HINDUISM

Historical basis of Hinduism:

  • Hinduism does not have a founder.
  • Its origins can be traced back as far as 3500 B.C.E, the date given for the civilisation of the IndusValley.
  • ‘Hindu’ derives from the word ‘Sindu”, the word the Persians gave to the IndusRiver.
  • This civilisation included a religion that centred on the worship of fertility gods and goddesses.
  • In 1500 B.C.E, the nomadic tribal group, the Aryans invaded India. They brought with them the worshipping of nature gods, an economic system based on cattle and the symbol of good luck and auspiciousness, the ‘svastika’.
  • The two beliefs began to fuse and this led to the development of Hinduism.
  • This was conveyed through the scriptures of the Aryans- the Vedas (more of which will be discussed later).Beliefs of the Indus people have been determined through archaeological finds.
  • The Aryans, now with adopted Indus beliefs, extended their settlements toward the GangesRiver. By 1000 B.C.E, the Aryan culture had become predominant in northern India.
  • Even with India under Muslim and British rules, it did little to affect the grassroots level on traditional Hindu society. Nothing was able to threaten its stability.
  • However, Hinduism has undergone many adjustments and changes.
  • During the period from 500 B.C.E to 500 C.E saw the establishment in India of classical Hinduism (also known as Brahminical Hinduism). Hindu society was under threat from invader and breakaway cults such as Buddhism, Brahmins (the priestly aristocracy) asserted their authority as sole guardians of the faith. They established a sense of religious orthodoxy- a right way for Hindus to conduct their lives. They also imposed a keen sense of social order.
  • During this period a caste system was developed, which is one of Hindu’s most distinctive features. Also during this time, there was a decline in the Vedic cult of Hinduism.
  • Classical Hinduism became the basis of modern Hinduism.
  • The British rule of India lasted from 1757 till 1947.
  • India encountered Christianity, Western technologyand ideas about societyand education. This led to reforms within Hinduism, inspired by Ram Mohan Roy, Mahatma Gandhi and others. Hinduism was returned to the purity of the Vedas.
  • Mahatma Gandhi, known for his non-violent protest against British rule believed and promoted the principle that God is also present in wrongdoers, and that believers should seek to awaken that inner voice in their oppressors.
  • Today, Hinduism continues to evolve, a trend the Hindu political party tries to prevent and control.

The extent of Hinduism in the World today

  • Hinduism is the belief system of approximately 85% of Indian people.
  • Due to migration, one can refer to the spread of Hinduism globally. There are approximately 863 million followers worldwide.
  • Most Hindus are found in the South East Asia region: India (810 million), Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
  • Hindus are also found in many parts of the world where people of Indian ancestry have migrated or traded.
  • Hindu ideas have had a worldwide impact since the 1800s, when transcendentalists Ralph Emerson and Henry Thoreau, who brought the ideas to America.
  • During the 1960’s many Hindu ideas and practices had a large impact upon the counterculture (a social movement of people who follow lifestyles that are alternative to the norm).
  • The movement was popularised by The Beatles
  • Also, many Indian gurus came to the west and brought their ideas with them. For example, A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami founded Hare Krishna in the United States in 1966. This branch of Hinduism emphasises the worship of Krishna (god of all the people) rather than Vishnu (preserver of world order). Followers vow to observe the principle of Krishna consciousness: abstinence from meat, fish, eggs and alcohol. They avoid sexual relations except in marriage and there is no gambling. They also have daily sessions of chanting and reading from the works of Hare Krishna’s founder.
  • It was the influx of Hindu teachers and ideas during the 1960s and 70s that contributed to ‘global Hinduism’.
  • Elements of Hindu culture- yoga, gurus, teachings, dance and music- have been exported to the West, where they have gained popularity. These have also become popular within India.

Sacred texts of Hinduism

  • There are two main types of scripture: sruti and smriti.
  • Sruti are the revealed scriptures of divine origin- Vedas.
  • The Vedas are four collections of sacred hymns and were revealed directly by spoken word in Ancient times. The four collections correspond to the four stages of the life cycle and provide the scriptural foundation of their faith.
  • The ideas that evolved in the belief system of classical Hinduism had their origins in the Vedas.
  • The Vedas portray an understanding of the universe as existing on three levels: the lowest is the earthly realm, where humans and animals live; then the atmosphere where bids fly; and above the sky is the heavenly realm, where the gods live with the dead.
  • The Vedas also contain the Hinduconceptsofdharma, the principle of right living, and Brahman, the universal spirit.
  • Smriti are secondary scriptures and are more commonly known by Hindu peoples.

What do Hindus believe?

The Hindu concept of God

  • Hindu’s perceive that humans and God are one.
  • “There is one God but many gods”- while believing there is only one supreme God (Brahman), Hindus may worship any number of subordinate gods or spiritual powers (regarded as manifestations of the one God, who each have specialised functions).
  • Hindus personalise Brahman, the universal spirit, in a variety of forms (eg: gods and goddesses).
  • At the head of the Hindu pantheon is the Trimurti: the trinity of Brahma (the creator), Vishnu (the preserver) and Shiva (the destroyer and regenerator).
  • Krishna (an incarnation of Vishnu) is the source of all, both good and evil.
  • Moksa is the final goal for Hindus, to be freed from the cycle of rebirth, through good karma, and to become one with God.
  • Belies that Hindus hold in common:

-the spiritual direction contained in the scriptures are considered the ultimate authority

-Brahman is one, although his spirit has many names and forms.

-All of creation is tied to the cycle of reincarnation (samsara), according to past actions and thoughts (karma).

-The path of yoga united the individual with Brahman. This practice can lead a Hindu towards moksa (freedom from the cycle of samsara).

Symbolism in Hinduism

  • Symbols are important ways of approaching Brahman, because he has no form.
  • Omis both a visual and an aural symbol of representing Brahman. This symbol encompasses the whole universe.
  • It represents the sense of Hindu ideology and is used in meditation, prayer and yoga and even when Brahman enters and individual’s thoughts.
  • It can be spelt aum:

-A represents beginning

-U represents progress

-M represents dissolution

  • Its shape represents God’s power, which is responsible for the creation, development and dissolution of the universe.
  • Two groups, the Saivites and Vaisnavites, followers of Siva and Vishnu respectively, are identifies by a symbolic mark on their forehead known as tilak.
  • A vertical line indicates Vaisnavite and a horizontal line, a Saivite.
  • Tilak also represents a Hindu who has received a blessing after praying,
  • The bindi (round mark) signifies a third eye where people focus their gaze to assist meditation. Also used as decoration in modern times.
  • Nandi- the bull on which Siva rides. Represents virility and strength. Any product that comes from a cow is considered sacred and purifying.
  • Cow- a sacred animal. They are descendants of the celestial cow Kanadhenv. To present a cow as a gift is worthy but to kill one is a sin.
  • Lotus- a flower that represents the universe rising out of the primeval waters and manifesting itself in all its glory. Also represents the Sun.
  • Svastika- svasti means auspiciousness. It is a symbol of good luck and favour. Also represents the world wheel, eternally changing and revolving around the unchanging God centre. Hindus believe this symbol provides protection against evil spirits.

Important Places in Hinduism

  • The GangesRiver
  • Rivers are perceived as the givers of life and agents of fertility, they became known as tirahas (holy places) because they are the bridge between heaven and earth.
  • The most important festival that takes place on the Ganges occurs ever twelve years and attracts millions of people from all over the world is called the Maha Kumbh Mela (great container of celebration). The month long celebration represents a time when the river is believed to turn into purifying nectar, allowing the pilgrims to cleanse their souls as they bathe. This festival is celebrated by everyone regardless of class, creed or religion.
  • There is a myth explaining the origins of the Maha Kumbh Mela. Thousands of years ago gods and demons agreed to work together in order to obtain the nectar of immortality, and to share it equally. However when the pot containing the nectar appeared, the demons ran away with the pot and were chased by the gods. This resulted in a great war between the demons and gods. This Hindu myth says that during the battle four drops fell of the nectar fell where the festival Maha Kumbh Mela is now held: Allahabad, Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nasik.
  • The Hindu devotees believe that at the Maha Kumbh Mela they will receive special blessing, make a mends for the past actions or cure and illness.
  • The people also believe that the GangesRiver may liberate their soul from the cycle of reincarnation. People tend to bring the sick and dying to this river for this reason and many Hindus wish to have their ashes sprinkled on the Ganges.
  • Other sacred places that people visit are associated with a particular god. Foer example people go to the city of Ayodhya (birthplace of the god Rama) or visit important temples dedicated to specific gods and goddesses, such as the KaliTemple in Calcutta.
  • Contemporary problems have caused disbelief in the Hindu people. The pollution in the GangesRiver, contradicts the belief that the river is for purification.

Temples and Shrines

  • Hindus worship in temples or shrines. After the Brahmin priests perform heir special functions at temples or shrines the Hindu worshipers will make offering to the temple god or gods. These consist of flowers, vegetarian food or money, this is done with intention to receive blessings from the gods, accumulate good karma or fulfilling a vow.
  • The ritual of worship can take place in a Hindus home before the house hold icon, in either a separate room or in the kitchen, which is considered to be the purest room in the house. Hindus often take the deity’s blessing in the form of a mark of sandalwood paste or turmeric powder on the forehead. In addition to this incense must be lit.
  • In the temple or shrine the ritual of worship is performed behind a curtain or the inner part of the shrine or temple, away from the view of ordinary Hindu. When the priests finish their part of the ritual, the curtain will be drawn of the priests emerge from the inner sanctum. The devotees will then receive a vision of the deity. In the final part the priests wave their lamps in a circular motion before the icons. The priests will take the lamps to the devotees, who cup their hands over the flames and touch their eyes and faces, bringing the light and warmth of the deity to themselves. The devotees accept the turmeric powder or sandalwood paste to mark their foreheads and thus the ritual is complete. The devotees walk away with blessed food to be eaten later.

Continuity: the role of tradition and cultural heritage:

  • Hinduism can be described as a philosophy or ‘way of life’ rather than a religion.
  • Aspects such as work and family life are inseparable from the Hindu religion (contrasted against western society)

Dharma:

  • The concept of dharma pervades the lives of Hindus
  • For the cosmos to operate harmoniously, each individual has certain obligations and duties that must be observed.
  • Hindu’s duties and obligations are tied to their class (varna) and their life stage (asrama).
  • Dharma is the source of moral law
  • One must follow a pattern of ideal behaviour with moral, social, and ritual obligations.
  • Dharma determines custom made sets of rules for each individual.
  • To fulfil ones dharmic duty is to love true to one’s rightful place within the universe- an individual demonstrates devotion to God.
  • Failure to keep to the right path may generate bad karma and jeopardise moksa.
  • Bhagavad-Gita: doing the work natural to one’s self, on incurs no guilt.

Class and caste:

  • Varna is one of the enduring features that have withstood the immensechanges that India has undergone.
  • Caste affects what occupation Hindus follow, their choice of marriage partners, what food they must eat and others.
  • Each person has innate qualities (gunas) which predetermine the class they belong to, according to karma- each person gets to experience each varnastage in some lifetime.
  • Four varnas:

-Brahmins: teachers and priests

-Ksatriyas: warriors, nobles and kings

-Vaishyas:commoners- farmers, businessmen

-Shudras: servants and labourers

  • Other category: ‘untouchables’ their work was considered dirty and spiritually polluting, this group had to live in special districts
  • Today, castes are explained:

-Brahmins: priests and may have government jobs

-Other upper castes: business people and landowners

-Lower castes (37%): labourers and temple servants

-Dalits- untouchables, waste disposal burning the dead.

  • Hindus believe they can be polluted by eating food cooked by the lower caste or drinking the same water.
  • Jatis represent a proliferation of social groups from within the Varna system.

Role of the Government:

  • Modern India: government attempts to crates a fairer society by providing public education and equality of opportunity, has undermined the traditional caste system.
  • Discrimination based on class/caste is illegal- feelings associated with belonging to a certain caste still remain.
  • As an affirmative action strategy: the government reserves jobs for members of the lower class. This causes conflict with upper castes.
  • In more westernised cities, eating together and social mixing is normal.

Continuity:

  • Caste still remains important in rural areas, especially concerning marriage.
  • Heredity and religion teaching has enabled the class(varna) and caste(jati) system to survive.
  • Endogamy is still observed during matchmaking for marriages- marrying someone within ones birth group.

Five daily Duties of a Hindu:

  • As well as attending to the duties associated with work and stage in life, a Hindu must perform pancha maha yagnas(five daily duties).
  • If performed correctly, they will provide guidance in everyday life and bring peace and prosperity. And good karma!
  1. Worship God in the form of family deity in the home shrine through prayers and meditation. Creates sense of togetherness and person becomes God conscious.
  2. Study the Vedas and other sacred scripts. Acquires knowledge.
  3. Contemplates the teachings of holy persons and the family’s forebears. Preserves family values.
  4. Provide food for those in need.
  5. Serve guests with love, respect and reverence. Embodies traditional hospitality expected of Hindu.

The Epics:

  • The great epics poems- the Ramayana and the Mahabharata- are aspects of tradition that play and important role in teaching the truths associated with Hinduism.
  • Presented through the mediums of text, film, theatre, dance and television.
  • They convey the values and norms Hindu peoples should embrace.
  • The Ramayana tells a story of Prince Rama rescuing his wife Sita from Hanuman, the Monkey King.
  • It was written as a religious and ethical code of conduct for Hindus, conveying the values of nobility, faithfulness, loyalty, devotion, love and respect.

Sadhus and sadhvis:

  • An example of individual persons; life being influenced by the traditions of Hinduism.
  • These holy persons renounce worldly life order in order to achieve salvation (forth stage life – Upanishad).
  • They choose to live a life alone on the edge of society, beside banks of holy rivers or in the wilderness. They where only ochre robes or are naked.

Gender roles within Hinduism: