Ch 3 Hinduism

durga

"awe-inspiring", "distant"; a mother-goddess; a form of Devi

kali

"dark," a form of devi; a goodness associated with destruction and rebirth

devi

"goddess" ; the Divine Feminine, also called the Great Mother Portrayed in many forms and can be both loving and cruel. She is especially harsh to those who show themselves unworthy of her love. Devi is frequently worshiped with extreme human feeling. The worshiper may take on the emotions and even the clothing of a child or spouse of the Great Mother. The Divine Feminine appears as several goddesses, of which the most popular are Durga and Kali. -The goddess Durga (" awe- inspiring," " distant") is frequently represented with eight arms, full of implements used to destroy evil. -Her face is serene, surrounded by a halo, and she wears a crown. She rides a tiger, which helps her conquer all dangerous obstacles. Kali (" dark") is more fearsome still -often shown wearing a necklace of human skulls -her fanged teeth drip with blood -Her many arms are full of weapons, which are thought to be dangerous to enemies but protective of her children. Divinities of nature and Tree spirits are frequently female. What we see, from all these deities, is that the female element is an important part of Hindu spirituality. Many deities are female, and women frequently worship a female deity

*maya

"illusion"; what keeps us from seeing reality correctly; the world viewed inadequately Upanishads -contains both meanings of magic and matter -human beings see the world as consisting of individual things and people, all separate, but in reality the world is one basic holy reality that takes on many different forms -model of reality is less like machine made of individual moving parts, it is more like a great conciseness -individuals are all manifestations of the divine spirit, which does not end when the individual dies -reincarnation

*moksha

"liberation" from personal limitation, egotism, and rebirth Upanishads - it is the ultimate human goal - includes the notion of getting beyond egotistic responses, such as resentment and anger which limit the individual -implies liberation even from the limitations of being an individual--from being born a particular person at a specific time to a unique pair of parents--a person with distinct physical characteristics, emotions, desires, and memories - one can take action to overcome these restriction but one can also accept the limitations even while living with them -as one becomes freer, one looks at life less from a selfish and egotistic point of view and more from a perspective one that embraces the whole world -kindness to all generates karma, detaching oneself from pleasure or pain leads to freedom from egotism

ahimsa

"nonharm," "nonvoilence"

*trimurti

"three forms" of the divine-- the three gods Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva three forces of creation, preservation, and destruction

*karma yoga

("action"), priestly ritual action; later, doing one's dharma. the spiritual discipline of selfless action proposes that all useful work, if done unselfishly, can be a way to perfection deeds performed without a desire for reward are the heart of _____

*jnana yoga

("wisdom"), philosophical tradition of wandering sages -the spiritual discipline of knowledge and insight -brings insight to ones nature by studying the Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita and by learners from teachers who have attained insight -for priests and intellectuals -refined by the school of vedanta (veda end); refers to Upanishads--which come at the end of vedas--and the fact that the school used ideas of the Upanishads as its primary inspiration - the greatest teacher of vedanta, shankara, argued that everything is ultimately one, all is brahman -shankara thought that spiritual liberation was achieved when the individual personally came to understand the unity of all things -also emphasized monism--the oneness of everything--that his branch of the vendanta school is called advaita (not two-ness)

indian supreme court

(1966, 1995) -Reverence for the Vedas -A spirit of tolerance -Recognition of cosmic cycles -Recognition of reincarnation -Respect for many paths to truth -Understandings about gods -No essential philosophical creeds

grihasta

(householder) marriage (traditionally arraigned by parents) occurs at about age 20, and the person fulfills the demands of society by raising children

sannyasin

(renunciate) only appropriate after retirement and it is not expected of everyone but it is an option. if one wishes to live completely free of society, one is permitted to leave home, making the entire world his home. a man can leave his wife, as long as she is supported and celibacy is expected (sign through orange robe) considered outside the caste system, is free to wander, begging his food along the way, remain a constant traveler, making pilgrimage to scared sites of india or he may settle in ashram (religious community) or even live in a cave purpose is to hasten mystical insight, to free oneself of attachments, to end rebirth and to attain moksha

vanaprastha

(retiree) when grandchildren arrive, the person may retire somewhat from ordinary life to spend time once again on religious matters. the ancient ideal was to go into the forest to live, possibly with one's wife, away from society. in reality, retirees often continue to live with their children and with other relatives in an extended-family setting, but they may eat separately from the rest of the family and spend time on religious pursuits with friends

brahmacharin

(student) the first stage is spent laying a religious foundation for life. the young person between the ages of 8-20, studies religious works. celibacy is a necessary part of the training

*dharma

- duty, natural law, teaching, "religion," transcendent reality

*Aryans

-Apparently an outside population. -Fire sacrifice, priestly hierarchies. -Gods (devas): Agni, Indra, Varuna. -Written texts (sruti): Vedas, Brahmanas, Aranyakas, Upanishads. (indo european society) moved from present day southern russia about 2000 BCE in two directions --westward into europe and eastward into iran and india; entering new lands, these people were thought to have carried their language and religion with them initially believed that in india the outsiders imposed their social order quickly and violently on the older culture; under this theory called the "______ invasion theory", the vedas were believe to be the religious writings of the invading people another theory (the _____ migration theory) arose, instead of a single invasion, there were actually repeated waves of migrations to pakistan and northern india, and these contacts between foreign and indigenous cultures the religion of the vedas emerged

world religions

-Have a history of development over time, expanding or moving into different areas, possibly extending over the globe. -May retain ties to their place of geographic origins without being bounded by them. -Have oral and written textual tradition. -Include elements from various stages of historical and geographic development

*Dravidians

-Sophisticated architecture. -Goddess figurines; Lord of the Animals (Indus Valley Society)

*bhakti yoga

-devotional practice, available to all participants. -the spiritual discipline of devotion to a deity or guru -involves various expressions of devotion--most commonly chants, songs, food offerings, and the anointing of statues -can extend also to acts of devotion shown to ones guru (spiritual teacher), to ones parents, and to ones spouse

*Shudra

-his two feet became the _____ (peasant) -the peasant does manual labor and is expected to serve the higher castes. the origin of this caste probably goes back to the work of servants. the peasant is called "once born"

*Vedanta

-refined by the school of ______ (veda end); refers to Upanishads--which come at the end of vedas--and the fact that the school used ideas of the Upanishads as its primary inspiration - the greatest teacher of _______, shankara, argued that everything is ultimately one, all is brahman

*bliss-consciousness being

...

hindu marriage act

A Legal Definition (1955) -A person of Hindu religion. -A person who is Jain, Sikh, or Buddhist. -A person living in India who is not Muslim, --Christian, Parsi, or Jewish (unless proof of exemption can be made).

*Hinduism

Philosophical Hinduism -Rise of renunciant movements (sadhus). -Upanishads. Brahman, atman, maya. -Identity, self and universe. Devotional Hinduism -Classical trimurti: Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva. -Alternate view: Shiva, Vishnu, Mahadevi -Temple pujas, have darshan, receive prasada. Relies on the Ganges river (ganga ma), it is the major religion in india it has its own power but also new aspects have added to its force (early indigenous religion and influences from later immigrants) has one identifiable founder, no strong organizational structure to defend it and spread its influence, nor any creed to define and stabilize its beliefs unites the worship of many gods with a belief in a single divine, reality... a family of beliefs

*Sutras

The __________ are short aphorisms, compiled to serve as aids to memory in following the teacher's explanations. Each of the Veda has a _________ literature of its own

*yoga

a discipline ("yoke", "union"), practice -a spiritual discipline; a method for perfecting one's union with the divine b/c yoga suggests roads to perfection -methods that can be used to help people live spiritually -people need different individual paths, one caste and personality type will help determine the appropriate

kundalini yoga

a form of raja yoga that envisions the individual's energy as a force that is capable of being raised from the center of the body to the head, producing a state of joy combining both elements of raja and hath a yoga - teaches that there are 7 psychic centers, called chakras ("wheels"), that exist along the spinal column -meditation and physical exercises, help the meditator lift spiritual energy-- called _______ and envisioned as a coiled serpent--from one center to the next -each chakra is like a gateway through which the _________ passes, bringing increased insight and joy; when the ______ reaches the topmost and 7th center of energy at the top of your head, you have reached bliss (appeared in imagery as a lotus flower)

rama

a god and mythical king; a form of vishnu -He appears in the great epic the _______-__, -_____ and his wife, Sita, who are thought of as the ideal couple, are often portrayed together. One of the most commonly told stories concerns the abduction of Sita by Ravan (the demon king of Sri Lanka) Rama gains the help of Hanuman (leader of the monkeys) Hanuman helps ______ in killing Ravan and in locating and returning Sita. -Perhaps because of his image as a helper, Hanuman is today an immensely popular god in his own right. _____, is really a synonym for " God."

*Shiva

a god associated with destruction and rebirth the third of the Trimurti and the god linked with destruction, is the most complicated of the gods, both in origin and in conception. Sitting in yogic meditation posture, the horned figure that is found on seals from the Harappa period may be an early form of __________, Another early form is apparently the Vedic god Rudra, a dangerous god of mountains and winds, whom worshipers probably began to call ________ ("lucky") in order to neutralize the fear he inspired. In later times, however, his link with destructiveness is often shown in pictures of Shiva appearing at cremation grounds above a human body that is dissolving in flames. -destruction is considered to be simply another part of the divine energy at work in the world. - Destruction is a type of recycling, the necessary loss of form, which occurs so that new forms may appear; and death is always thought of as leading to new life. _______ is also a s sociated with recreation. As he dances, ______ is surrounded by a ring of fire, which shows his ability to destroy and transform. His long yogi's hair lies in the air. He has four arms, which signify his many powers. In his upper right arm is a drum, symbolizing creation and the beginning of time; and in the upper left arm is a flame, symbolizing destruction. His lower left arm is pointing to his upraised foot, suggesting that everyone should join him in his dance and be as free as he is. His lower right arm is extended in blessing, which in a symbolic way says, Don't be afraid. He dances on a dwarf- demon, representing the ignorance elephant head ________ is closely linked with destruction only when he is viewed as part of the Trimurti. Among Shaivites, he is the sole God and is not e x clusively related to destruction.

krishna

a god associated with divine playfulness; a form of vishnu -another incarnation of Vishnu -may have begun as an object of fertility worship -He is depicted in several forms, and is a coalescence of traditions. -In the long epic the Mahabharata, _________ appears as a mature and solemn god. -In later devotional works, the Puranas ("legends"), he is younger; there he is friends with gopis (milk-maids who look after herds of cows), and he steals butter and plays the lute, expressing the playful aspect of the divine. - Face and skin are blue, (color of the sky and of heaven), indicating his true otherworldly nature

*Vishnu

a god associated with preservation and love represents the force of preservation in the universe in the vedas he is the god associated with the sun and it thought of as light and warmth that destroys the darkness most important object in devotion to India and his followers are called Vaishnavites in many forms with a tall crowns and a regal manner, almost always had 4 arms which hold symbols of power; his companion animal is a great eagle like bird, Garuda on whom he flies through the universe associated with loving-kindness he can appear on earth at different times in various physical forms to help those in need 10 major incarnations (or avatars) of vishnu are commonly listed [fish, boar, and a tortoise] The incarnation yet to come will be a savior figure on horseback who will judge the human race. Two incarnations of Vishnu are wildly popular— Rama and Krishna

caste system

a major social class sanctioned by hinduism a division of society into social classes that are created by birth or occupation based off the rig veda when they divided purusha - the priests (brahmin) -warrior-noble (kshatriya) -the merchant (vaishya) -the peasant (shudra) -the untouchable (dalit) the system receives religious approval in the bhagavad gita, which recognizes that there are different types of people and that their ways to perfection will differ depending on their personality types and roles in society

*Bhagavad Gita

a religious literary work about krishna is a part of a very long epic poem called Mahabharata and tells how the sons of Pandu conquered their cousins, the Kauravas, with the help of the god krishna (often printed separately from Mahabharata) shaped by the priestly class and has become a spiritual classic recalls themes from Upanishads but also tried to strike a balance between mysticism and the practical needs of everyday life the wise see knowledge and action as one dialogue between Arijunaa (a prince) and his advisor Krishna, arijuna must fight his brothers and cousins for the title of his thrown and when he stops and feels sorrow, krishna urges him to fight and shows arijuna that a divine reality is at work within everything in the universe- in living and also in dying; however the recommendation that he should fight poses great moral problems for followers of hinduism

mantra

a short sacred purse, often chanted or used in meditation

*Ashrama

a spiritual community

guru

a spiritual teacher

samadhi

a state of complete inner peace resulting from meditation

sannyasin

a wandering holy man

*karma

action, or its implications the moral law of cause and effect that determines the direction of rebirth human beings at one time or another existed as a "lower" form, such as an animal or insect. we are also capable to achieving "higher" forms of life such as superhuman beings and demigods could go in either direction and humans must make dramatic choices on how to live because if one does not live properly they will be born as a poor human family or a form of life that is difficult like a pig the direction it determined but moral consequences that are carried along with every act

avatar

an earthly embodiment of a deity

*samsara

cycle of birth, death, and rebirth; "the world" the everyday world of change and suffering leading to rebirth refers to the wheel of life, the circle of constant rebirth, and suggests strongly that the everyday world is full of change as well as struggle and suffering

*Aranyakas

detailed ceremonial rules were added by later generations to the four vedic collections ("forest books") allowed the rituals to be understood and practiced in nonliteral, symbolic ways by men who had left society and become ascetics in the forest

*Brahmanas

detailed ceremonial rules were added by later generations to the four vedic collections named for the priests who would use them, give details about the proper time and place for ceremonies, the preparation of the ground, ritual objects, and purification rights

bhakti

devotion to deity or guru (god or gods)

stages of life

each stage of life has its proper way of being lived (like the caste system) each life stage is religious 1. student (brahmacharin) 2. householder (grihastha) 3. retiree (vanaprastha) 4. renunciate (sannyasin)

*prasada

food and water offered to a deity during worship (puja). It is believed that the deity partakes of and then returns the offering, thereby consecrating it. The offering is then distributed and eaten by the worshippers. The efficacy of the __________ comes from its having been touched by the deity. Food left by a guru (spiritual leader) is considered __________ by his followers, as the guru is a living god. All food, if silently offered to God with the proper prayers before eating, becomes consecrated and is thus considered __________.

*Vedas

four collections of ancient prayers and rituals -**the rig veda (hymm knowledge) is a collection of more than 100 chants to the aryan gods -the yajur veda (ceremonial knowledge) contains matter for recitation during sacrifice -sama veda (chant knowledge) is a handbook of musical elaborations of vedic chants -atharva veda (knowledge from [the teacher] atharva) consists of practical prayers and charms such as prayers to protect against snakes and sickness ancient scriptures in India that give a great deal of information about gods (many of the same ones) and worship during that is often called the vedic period (2000-500 BCE) sanskrit is the ancient language consisted of mostly male gods who were believed to control the forces of nature these gods were worshipped at outdoor fire altars, offerings and sacrifices were made, sacred chants which the priest knew from memory were essential in the ceremony; they believed the chants had powers of their own and were orally handed down, these chants in the written form make up the vedas

*Brahma

god of creation represents the creative force that made the universe considered the personal aspect of brahman and has been thought of as the special patron of the priestly class, the brahmins ancient and thoughtful king sitting on the thrown, had 4 faces in one of 4 directions, 8 arms each holding symbols of power

*Ramayana

great epic whose stories have inspired dance as well as art

dhyana

meditation

*Brahmin

member of the priestly caste mouth became the _____ (priests) who perform the vedic rituals and act as counselors

*Vaishya

merchants in the caste system -two thighs became the ______ (merchants) -the merchant class includes landowners, moneylenders, and sometimes artisans. males of the tree upper caste systems receive a sacred cord during a ceremony in their youth and afterward are called "twice born"

Mother goddess

mother goddess

*puja

offerings and ritual in honor of deity devotional ritual commonly performed at an altar, involves the offering of flowers, food, fire, and incise to images of a god or gods, as well as the occasional singing of hymns

goals of life

pleasure (kama) economic security and power (artha) social and religious duty (dharma) these goals, which can be pursued simultaneously, are acceptable and even virtuous, as long as they are tempered by moderation and social regulation complete freedom (moksha)

*Varnashrama-Dharma System

social class (jati = caste) social classes that are subdivided into hundred of subcastes, the caste system dissuades members from different castes and subcastes from intermarrying According to Hindu texts, ____________ is not a man-made system but refers to natural classifications that appear to various degrees in all human societies. Individuals have different innate tendencies for work and exhibit a variety of personal qualities. There are also natural phases in life, when it is easier and more rewarding to perform certain activities. Hinduism teaches that individuals best realise their potential by taking into account such natural arrangements, and that society should be structured and organised accordingly.

*Mahabharata

tells how the sons of Pandu conquered their cousins, the Kauravas, with the help of the god krishna (400 BCE- 400 CE)

*raja yoga

the "royal" discipline of mediation does not appear in the Bhagavad Gita but was introduced later to but was introduced later to refer to the steps of meditation -sitting quietly, turning inward, calming the mind -short periods of time: it lowers stress and brings a sense of peace -Long periods of time: it can induce new states of consciousness -matra (a word or brief phrase) is often recited with each breath; for example Om (sounds of creation) -they have a mediator create symbolic mental images (frequently a deity), contemplate a sacred diagram (called a yantra), or repeat complicated sacred phrases -the many techniques of mediation are called sadhanas ("practices")

monism

the philosophical position that all apparently separate realities are ultimately one; the belief that God and the universe are the same, that the universe is divine

*hatha yoga

the spiritual discipline of postures and bodily exercises force yoga -made to make long periods of meditation easier, mostly involve stretching and balancing, also sometimes breathing exercises many schools -iyengar: focuses on correct technique and sequence in doing a large number of traditional breathing exercises and yoga postures -brikram: involves a series of 26 hatha yoga exercises and 2 breathing exercises in a heated room -ashtanga: a demanding series of 6 sequences of highly athletic postures

*atman

the spiritual essence of all individual human beings Upanishads -deepest self -each person has an individual soul (jiva), and the individual soul confers uniqueness and personality -when experience fully is identical with brahman -refers to the experience of the sacred with oneself

*brahman

the spiritual essence of the universe cosmic power present in the vedic sacrifice and chants, over which the priest had control Upanishads in the Upanishads, it was expanded to mean divine reality at the heart of things the upanishads insist that _______ is something that can be known-not simply believed in is the lived experience that all things are in some way holy because they come from the same sacred source to experience it to know firsthand that every apparent individual reality in the world is actually a wave of the same sacred ocean of energy (the moon, the sun, the stars..)

*Dalit

the untouchables, traditionally does the dirtiest work--cleaning toilets, sweeping streets, collecting animal carcasses, and tanning animal hides. this caste's low status prompted the Indian reformer Mohandas Gandhi to promote another name for the class-- harijan (children of god)-- and he urged their inclusion in the regular society. present-day india has laws and rules to help overcome discrimination against untouchables

*Kshatriya

warrior noble class has the role of protecting society, this is the caste of the aristocracy two arms were made into the rajanya (warrior-noble)

*Upanishads

written mediations on the spiritual essence of the universe and the self the four vedas end up with later works called ________, which express philosophical and religious ideas that arose in introspective and mediative traditions Origin people questioned the vedas due to ancient belief in many gods, seeking instead a single divine reality that might be the source of everything means "sitting near", sitting near a master and learning techniques for achieving religious experience the notion that spiritual discipline and meditation, both priests and non-priests can experience spiritual reality that underlies all seemingly separate realities... a person who has the necessary experience can be a spiritual master written primarily in dialogue form (both pose and poetry) most important notions: brahman, atman, maya, karma, samsara, and moksa