Living the HIndu Life (Unit 3)

• yoga involves concentrating the mind as Bhgavan or Antaryami and it should be a daily part of Hindu faith and practice. It helps rid hindus of any negative feelings and shows loving service to God. It unites them in their pursuit of Moksha.
• what is karma yoga

  the path of good works (helping)
• bhakti yoga

  path of devotion (worship)
• Astanga yoga 


  the path of meditation (medititaing)
• what is Jhana yoga

  path of knowledge (learning)
• YOGA QUOTE: He is the most intimately united with Me in yoga and is the highest of all.
• no path of yoga is better than another and what matters is that they realise their atman needs to be united with Brahman
• jnana yoga info

  • having knowledge and understanding or realisation
  • a learned teacher or guru is a spiritual guide
  • requires devotion and commitment
• karma yoga info

  • Gandhi is the ideal example of this path
  • this path is related to actions and the consequences of said actions
  • a person's experience of pain and suffering in a past life decides their pain in this life
• astanga/raja yoga info

  • focusing the mind
  • saying OM
  • through discipling the mind and controlling the body and its desires humans develop self-awareness
• bhakti yoga info

  • showing love and devotion to a personal god
  • god must be at the front of the mind at all times so they will chant a gods name at every given opportunity
  • hindus will serve god by offerning puja
• hindus see worship as a way to achieve moksha one of the most important duties is to show loving devotion to God (bhakti)
• FOCUS AND PLACES OF WORSHIP QUOTE: For one sees he everywhere and sees everything in me i am never lost nor is he ever lost in me
• different focuses of worship

  • the supereme (god)
  • variety of gods and goddesses
  • spiritual teacher (swami)
  • teacher of knowledge (guru)
  • the brahmin (preist)
  • monarch
  • family elders
  • cows
  • sacred plants (tulasi)
  • sacred rivers (ganges)
  • all living beings as part of god
• Hinduism is monotheistic as all deities are forms of one god not individual deities. god may be worshipped through is representitives which are natural authroities. plants rivers and animals are a focus as they are forms of god and there is no right or wrong way to worship
• places of worship

  • mandir
  • shrines
  • outside
  • festivals
  • space of the heart
• mandir benefits

  • sense of community
  • learn more about faith by using resources
  • spiritual teachers can guide you
• mandir weaknesses

  • can exclude certain groups e.g. menstruating women
  • hard to access outside india
  • cant be personalised
• shirne benefits

  • personalised with a chosen deity
  • can be any size
  • inclusive and includes everybody
• shirnes weaknesses

  • can be expensive to maintain
  • no guidance during worship
  • can't socialise with like minded people and the wider community
• outside benefits

  • inclusive and accessible
  • values nature as brahman is in every aspect
  • sense of community
• outside weaknesses

  • some are hard to access outside india e.g. the ganges
  • overcrowding
  • sites like the ganges can become damaged and unhygenic
• festival benefits

  • sense of community
  • inclusive
  • engaging and fun
• festival weaknesses

  • pollution
  • overcrowding
  • fun may cause a loss of focus from god
• space of heart benefits

  • personal as your relationship
  • available to all
  • constant connection with god
• space of heart weaknesses

  • may not have time
  • not everyone can meditate deeply enough no guidance
• hindus worship is one of the most important hindu duties to show loving devotion to god. this is bhakti one of the main forms of yoga and it offers the promise of moksha to those who show loving and steadfast devotion
• WHY HINDUS WORSHIP QUOTES: a leaf or flower water fruit a devotee in love may bring; i cherish that earnest soul that earnest soul the love that makes the offering
• meditation

  • techniques to promote relaxation
  • build internal energy
  • develop compassion
• havan

  • fire sacrifice
  • rice is offered
  • anything thrown in will reach the gods
• japa

  • chanting mantra
  • string of 108 beads
  • count through the different names
• darshan

  • touch the steps and feet of the shrine
  • they ask to be blessed in return
  • they sing hymns known as bhajan or kirtan
• bhajan

  • devotional songs
  • accompanied by tablas
  • about legend or deities
• kirtan

  • call and response songs
  • accompanied by harmonicas
  • about legends or deities
• arti

  • arti lamp is lit
  • passed round the deity with prayers and songs
  • touch their head and eyes to recieve the blessing
• puja

  • can be in a temple
  • can be at home
  • can be in the open air
• MEDITATION QUOTE: there is a special way to listen to the voice of god and that is to meditate in silence
• hindu worship can be done in many places whereas christian worship is done in a church
• the focus of hindu worship Brahman in his many forms whereas the focus of christian worship is god
• hindu worship can take many forms whereas christian worship is through prayer and hyms