HINDUISM

THE SANATANA DHARMA or THE ETERNAL RELIGION

• It is believed as one of the oldest religions in the world
• The beginnings of Hinduism date as far back as 1500BCE
• It has significantly transformed into the religious system complete with theology, philosophical schools, and devotional
practices that we know today.
• The name “Hinduism” is itself relatively recent: the term was introduced by Persians in the 9th century BCE to refer to people
residing near and beyond the eastern side of the Sindhu (Indus) River.
• British colonial rulers continued using the term “Hindu” to refer to populations in India who were neither Christian or Muslim.
• Hinduism is a religion of the Dharma, which is timeless and order of all life.
• According to Hindu belief and practice, it is what holds the universe together, and it means “duty”, “correct practice” and
“truth.”
• It is all encompassing: it covers cosmic, personal, and social orders of one’s life.
• Dharma makes Hinduism more a religion of action rather than a religion of belief.
• A significant portion of the Hindu Scriptures called the Vedas emphasize the cultivation of virtues according to the person’s
standing in society.
• Hinduism was able to preserve important teachings in sacred writings that contain foundational elements of doctrine, morality
and worship.
• Vedas sacred writings, for which reason Hinduism is also referred to as Vaidika Dharma or “Religion of the Vedas”
• the term ‘veda’ in Sanskrit means ‘knowledge’, and have already been committed to memory by sages and passed on to
disciples before they were recorded in writing.

There are two types of scriptures in Hindu tradition

1. Shruti Scripture – meaning ‘that which is heard’, which contains the fundamental elements of Hindu philosophy and morality.
The Shruti scriptures, which are primarily the four Vedas are considered to be of divine origin as revealed to the sages
(called rishis) who received these truths through deep meditation.

Each of the four Vedas are further subdivided into four types of religious literature:
a. Samhitas, hymns dedicated to gods and godesses;
b. Brahmanas, explications of the samhitas and other ritual acts performed by priests;
c. Aranyakas, philosophical interpretations of ritual acts; and
d. Upanishads, explanation of general philosophical knowledge.

2. The Smriti – meaning “that which is remembered” are considered secondary scriptures and mostly contain stories and advice from
sages. Unlike the Shruti, the Smriti are considered to be of human origin.

The Smriti scriptures include the following:

a. Mahabhrata, an epic poem is fifteen times longer than the Bible, it narrates the story of an ongoing war among family
members. It highlights the importance of virtues and devotion to the gods, particularly to Krishna;
b. Ramayana, a shorter epic poem about kingship and royal virtues. It tells the story of the battles that Rama had to fight in
order to save his wife Sita from the demon Ravana. It is one of the epics that depict the battle between good and evil;
c. Dharma Shastras, legal treatises that emphasize the importance of practicing virtue
d. d. Bhagavad Gita, meaning ‘Song of the Lord,’ is actually one of the books in Mahabrata. It is considered by many Hindus as
an important religious text that extols the power and benevolence of Krishna and his instructions to Arjuna; and
e. e. Puranas, these are stories that depict the sectarian divisions within Hinduism. There are multiple creation stories, legends,
and war stories by different Hindu sects.

Three highest deities who fulfill different functions in the universe

Trimurthi (Trinity)
1. Brahma – Creator
2. Vishnu – the preserver
3. Shiva – the destroyer
Each of these deities have their own goddess consorts, who are also worshipped by devotees
• Sarasawati – the goddess of speech, is to Brahma
 • Lakshmi – the goddess of wealth is to Vishnu
• Parvati – usually worshipped as the Mother Goddess, is to Shiva.
• Despite the multiplicity of deities in Hindu pantheon, the Vedas say that all deities or gods are ultimately manifestations of
one Divine Principle.
• According to the Upanishads, this Divine Principle is referred to as the Brahman, or Absolute (not to be confused with the
Brahma, the creator deity).
• The Brahman is the eternal, uncreated and all-pervasive Reality that has no form, and keeps the universe in existence.
A permanent Self(soul): Atman
• Hinduism believes in the Doctrine of the Atman, which claims there is a ‘soul’ (called atman) in each and every living
creature.
• In conventional sense, it is the atman that assumes a physical body (through reincarnation ) depending on the merits of ones
deeds. It is the atman that transfers (or transmigrates) during death and rebirth so that one’s present life in the earthly realm
is connected to all previous lives until liberation is reached.
• Atman is the ‘innermost self’ it is what makes them alive.
• The atman is connected to the Brahman.
• The Brahman-atman points to the fundamental link that all beings have with the Absolute.
KARMA, SAMSARA, and MOKSA
• KARMA – Sanskrit, it simply means ‘action’, or the consequence of ones action.
• The law of karma is closely involved with the Hindu doctrine of reincarnation. Hinduism believes that when one person dies,
a person is reborn as another being in the future.
• The determining factor that decides the state of the person’s rebirth is his/her actions. An individual who commits good
deeds, follows the teachings, and is devoted to his/her duties will be born in higher states or higher castes, while the
individual who neglects his/her duties, commits evil acts, and disobeys Vedic teachings is reborn in lower castes.
• Reincarnation happens when the atman(soul) leaves its material receptacle(body) and finds another material receptacle to
reside on in another life cycle. This process of transferring is called transmigration of soul.
• The atman transfers into another material receptacle, another cycle of life is started, which will repeat itself again and again.
• This cycle(sometimes called wheel) of birth-death-rebirth is called samsara. An atman that has not achieved the sufficient
level of enlightenment and detachment form material goods and pleasures will reborn again and again in the different
material receptacles.
• The goal of spiritual practice is to end this cycle and stop the wheel of samsara.
• Is the end of the samsara possible?
• According to Hindu beliefs, it is possible.
• Moksha - it is the end of the seemingly never-ending cycle of birth, death and rebirth.
• If moksha is achieved, the atman does not look for material receptacle to reside on and unites with the Brahman-atman, the
principle of all life in the universe.

THE CASTE SYSTEM

• The traditional social structure that closely follows Hindu principle of Karma and Samsara is called the CASTE SYSTEM.
• It is from Portuguese origin, which means ‘chaste’ or ‘pure’.
• The Portuguese who colonized certain parts of India observed that Indians had a system of segregating themselves from
others who came from different families or occupations.
Jati’ – a social rank one receives upon birth.
• There are four main jatis in different varnas (social group) arranged from highest to lowest:
1. Brahmins
2. Kshatriyas
3. Vaisyhas
4. Shudras
Brahmins
• They are the highest in hierarchy and are perceived as the purest among all castes.
• They serve as ritual experts or priests who officiate temple worship.
• The also handle sacred writings the Vedas and study them extensively.
Kshatriyas
• They consist of political rulers and warriors.
• They are those who administer justice and defend the territory against invaders.
Vaishyas
• They are the economic specialists and merchants.
• They are responsible for producing food and other goods and exchanging them in the markets for everyone’s benefit.
Shudras
• They consist of manual laborers.
• They are considered impure because of the nature of their job, which are usually trash collectors, embalmers, or undertakers
(those working in the graveyard)
• They became known as ‘the untouchables’ because of their association with the impure or dirty stuffs.

What is Buddhism?
o 2,500 year old religion that began when Siddhartha Gotama (Gautama) was enlightened
o 300 million people in the world are Buddhist
o Buddhism explains a purpose to life, explains injustice, suffering, pain and provides a code of practice that leads to
true happiness.
o Also a philosophy or way of life for those who follow the Buddhist path of:
1. leading a moral life
2. being mindful and aware of thoughts and actions
3. developing wisdom and understanding

Who was the Buddha?

o A man named Siddhartha Gotama born in 563 BC, in the area now know as Nepal
o Born into a Royal family, grew up with riches, luxuries, never exposed to death, disease, poverty or hardship
o Ventured outside the palace and discovered immeasurable human suffering and became dedicated to finding the
answer for how to overcome human suffering.
o Began to meditate until the answers came to him
* conquered all temptations
* found the "middle path" of enlightenment
o Spent rest of his life teaching the principals of Buddhism called the Dhamma- or truth

What did the Buddha Teach? – basic concepts

A. The Four Noble Truths
1. Life is suffering
2. Suffering is caused by craving
3. Suffering can be overcome and happiness achieved
4. The Noble Eightfold path is the path that leads to the end of suffering
B. Eightfold Path
* Being Moral
* Develop Wisdom- focus on the mind and being aware through meditation
* This will lead to having compassion for others

C. The Five Precepts – The moral code of Buddhism

1. Not to take a living life
2. Not to take anything not freely given
3. To abstain from sexual misconduct and overindulgence
4. To refrain from untrue speech
5. Avoid intoxication or losing mindfulness

What is the goal of Buddhism?

= Reaching Nirvana
o Achieving the highest realm of existence
o Nirvana means the cessation of passion, ignorance and aggression
o The cessation of the willingness to prove one's existence in the world
o Absolving the mind of wants, speculation and entertainment and being absorbed in the current moment (awareness)
Important Points about Buddhism
o There is no savoir or almighty God, liberation of the self is the responsibility of the individual (self-cultivation)
o The Buddha is seen as a "teacher" or "guide" not a God
o The teachings of Dhamma Truths exists regardless of whether or not there is a Buddha
o Re-birth and Karma are key doctrines of Buddhism
o No holy-war concept
o Vegetarianism is recommended
o There is no "hell" but 6 realms of existence, "Samsara" being the most undesirable
o A belief in endless rounds of rebirth among the six realms that ends when one attains nirvana
o The idea of sin has no place in Buddhism