In fact, it has produced a number of teacher thoughout the ages.

Swami (meaning religious teacher or sage) Vivekananda was born Narendra Nath

Datta in Kolkata, India on January 12, 1863. His parents were Viswannath Data and

Bhuvaneswari Devi. Promoting hindu spirituality outside india is his attendance in the

parliament of the world's religions in chicago in 1893 as the representative of

hinduism.

Pre- Vedic Beginnings

-unlike other world religions that have a founding figure, the development of what is

now called "hinduism" spans centuries and does not have an identifiable founder. The

beginnings of hinduism go back to at 6500 B.C.E. in the indus valley. By around 2500

B.C.E., an expansive civilization flourished in the cities of Mohenjo- Daro and

Harappa.
Castro, Aliah G.

Grade 11 - HUMSS A

THE CLASSICAL PERIOD

The classical period between (ca 500 BCE- 600 BCE) of Indian Hinduism was marked

by transition from religion Veda to form of Hinduism.

Wherein the time of exchanging of religion from Veda to Hinduism religion.

Veda means an old piece of a rock and they called it “Vedic Period”

In Hinduism there was no founder or a leader they’re just combined their beliefs and

practices.

This is the most dynamic period in the development of Hinduism as a religion.

In this period these is the most active or were the Hinduism religion change the most

because this period brought about the “rise of devotional literature” and It’s important

because it shift Hindu worship from Brahmanical practices and sacrifices towards

strong feelings of love and devotion to the deities.

Vishnu and Shiva- brought about the rise devotional and literature addressed to

deities.

Vedas are the large body of the religious text originating in ancient India. The period

when Vedas were composed became known as the “Vedic Period”, and the Hinduism

has no one foundation is instead a fusion various beliefs.

Mahabharata and Ramayana

Since this period involved with the literature the Mahabharata and Ramayana are the

longest epic in Hinduism.

These epics ope vedic teachings to ordinary people,most of whom cannot access the

vedas because of the nature of their occupation.

These epics are sometimes the basis of hindu festivals:the festival of holi,for

instance,is inspired by the triumph of good ever evil as narrated in the Ramayana.

King Aschoka he is the king of the Mauryan Empire, India

And cucumber particularly an upper hand in north India

THE MEDIEVAL PERIOD

This is rise of Islam in 7th century brought about changes in the political landscape of

the area which saw the increasing influence of Islamic empire .Mughal changed the

Indian landscape with their beautiful architectural landmarks In Kashmir, Delhi and

Agra.Taj Mahal was built from Shah Jahan’s,This period also saw the rise of

Sikhism,the combination of Hinduism and islam.Sikhism was founded by Guru Nanak

Dev Ji in 1500 CE.

This period is where the Muslim religion begins to recognize.

This period also was the Sikhism Religion began which is the combination of the

Hinduism and Islam.

Guru Nanak Dev ji was the leader of Sikhism.

Mughal is the one who change a landscape and turned it to a beautiful landmark in

Kashmir.

Taj Mahal- considered as one of the wonders of the world for its beauty and

architectural style.

Hinduism adhered to a strict monotheism and the repulsion to the use of images in

worship.

THE MODERN PERIOD

After the Muslim the rule Indian found themselves subject to British rule which

spanned from 1787 to 1947 British brought with than modern education and
established school universities. In this time encountered the universalic orientation of

Christianity which beliefs the universal salvation offered by Christ.

This period where the British invade the Indians in the year of 1757 to 1947. They

teach them and implement modern education and they build a school for them.

They’re also introducing Christianity to them, and some of them become Christians.

MAIN SCHOOL THOUGHT:

Hinduism is quite complex because multiplicity and variety are the norm. Unlike in

monotheistic religious that have one God, One book, and one community.

Unlike in the other religions Hinduism is too broad in terms of their beliefs and

practices since they have a lot of gods and goddesses.

SAMKHYA

Is a school one of the 6 traditional schools. The Samkhya school explain that there

are two fundamental principle in the universe, the purusha(person)and prakti

(nature)it is also known as a school of yoga.

Samkhya adopts a consistent dualism of matter (prakiti) and the eternal spirit

(purusha). The 2 are originally separate, but in the course of evolution purusha

mistakenly identifies itself with aspects of prokriti. Right knowledge consists of the

ability of purusha to distinguish itself from prakiti.

YOGA

Is a group of physical, mental and spiritual practices or disciplines and it helps to

achieve a healthy lifestyle.

Is an aerobic exercise which is helping to have a healthy lifestyle and not just in

physical, cognitive and specially in spiritual health.

Gainsan, Jigger D.

Grade 11 - HUMSS A

YOGA Practices

• Yoga is a practice which is characterized by spiritual, virtue and joy Yoga enablean

individual to his/her sathvic/sattvic qualities and escape the influence of raja and

tawa/tama.

There are 4 Main Yoga in Hinduism

Raja Yoga

• The path of physical and psychic practices.

• Raja Yoga consist of bodily exercises and most well known outside India. A Yogi(the

practioner) engage in this type resorts to asana, posture, that meant to purify the

body. Om is a very simple sound with a complex meaning. It is the whole universe

coalesced into a single word, representing the union of mind, body, and spirit that is at

the heart of yoga.

Jnana Yoga

• Jñāna yoga, also known as Jnanamarga, is one of the several spiritual paths in

Hinduism that emphasizes the "path of knowledge",] also known as the "path of self-

realization". It is one of the three classical paths (margas) for moksha (salvation,

liberation). The other two are karma yoga (path of action, karmamarga) and bhakti

yoga (path of loving devotion to a personal god, bhaktimarga). Later, new movements

within Hinduism added raja yoga as a fourth spiritual path, but it is not universally

accepted as distinct from the other three.

Bhakti Yoga

• Bhakti yoga, also called Bhakti marga (literally the path of Bhakti), is a spiritual path

or spiritual practice within Hinduism focused on loving devotion towards a personal

god.It is one of the paths in the spiritual practices of Hindus, others being Jnana yoga

and Karma yoga. The tradition has ancient roots. Bhakti is mentioned in the

Shvetashvatara Upanishad where it simply means participation, devotion and love for

any endeavor. Bhakti yoga as one of three spiritual paths for salvation is discussed in

depth by the Bhagavad Gita.

Karma Yoga

• Karma yoga, also called Karma marga, is one of the four spiritual paths in Hinduism,

one based on the "yoga of action".To a karma yogi, right work done well is a form of

prayer. It is one of the paths in the spiritual practices of Hindus, others being Raja

yoga, Jnana yoga (path of knowledge) and Bhakti yoga (path of loving devotion to a

personal god). The three paths are not mutually exclusive in Hinduism, but the relative

emphasis between Karma yoga, Jnana yoga and Bhakti yoga varies by the individual.
Bacani, Alyssa Rose

Grade 11- HUMSS A

The Globalization of Hinduism

• At present, Hinduism has reached India and has established itself in various parts of

the world. One of the places that saw spread of Buddhism is Southeast Asia.

Archeological evidence shows that the ancient kingdoms of Angkor (Cambodia),

Ayutthaya (Thailand) and Mon and Pagan (Myanmar) have Hindu influences that

mixed with Buddhism and indigenous beliefs. In the modern period, the colonial

expansion of the British in Malaysia and Singapore became the conduit for the

migration if Indian populations in these countries. Hinduism underwent changes as it

took root in the other territories. Muneeswaran in Singapore and Malaysia the only

minor deity in India (Sinha 2005). Muneeswaran is a guardian deity and is not even

worshipped in Hindu temples in India, but attracted the migrant population of Hindus

in Singapore and Malaysia. Another case is the transformation of Hinduism in the

Carribean, particularly, Trinidad and Tobago. According to Steven Vertovec(1994),

Hinduism adapted Carribean realities by developing an “official” and “popular”

versions that are similar to the divisions in Catholic religiosity. The distinction

between “official” and “popular”is unknown in India.

The Hindu presence became significant in the United States, because of the

pioneering efforts of Swami Vivekanada toward the ends of 20th century C.E.

• Hindu practices are quite diverse in the United States, having the most number of

Hindus outside India, which has estimated of 2.25 million believers.

• One of the widespread movements is transcendental meditation (TM), founded by

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. It became popular in Europe and the United States when a

lot of Westerners were searching for alternative spiritualities outside their Christian

upbringing. TM was also controversial because it guaranteed a better lifestyle, more

energy in workplace, and even a deterrent for crime. Hindu-inspired movements

spread to other countries as alternative spiritualities that catered to people’s hunger

for new ways of exercising their religiosity. According to Pew Research Center, there

are approximately one billion Hindus in the world today, altogether making up 15% of

the world’s population. 94% of Hindus live in India, while for other continents Hindus

make up at most 1% of the population. After India, Nepal and Bangladesh have the

most number of Hindus, with 2.3% and 1.3% of the world’s Hindus residing there.

Nepal has the most number of Hindus, with 80.7% of its population, adhering to the

religion. Followed by India (79.5%), Sri Lanka (13.6%) and Bangladesh (9.1%).

• Hindus in the Philippines make up less than 1% of the population since the 1948

census. Hinduism made inroads in the Philippines with the arrival of Indians brought

by the British during their brief control of Manila in 1762 to 1764.

• These Indians called sepoys from Madras, settled here and intermarried with locals

and converted to Catholicism. They are mostly concentrated in Cainta, Rizal. The few

who remained Hindu make up the Hindu population in the country, including Indian

immigrants and high salaried professionals. At present, Hindu organizations promote

the religion among Filipinos.