The One/Brahman/God/Goddess

Permeates all things, including theatman (soul)

Knowledge of the One as means tomoksha (liberation)

Shankara (788-820)

Two levels of knowledge of Brahman

Nirguna Brahman (without qualities)

Saguna Brahman (with qualities)

Shankara’s teaching about maya (illusion):

If one knows saguna Brahman, theworld is real

If one knows nirguna Brahman, onerecognises that the world is anillusory projection upon nirgunaBrahman

Others maintaining distinction between selfand Brahman

Others advocating for own deities, e.g. Vishnu,Shiva, Mahadevi/Devi (incl. Kali, Shakti,Durga)

Varied approaches to divine

The human position:

Tension between dharma (cosmic order)and quest for moksha (liberation)from samsara (cycle of death/rebirth)

Law of karma affecting individualdharma from life to life

The problem of ignorance

Paths of transformation:

Path of Knowledge (jñana-marga, incl.jñana yoga and raja yoga, Smith29-32, 41-50)

Path of Work (karma-marga, incl.karma yoga, Smith 37-41)

Path of Devotion (bhakti-marga, incl.bhakti yoga, Smith 32-36)

Puja: worship of deity in templeor home

Pregnancy: “Parting of the hair”

Naming ritual about 10 days after birth

First haircut at about 3 years old, leavingsacred tuft

Initiation for upper-caste boys (c. 8-12),also puberty-initiation rites for girlsin some traditions

Hindu weddings

Usually arranged, but not forced

At bride’s house

Ceremonies including:

Seizing the bride’s hand

Bride placing foot on grindstone

Knotting garments together

Seven steps around fire

Groom touching bride over heart, puttingcosmetic on forehead

Observing Pole Star

Hindu funerals

Preparing the body

Procession

Cremation

Taking the remains to River Ganges

Later rituals

Hindu dietary laws

Often vegetarian

Sacred cows

Virtue of ahimsa (non-violence), e.g. Gandhi

Samnyasin (renouncer)

Renouncing possessions, caste, friends,family

Quest for moksha (liberation)