Unit Two: Hinduism Essays

Hinduism is not an organized polytheistic religion because the majority of Hindus believe in a Supreme Being. While there are many deities and gods in Hinduism, all of them are nothing more than representations of the Supreme Being, or Brahman. This Supreme Being has unlimited forms and expressions. The reason why Hinduism is sometimes mistakenly thought of as a polytheistic religion is because of the many deities. Hinduism's flexibility and lack of set rules and structures allow its followers to practice the religion however they wish. Each person relates to God in a particular form. Some see the Supreme Being through Shiva or Vishnu or Brahma. Hindus believe that the Supreme Being expresses himself through many gods and goddesses, who possess certain qualities of Brahman. Moreover, Hinduism invites its believers to imagine a god that is best for them, even if that god comes from another religion. It is the different gods that outsiders see that convince them that Hinduism is a polytheistic religion, granted some Hindus may believe in more than one god.

1. Karma yoa 2. Jnana yoga 3. Raja yoga 4. Ashtanga yoga Karma yoga focuses on action without selfishness and self-consciousness. In other words, one must naturally commit selfless deeds, rather than consciously making an effort in order to reach a goal. It calls for sincerity in one's actions and kind-heartedness. It also calls one to let go of our obsession over the ephemeral, and instead embrace our existence and life itself. Don't live life, be it. (?) Perform the action to perform it; do not become attached to the consequences and possible outcomes. This way, you do not have to worry about feeling so accomplished or dejected. Jnana yoga is the \"way of wisdom.\" It focuses on the intellectual path to attaining moksha. T -Bhakti yoga is the spiritual path, which focuses on love, faith, and surrender to God. This involves a lot more ritualistic practices, such as pujas. Pujas can take place at home and in temples. They often include prayer, offerings, burning incense, chants, and other elements. ps. its very popular Raja Yoga, or classical yoga, is the \"royal path of meditation.\" (Some random website) It is often described as an Ashtanga, or Eight-armed yoga. This kind of yoga includes the typical physical poses, breath control, and deep meditation that we tend to associate with the word \"yoga.\" However, it mostly focuses on meditation and contemplation; Shiva is the King of Yoga. Ashtanga yoga, or Eight-armed yoga, is some form of yoga with a bunch of stuff. \"Rāja yoga is traditionally referred to as aṣṭānga (eight-limbed) yoga because there are eight aspects to the path to which one must attend\" Yama-moral behavior Niyama-purification and study Asana-physical poses Pranayama-breath control Pratyahara-withdrawal from the senses Dharana-concentration Dhyana-deep meditation Samadhi-ultimate union

Hinduism is split into four popular sects: Vaishnavism, Shaivism, Shaktism, and Smartism. Vaishnavism is a sect devoted to Vishnu as Supreme Being. - compose 70% of Hindus - mostly monotheistic or panentheistic (the divine is everything in nature and extends more than that), or dvaita (dualism; twoness); have an individual being that is in relationship with the divine but is not the divine - Vishnu is the one god - devotion: dancing, chanting, communion - Krishna: tease and impish; flute player; draws the attention of all the ladies: consort is radha who is an avatar of Lakshmi - Rama: honor, kingship, bow and arrow, warrior; consort is Sita - a much easier sect to follow because the devotion part is simple - those who do not want to be one with god Shaivism: focus on Shiva as Supreme Being - 20% Hindus - stress on asceticism, inner spiritual power, and mysticism - mostly adviata and pantheistic (being sugar rather than tasting it); oneness - Shiva doesn't really have an avatar; wife is Pavarti - Krishna and Ganesh - shiva lingam: abstract symbol of shiva's power - Shiva nataraja: a statue of shiva dancing on a dwarf; stomping on ignorance; dance of destruction; destroying the world; dance of transformation; recreation - we witness and are part of shiva's dance - Lord of Dance - half woman lord Shaktism: worshipping Devi (the divine mother) in many forms - the energy of the divine mother - \"consorts\" of gods - feminine energy that animates gods and everything - often fused with local village goddesses - Saraswati: embodiment of Lakshmi; Goddess of culture, education music - Pavati: consort of shiva; mother of Ganesha - Durga: warrior; more violent and aggressive - Kali: necklace of men's heads and skirt made of arms; dominates shiva; it is only b/c of her that shiva has life; powerful - Chinnamasta: cut off her own head; standing on two lovers copulating on a lotus; celebration of sexual female power; the radical control of desire Smartism: - doesn't have a personal connection with a personal god - all deities are manifestations of Brahman - seems to be the way Hinduism is headed

Hinduism is characterized by its continuity because it's history makes it the religion it has become today. Because Hinduism was born (probably, we don't know exactly when it began) in a time when oral tradition was how religion was conveyed it has allowed for there to be many different tales of gods as well as many different gods themselves. The difference of opinion Hindus have now on their gods, rituals, etc is a result of thousands of years of storytellers giving their own touch to ancient tales. Though there are universally defined characteristics for certain gods, the majority of the gods and their qualities are relevant to their own worshipers. The continuity of Hinduism has also allowed it to address major issues that certain religions now do not have answers for such as why some people are better than others (obviously not fair or correct, but they have an answer nevertheless), how to escape life, and how to contact a god (unlike some religions, Hinduism has made it possible for a person [through devotion, hard work, and action] to contact a god without a mediator [yes there are Brahmins but they aren't needed for EVERYTHING]. Also, because gurus can have more than one successor that will go on to become gurus, there is a multiplication of traditions.

The Ramayana depicts the duties of relationships, portraying ideal characters like the ideal father, ideal servant, the ideal brother, the ideal wife and the ideal king. According to Hindu tradition, Rama is an incarnation (Avatar) of the God Vishnu. The main purpose of this incarnation is to demonstrate the righteous path (dharma) for all living creatures on earth. It focuses on the importance of duty, but highlights the sacrifices one makes in order to maintain a perfect reputation. The film itself slightly mocks the parts of the Ramayana criticizing Sita's devoted love for Rama and Rama's skepticism of Sita's faithfulness and disgust by her taintedness. The film also illustrates how the Ramayana is universal, able to touch even those who are not part of the Hindu religion.

Varnas. tied back to reincarnation. you are in the class you are because of what you did in past lives. then you caused your demise/success. it makes you the reason for your misery. because reincarnation is such a prevalent thing in Hinduism, it is accepted that these classes stay rigid. In a way, you do not deserve to move up in your life because you were bad in you last life. 1. Brahmins: priests; from families who are considered the purest, wisest, and most learned 2. Kshatriyas: warriors; help protect and rule society 3. Vaishya: farmers and merchants 4. Shudra: servants; serve those in other levels of castes; not permitted to study scripture - Asprishya aka \"untouchables' are the families that are considered defiled b/c they have the degrading jobs in society, such as cleaning human waste; one's previous lives were in some way vile - a person is bound to the caste he or she was born into until death - the person must dutifully submit to all requirements defined for that caste Caste System mouth-->Brahmins arms-->Ksatriya things-->Vaishya feet-->Sudras \"ground\"-->harijam/dalits/pariahs/\"unntouchables\" these divisions are called varnas the word \"caste\" has Portuguese roots de facto: jatis, which are defined by... language job wealth etc traditionally marry and eat within jatis JATIS ARE WHAT REALLY COUNT

Bhagavad Gita, which directly translates to \"Song of God,\" is so popular because it contains words of wisdom and practical teachings. It provides answers to the problems of the present-day individual. Bhagavad Gita is a message addressed to each and every human individual to help and solve the\"vexing\" problems of the present and progressing towards a bright future. It helps to liberate man from all limiting factors and attain the state of perfect inner peace, inner stability and mental peace. A major theme of the Bhagavad Gita is yoga, which is acknowledgement of our inner spirit & skill in actions. Another major theme is karma. Even though it is karma (action) that binds soul to cosmic existence and re-birth, work is essential in the world. God himself engages in work, otherwise the worlds would cease to exist.

The problems with the Vedic religion include... Problems with Vedic religion: why Hinduism changed over time - Too expensive and unfair - Too confusing - Too limited arrival of muslim marked written scriptures The Brahminical Period (1500 - 300 BCE) - Indo-Aryans intermarried with indigenous population and migrated south to the Ganges River area - the ritual sacrifices of the Brahmins were so elaborate and expensive that only the rich could afford them The mediating role of the Brahmin decreased as gurus emerged Gurus: \"teacher\" Hindu teachers and guides in philosophical and spiritual matters Bhakti: the devotional way of achieving liberation from the cycle of death and rebirth, emphasizing the loving faith of devotee for the gods Shiva and Vishnu gained great prominence during this time Rise in ascetical practices

Tat tvam asi directly translates to \"that thou art/you are that.\" It means that Brahman and Atman are one. Brahman refers to a transcendent power beyond the universe and Atman refers to the real self beyond ego or false self. It is often referred to as 'spirit' or 'soul' and indicates our true self or essence which underlies our existence. The meaning of this saying is that the Self - in its original, pure, primordial state - is wholly or partially identifiable or identical with the Ultimate Reality that is the ground and origin of all phenomena. This phrase is so important because the essence of all the Hindu scriptures is in that one sentence.