REL1300 Test 3 Hinduism1. Aryan/Indo-European: Aryan means “noble ones” and Iran means land of the Aryans. - Polytheistic, believed in animism and open-air practices. - Known for conquering and being warrior like. Hitler adopted this term because he wanted to say that Germans were descendants of Aryans because they were such conquerors - Aryan and Indo/ European are interchangeable but appearance varies around globe 2. Harappa: culture that was Native Indians that occupied India prior to the arrival of the Aryans. They left a few records that show they were a very advanced culture. Hinduismis a result of mingling with this culture 3. *varnas - Name of the caste system started by the Aryans then adopted by the Hindus - Brahmins (priests), Chieftains (warriors), Commoners and merchants, and slave class(shudras) (devotion of action) 4. Vedas: also referred to as shruti and is the earliest scripture and sacred text and basic source of cosmology for Hindus. It means “that which is heard and revealed.” They believe that it was revealed by God and not of human origin. (devotion of knowledge) - There are 4 texts each composed of 4 parts - Rig Veda is the most important text and was an oral tradition at first and later written down. 5. *Bhagavad Gita: portion of epic poem based on the Vedas. Tells the story of struggles between leading families from the beginning of Indian history. Composed as early as 200 BCE- 3 central teachings: o Performance of dharmao Affirmation of various religious devotions o Vishnu - Story: Takes place at during the beginning of India and is about Arjuna who is a warrior pained by the idea of having to go to war with his cousins. Krishna is his charioteer who turns out to be Vishnu who had taken on human form. Krishna tells him not to worry about bad Karma accumulating because taking another life in war is his dharma. - Teaching is that individuals should perform their dharma and avoid karma while showing that there are various means of religious expressions that can lead to moksha including asceticism, meditation, devotions to gods, and obedience to rules of caste. - Pictures Vishnu as a god who loves and is concerned about human beings and takes various forms on earth to help humans with their struggles. - Text marks transition between classical and postclassical Hinduism 6. Upanishads- 1 part of the texts that is the scholastic/ philosophical literature. a. *samsara- cycle of birth and rebirth; means “to wander across” b. karma- accumulates and is what traps you in the cycle of Samsara. “Fruit of Action”c. Moksha- release of Samsara d. *atman- expressional force of Brahman and of souls e. Brahman- impersonal god/ force; ocean of souls f. Maya- means to have illusory knowledge and think individual reality is actual reality. Think you have a separate reality than Brahman or Atman 7. Shruti is another name for the Vedas and means, “that which was heard” (revealed by God and not of human origin.8. Smirti is literature that is remembered (of human origin that is passed down orally.)9. *Hindu trinity also called the Trimutri which is creation, destruction, and preservation. Each god expreses forms of Brahman. (Devotion to God) - Brahma: is the creator who receives the least attention. Only 2 temples for him and no cult of devotees. He is also not featured in Vedic literature - Shiva is the destroyer and is the most popular in postclassical Hinduism; god of death, destruction, disease, and dance. o Not in Vedic literature and developed from Aryan god Rudra. o Symbol is a trident- Vishnu: is the preserver god of love, benevolence, and forgiveness. He plays and joins humanity in play. He likes tricks and pranks and is known for coming to earth in many forms to help humanity with their struggles. 10. Dharma- is ones duty usually to particular caste class. One of the ways one can achieve moksha (devotion to action) 11. Sadhu- 4th stage of life where men are wandering holy men. This is an extreme form of spiritual path and often involves self mortification. Form of Devotion to Discipline 12. Divali – also called Festival of Lights and celebrates the goddesses Lokshmi and Kali and thedestruction of demons. 13. Holi- the most popular festival in India that celebrates the beginning of spring. Dedicated to Krishna which is the human form of Vishnu. Because he is known for pranks, people throw dyes and colors in the air and on each other. Caste system is not recognized during this time and people forget everything and just have fun in order to honor Krishna. 14. *caste system- Dictates their duties, what they can eat, what job they can have, who they can marry. They are reluctant to break out because of karma. It is believed that they are where they deserve to be. Thousands of sects. 15. suttee- practice that occurs when widow jumps on top of dead husbands body and burns with him. The religious significance is hard to find. Woman is seen as head of householdand husbands welfare is under her control, therefore if he dies it is her fault and she should die with him. 16. The Law of Manu- code of conduct for Hindus. Three central teachings include : - Moral ideas, Duties of 4 Varnas, Divine time, and four stages of life. - Divine time is not linear, but circular because there is no beginning and no end. This is shown through rituals which make the past present. - 4 Stages of life are specifically for men: Some go through all but most don’to 1. Student 2. Householder( get married; have kids) 3. Hermit 4 become wandering beggar. Jainism1. Mahavira- “great hero” 24th Tirthankaras. Best associated with founding of Jainism 2. Tirthankara- “crossing builders” is group of 24 including Mahavira that established Jainism.Believed to have forged a bridge between this life and Nirvana. They all receive veneration of Jains in their temples. 3. *five vows and story of the Elephant- 1)Ahimsa (no harm of living things) 2) Speak the Truth 3) Refrain from taking what is not given 4) Renunciation of sexual pleasure 5) Renunciation of all attachments- Jains don’t believe in absolute truth which is illustrated in the story of the elephant and blind man. Each blind man touches part of elephant and guesses what it is. Even though they are wrong, what they think is right has become part of their reality. - Illustrates 1 of 5 vows which is truth, but truth is absolute in Jainism, and the elephant represents the greater truth which is relative. 4. ahimsa- no harm of
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