BRAHMAN (MONISM): ALL REALITY IS ULTIMATELY ONE!

Hinduism

Hinduism in Canada

• The world is home to over 900 million Hindus.• Most live in India, but large numbers live in Nepal, Bangladesh,

Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia.• Hinduism has spread with immigration to Canada and other countries.• It is the third largest religion in the world, after Christianity and Islam.• In Canada, the Hindu population is about 297 200, or just under 1%.

– This makes Hinduism Canada’s fourth most followed religion, after Christianity (76%), Islam (2%), and Judaism (1.1%).

• The majority of Hindus in Canada were born elsewhere.• Most live in Ontario, Québec, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan.• Hinduism is a tradition that means many things and has many variations.

– It is not a unified, centralized religion like Roman Catholicism.– It has no formal church and no single authority.– It has no founder and no fixed doctrines.

OriginsVeda: First Phase

IN 1500 BCE, groups from Central Asia or Europe known as the Aryans came in to the Indus valley and brought with them their religion that was combined with that of the people who were there before.

Hinduism was used a term used by the British to identify all the different religions in India that weren’t Christian, Buddhist or Muslim

Their philosophy and rituals were written in texts called the Veda.

These are considered the earliest Hindu scriptures Hinduism has over 330 million Gods

OriginsUpanishads: Second Phase

The second phase of the evolution of Hinduism began with the sacred writings known as the Upanishads (which means to “sit before a teacher”)

They are teachings on the meanings of the VedasIt marks the beginning of a new focus. No longer

did they focus on the gods of nature but on an inner focus.

It focused on the sacred truth behind all appearances, the one reality….

BRAHMAN

Four key concepts of human nature

Samsara: The endless cycle of birth, death and rebirth

Karma: Our actions govern the cycle of death and rebirth

Dharma: The law of right action in any lifetime (our duty or path)

Moksha: Liberation from samsara and the illusion (Maya) of this world

Brahman is AtmanAtman is Brahman

Atman: Is the Hindu equivalent of our soul. It is the only REAL part of us. Therefore it is the connection to Brahman. In fact it is Brahman since Brahman is the only reality.

Hindus describe Brahman as

“Neti, Neti”Meaning: Not this, not this

GodsThe Triad

Brahma: The creator of the universeHas four faces and is seated on a lotusHolds a book, a rosary and a gourdHis female counterpart is Saraswati:

Goddess of learning and the artsShe holds a book and a musical instrumentSits on a peacock or swan

Triad continued

Vishnu: The preserver of the universeA loving and forgiving figureHas four arms holding a conch shell, a discus,

a lotus and a maceHe rides on an eagleHas many avatars (he has come as a human)His companion is Lakshmi: Goddess of wealth

and happinessHolds gold coinsOften surrounded by elephants

Triad continued….

Shiva: The destroyer god he holds a trident, a rosary and a gourd in his hands, he rides a bull

He is also depicted as the god of the dance called

Nataraj who holds a drum, serpent and a sacred fire in his hands while performing the dance of creation

Holds water from the river Ganges in his hair

Shiva’s complicated wife

Shiva’s wife is Parvati also known as Shakti or female energy

She takes on many forms including Durga: “the unapproachable” she is the warrior goddess

Devi: “the goddess "and Kali “The Black One” the destroyer.

Other Gods

Ganesh: is the son of Shiva and ParvatiHe has the head of an elephant with only one

tuskHis other tusk is used as a pen for writing

wise sayings from scripturesHe is the remover of all obstacles

Hanuman

He is the monkey god a model of devotion and everyone’s protector

Avatars

Avatars: Incarnations of gods (Gods coming as humans)

The two most important avatars of Vishnu areRama and Krishna

Important Poems

RamayanaWritten around 1500 CEContains 24000 verses and is the story of

RamaRama’s wife Sita is abducted by RavanaRama beats Ravana in battle with the help of

Hanuman and he and his wife live happily ever after

Poems continued

MahabharataThe longest poem in the world at 100 000

versesProbably compiled between 400 BCE and 400

CEIt is the story of the Pandavas (the good guys)And the Kauravas (the bad guys)In the end the good guys win and rule for

many years

Bhagavad-Gita

A very important component of the Mahabharata

Is considered by some to be the Hindu BibleIs in the form of a dialogue between Krishna

and his friend Arjuna

Salvation: Moksha

“How do I get out of Here?”For Hindus There are many ways or Paths to

Salvation so that there is hope for all!Let us examine the 4 ways or paths to

Salvation

Paths to salvation

#1The Path of DevotionA simple path which involves devotion to a

personal deity as well asPuja: Acts of worship and offerings paid to a

god or goddess

Paths…..

#2Path of ActionTo do good deeds, to follow one’s dharmaTo live in harmony with the Eternal Dharma

or design of thingsIt is from this path that the caste system gets

its strong following

Paths…..

#3Path of WisdomThis is a much more difficult path that is for

those who like philosophyFollowers learn about the relationship

between the Brahman and atman And the nature of the universe

Paths…..

#4The Path of MeditationWhat is involved here is meditation and deep

contemplation on BrahmanLeads to a trance-like stateIf one can get in to this state they can acquire

knowledge of the TruthThey can become one with Brahman

The Caste System

The Caste System

• In traditional Hindu society, all life was arranged as a hierarchy.

• Performing good deeds and following the assigned code of behaviour determined whether people earned the right to be reborn at a higher level.

• These beliefs were expressed in Hindu society’s division into castes.

• Roles, jobs, social standing, and religious structures were organized according to the hierarchy of castes.

• The caste system is said to have come to ancient India around 1500 BCE with the Aryans, however, this caste system is not part of the philosophy of Hinduism.

• Following one’s dharma means strictly following the rules of caste.

• Acting above one’s caste is ignoring dharma and generates bad karma.

• Today in India, discrimination based on caste or occupation is illegal, but some division among caste lines remains.

• Many Hindu teachers argue that the Hindu sacred writings never intended the social and occupational discrimination of the caste system.

Caste system continued

1. Brahmins: they are the priestly caste. They are well educated and considered the highest caste. They are the Hindu intellectuals.

2. Kshatriya: they are the warrior class. They are also the political leaders and police. They are courageous, and strong in governing

3. Vaishya: they are the merchants and farmers. They are also the entrepreneurs of the society (in modern day, the middle class)

4. Sudras: they are the servants and labourers. They must serve the top three above.

5. Untouchables (or Outcastes): Because of their jobs they are considered so low, you do not associate with them at all. They often times are the poorest of the poor. Gandhi called them Harijans (children of God)

The Four Hindu Stages of life

1. Student: Duty is to gain knowledge, learn rules and rituals of Hinduism and show respect for elders

2. Householder: Time to get married, have children and provide for one’s family. Also, must give to those in need and practice faith

3. Forest Dweller: This stage is traditionally marked by the birth of the first grandchild. The person at this stage, goes on a spiritual quest, leaving behind all worldly bonds

4. Sannyasin (or ascetic): this stage is for those forest dwellers who are able to enter society again but detached from all that is normal life. They even give up their names and their past. If a person can reach this level, they are often called Mahatma (meaning great soul). It is only from this level that one can achieve Moksha after death.

The Four goals of life

1. Kama: Sensual pleasure. This is seen as a good not a bad, but it is the lowest goal and a true sign one is not prepared for a “higher” life let alone Moksha. One is truly caught up in the illusion of the world.

2. Artha: Material Success. This is the desire for power and praise from others. At this stage there is the need to be the boss, to be popular, to be “rich and famous”. Again, this is seen as fine but a lower goal. It is higher than Kama because it is a little less self centered but again shows an attachment to the illusion.

3. Dharma: To conduct one’s duty with compassion toward all beings. A higher goal because of the true concern for others. There is a starting to understand the “silliness” of being concerned with self…..illusion

4. Moksha: To want to achieve liberation from the world that is Maya (illusion)

Women in Hinduism

Traditionally a woman’s role was to follow her husband (her dharma is to be obedient to her husband and follow his lead).

Divorce is frowned upon.An ancient practice was Sati: where a wife’s

responsibility was to jump on the funeral pyre of her husband’s

This practice has been outlawed for close to 100 years in India but there are still examples of it taking place in some of the small villages from time to time

Symbols in Hinduism

OHM

The Ohm represents creation and is also a Mantra(repeated chant) which is used to help one focus on Brahman; The ultimate reality.

Swastika

The Swastika is a Hindu symbol for Good Luck!

Holy Cow

Hindus see the cow as “a manifestation of all that is good and precious”

They have put the cow in a place of importance for the following reasons;

1. Milk2. Transportation3. Farming4. Many uses of manure

Bonus Assignment

For 25 marks Knowledge and 25 marks Communication In complete sentences/paragraph form work on and

hand in by the end of class on Thursday Oct. 8 the following questions from the Hinduism Chapter.

Page 120: 1,2Page 129: 1,2,5Page 136: 2,4Page 139: 2Page 140: 3Page 143: 2Page 147: 4Page 151: 1

Festivals

Diwali (or Divali): The Hindu festival of lights is the religion’s most popular holiday. Celebrated over five days at the end of October or the beginning of November. Hindus set off fireworks, decorate their houses with lights, give gifts and wear new clothes to celebrate the triumph of good and knowledge over the dark forces of evil and ignorance.

Festivals continued

HoliIt is a spring festival that takes place

sometime in MarchHindus of all ages join in the merriment of

squirting coloured water on friends and family members.

They eat sweets and pretend to be of another caste

Festivals continued….still

MahashivaratriTakes place in FebruaryIt is a special event dedicated to the devotion

of ShivaDevotees worship, keep vigil and fast for 24

hours

And still…..festivals…..

NavaratriThe word means “nine nights” and is held in

the springThe first three nights, Hindus worship DurgaThe next three nights they offer puja to

LakshmiThe final three nights are dedicated to

SaraswatiThe next night (the tenth), they observe

Vijayadasami, or the Day of Victory

Marriages

Marriages in Hinduism are arranged. Parents of the two (potential bride and

groom) check to see they are compatible socially (same caste), culturally and financially.

The ceremony last approximately three hours.

Funerals

When a person dies, the body is cremated and traditionally on the river bank of the Ganges

The name of the Rama is chanted and holy songs are sung.

The family takes the ashes and scatters them in the river.

Rituals: Puja

• Puja involves worshipping one or more Hindu deities.

• The image of a deity is called a murti.• Puja usually takes place in the home, but it

can also be conducted in a temple.

RitualsPuja in a Hindu Home• Most Hindu families have a place of worship in their home.• Worshippers remove their shoes, ring a bell to summon the

murti, light a lamp, and burn incense.• The murti is washed and decorated with garlands or flower

petals.• A small amount of red paste is placed on the foreheads of the

murti and the worshippers.• Worshippers make an offering of fruit, light, flowers, or sweets

to the murti.• Any food that has been part of the puja is eaten by everyone

present.

Temple Worship

• Hindus visit the mandir (temple) any time.• A Hindu temple is a complex of shrines, each devoted to a

different deity.• As worshippers enter the temple, they remove their shoes and

wash their hands.• They approach the shrine to make an offering as they approach,

they ring a bell to announce their arrival to the murti.• In another important ritual, haven, a fire offering, the priest

lights a fire, then pours butterfat or oil into it while chanting from the Vedas.

• Guru, Swami or Priest (Hindu Religious Leaders)