hinduism & jainism. percentage of hindus in world today
TRANSCRIPT
The Evolution of Hinduism
The roots of Hinduism are diverse, and
yet have given life to two other religions:
Jainism and Buddhism.
Indus Valley Roots of Hinduism:
concern for social order:
-where lived based on
occupation
Reconstruction of Mohenjo-Daro
Indus Valley Roots of Hinduism
ritual bathing-center of city was open-
air “pool temple” run by priests
Great Bath, Mohenjodaro
Bathing in the Ganges
Aryan Roots of Hinduism:
cattle worship-herdsmen :. valued cattle
-socio-economic status based on cattle
-sacrifices to gods (cattle, horses, goats, sheep, grain)
Jaisalmer:Desert Temple in the heart of Thar Desert
Aryan Roots of Hinduism:
Vedic gods(devas)
-worshiped through rituals and sacrifices
Brahma, Siva, Vishnu(Hoysaleswara Temple, Halebid)
Aryan Roots of Hinduism:
The Vedas(“knowledge”)
-instructions on how to support,
enliven, and nourish the Vedic
gods
The Vedas
Aryan Roots of Hinduism:
Mantras-sacred utterances
of utmost importance to
ritual
“Om”The sound of the universe
Aryan Roots of Hinduism:
Sanskrit-ancient language of India
“Aryan” -> “Erin” -> “Iran”“naus” -> “nautical” -> “navigation”
“deva” -> “divine”
Sanskrit alphabet
Aryan Roots of Hinduism:
“creator god”(Brahma)
-spiritual core of:templetowncountryuniverseall devas
Brahma “God”
Where did I come from?Where did I come from?
Aryan Roots of Hinduism:Atman
(the transcendental essence of human life) – “the soul” Brahma = Atman
If Brahma is not a “god”, what exactly is Brahma?!
If Brahma is not a “god”, what exactly is Brahma?!
What is the nature of the universe?What is the nature of the universe?
What is the nature of “god”
and my existence?
What is the nature of “god”
and my existence?
moksha
maya
samsara
the release from the human condition that prevents the union between Brahma and Atman
the illusionary condition of everyday existence
the cycle of birth and death that makes up our physical existence(Hindu idea of reincarnation as it is written in the Upanishads)
What am I supposed to do here?What am I supposed to do here?
dharma
one's righteous duty or virtuous path
To answer the question:
Live a life that promises worldly joys and heavenly happiness. a.k.a… Do the right thing!
But what IS the “right
thing?!
But what IS the “right
thing?!
Doing the right thing is a combination of social obligations and ethics… so just follow your dharma and obey the Vedas.
Aryan Roots of Hinduism:
Brahmins– priests
-the gatekeepers to Vedic rituals
-knew mantras and ceremonies
-were the spiritual philosophers and
guides
Brahmin priests (today) practicing ancient Vedic rituals
How and why should I obey the Vedas?!How and why should I obey the Vedas?!
Aryan Roots of Hinduism:
Upanishads-priests started to ponder
the purpose and meaning of the Vedas-through spiritual
philosophy, they introduced new
concepts
Oh wait, I get it! It’s like good vs. evil!
Oh wait, I get it! It’s like good vs. evil!
karma
the ongoing influence of past actions on the future
Vedic priests explained the reason for following one’s obligations to his or her dharma and the sacred texts as “karma”.
NO! Karma is not about what is “good” vs “bad”. It is about what is “right” vs “wrong” according to your position in society and the Vedic teachings.
Wait… why should I bother following my dharma and the sacred texts?!
Wait… why should I bother following my dharma and the sacred texts?!
According to the Vedic priests, it is the only way to break the cycle of samara (reincarnation).It is the only way to have one’s atman reunite with Brahma.
Aryan Roots of Hinduism:Caste
– socio-economic class system-adhere to the social expectations, and cultural and religious obligations of your
role in society
Lakshmi: (caste goddess)Goddess of wealth and success
How do I know what my dharma is?How do I know what my dharma is?
Caste provides:-identity for individual within social group and in society at large-regulations on ritual, food, occupation, marriage, responsibilities to other castes
“Peacefulness, self-control, austerity, purity, tolerance, honesty, knowledge, wisdom and religiousness—these are the natural qualities by which the brahmin’s work.Heroism, power, determination, resourcefulness, courage in battle, generosity and leadership are the natural qualities of work for the kshatriya. Farming, cow protection and business are the natural work for the vaishya, and for the sudra there is labor and service to others.By following his qualities of work, every man can become perfect…By worship of the Lord, who is the source of all beings and who is all-pervading, a man can attain perfection through performing his own work.” (BG 18:41-44)
This is explained in the Bhagavad Gita:
Untouchables?!Untouchables?!
These are people who live outside of the caste system and are to avoid contact with other Hindus inside the caste system. To Hindus, people who are born into this class have failed to live up to their dharma or violated marriage rules in a previous life. They are believed to be "untouchable" because they are so spiritually impure that they could contaminate a caste member’s karma.
Traditionally, they are responsible for “dirty” jobs: street cleaners, latrine cleaners, scavengers, leather tanners, cremators, butchers, etc. Because they are not admitted into Hindu temples, they have formed religious sects of their own.
After India became an independent nation in 1947, its new constitution in 1950 outlawed the practice of "untouchability." The constitution also established affirmative action programs to ensure that the scheduled castes would have access to higher education and better jobs. These clauses guarantee that a certain percentage of university and job openings will be assigned to disadvantaged groups. Because of these programs, there has been some improvement in the socio-economic mobility of untouchables, or as they are now commonly referred to as “scheduled castes” or “scheduled tribes.” Sometimes they are even referred to as “dahlit” or “suppressed.”
Unfortunately, no.There are 2800 castes in India today:
1677 castes are considered suppressed groups, with varying degrees of spiritual impurity.
They make up about 60% of India’s populationDalits, at the very bottom, make up 16-25% of the population (125-300 million men, women, and children).90% of the poor and 95% of the illiterates are Dalits.
They suffer trafficking and human slavery, areshunned charity, are discriminated against in the education system, and are constantly under threat of physical violence, especially in rural villages where the caste system is the main form of
government.
So then if untouchability is illegal and there are laws in place to help and protect
suppressed groups, then it doesn’t really exist anymore, right?
So then if untouchability is illegal and there are laws in place to help and protect
suppressed groups, then it doesn’t really exist anymore, right?
How is this system held in place?What is used to justify this system?
How is this system held in place?What is used to justify this system?
religion spiritual philosophy
-authority of the Brahmins-varnashrama-dharma
-brahma-atman-karma
-samsara-caste dharma
Challenging caste dharma impacts your karma which can lengthen your samsara and prevent your atman from becoming reunited with brahma.
Personal ReflectionVarnashrama can be seen as a basis for categorizing diversity in human society. It can also be seen as the basis for inequality, since each group has its own rights and responsibilities.
1. Do natural classifications exist and can they be useful? Or are they all merely man-made and exploitative?
2. Is it advantageous to divide society according to each person's natural tendency for a particular type of work?
3. Is it advantageous to form educational, political, trade, or labor associations or guilds for co-operative and mutual support?
4. How does SHS apply varnashrama-dharma principles? In other words, are there any categorizing of individuals and are there specific rules and responsibilities for each of these groups?
Yoga
• Restraint: nonviolence, speaking truth, no stealing, celibacy, lack of greed
• Discipline: cleanliness, serenity, devotion to god
• Posture: controlled, comfortable firm yoga poses
• Breath Control: mind can be controlled by breath
• Withdrawal of the Five Senses: as yogini enters into deeper awareness, witness loss of five senses as mind retreats into the body
Yoga
• Concentration: as yogini enters deeper awareness, mind becomes increasingly focused and concentrated
• Meditation: uninterrupted flow of awareness
• Absorption/Union: 1. awareness of self and surroundings has vanished2. then attain perfect consciousness—there is nothing left
to reflect in the mind.The mind has been released!