Hinduism - Year 12

• Brahman


  God in hinduism. Apart of everything. Brahman- eternal, genderless, omnipotent, without form and indescribeable. Brahman- each thing is a part of brahman. Brahman 3 main qualities= sat-pure being, chit-pure consciousness, ananda- pure bliss. Saguna brahman- god with attributes. Nirgua brahman- god without attributes. God is above + beyond all human understanding.
• atman


  Divine spark in their physical body. In all living things and identical with brahman. Every being has an eternal soul, that soul= brahman. Atman = 2 categories= jiva atman- individual self, paratman- supreme self. Atman- caught in cycle of samsara or rebirth, creates its own destiny depending on karma. Hindu's goal= achieve moksha= freedom from samsara. Atman= impersonal+ has no characteristics. When a person dies everything dies with it except the atman
• Brahman + Atman


  Various views. Relationship is dual- atman is only apart of brahman, monistic view- they're one. example- SVETAKETU AND UDDALKA and CAR AND DRIVER
• shankara

  Philosopher who believed brahman + atman= identicial. Mokshas achieved by realising theres no seperate atman. He believed everything else = illusion. 1 st philosopher to give detailed differences between saguna and nirguna brahman
• Madhva

  Philosopher. Went missing for 4 days- discovered discussing with the priest of vishnu. Went on pilgrimage- claimed to have walked on water. Believed brahman + atman= seperate. Rejected the idea the world= maya ( illusion). Although things are temporary + ever-changing doesnt mean they arent real
• the trimurti

  Brahma- creator, Vishnu- preserver, Shiva- destroyer.

  represents different stages if life= Brahma- student, vishnu- householder, shiva- retirement stage of life.

  Male in mature- assosiated with female energy. Vishnu + shiva = most important. Brahma- rarely worshipped independently
• Brahma

  4 heads, 4 faces, 4 arms

  4 heads- his infatuation with female deity. Hindu's believe at the end of each universe, brahma meditates before creating the next. in 1 of his hands- holds copy of the vedas, a symbol of religious knowledge that enables him to create. 2nd hand - water pot- wash before he meditates. 3rd hand- string od 108 rosary beads- keep track of universe time. Shown holding lotus flower- grows in dirty lakes to show spiritual beauty can grow from human nature
• vishnu

  Preserver+ guardian of men. protects the order of things. When necessary, appears on earth to fight demons to maintain cosmic harmony. Frequently represented in blue all pervading nature. Represented reclining over the waves of the ocean or standing on a lotus flower. 2 front arms represent his physical existance. 2 back arms- presence in spiritual world
• Sources of authority - Indus valley civilization

  Wealthy middle class and a centralised government. Name is given as the first sit to be excavated were along the river Indus.towns were built on brick platforms to protect them from floods. Very little is known about the way they lived. Indus valley script can't be understood or translated. Images gives a picture of life. Images- animals suggests some kind of worship. Belief in life after death.
• Religious figures and sacred texts- the Aryans and their culture

  Originally from central Asia. Arya meaning noble ones, to differentiate themselves from inhabitants of the Indus valley. Tall + fair skinned . Considered themselves superior to any other race. Scholars suggest Varna system purpose was to keep these 2 groups separate. Built no cities. Horse- great significance. Cow - symbol of prestige in Aryan society
• Sources of authority, origins of hinduism- conflict between Aryans and the Indus valley


  Main problem is scripts remain undeciphered. Alot of interpretations, evidence is made to fit the theory rather than the theory based on evidence. Links made between Indus social hierarchy and Varna system. Scholars refute on invasion took place. Indus valley cities weren't destroyed were abandoned due to lack of water, no evidence of war. Aryans migrated to northern India
• Krishnu and arjuna-Teachings of Varna and varnadharma


  Varna structures society, each Varna has a specific duties to perform which if there varnadharama. Top Varna- Brahmin- perform rituals and teach the correct way of living. Kshatriyas- fight wars, protect society. Sudras/ dalits- manual work , serve other varnas

  A​rjuna worried about going to war ,killing his family. His duty= to fight he believes it's also his duty to not kill his family. Asks Krishna what to do, tells him he won't get bad karma . Has to be done out of duty
• Krishnu and Arjuna - teachings of Varna and varnadharma


  The source of evil is the intention behind the idea. It's arjunas duty to fight he's the member if the kshatriya Varna.
• Different paths to liberation- Jhana yoga

  Most advanced types of yoga. Only brahmins Varna was able to practise.Jnana=knowledge or wisdom. The goal of Jhana= distinguish what's real and what's an illusion. Krishna explains having this knowledge leads to moksha
• Different paths to liberation - karma yoga

  In the bhagvad Krishna tells Arjuna actions done out of sense of duty has no karmic effects. Karma yoga= yoga of unselfish action, purifies the heart through acting selflessly without desire for reward. Person- not attached to the result
• Different paths to liberation - bhakti yoga

  Bhakti- belief that a personal relationship with god is possible based on love and expression through service. Bhakti-= path leads to moksha. Sakamya bhakti- devotion with desire for material gain.

  Nishkamya bhakti- worshipper tries to be one with god. Apara bhakti- worshipper believes god is the supreme. Para bhakti- worshipper sees god and feels his power
• Hindu texts - their use in daily life -- vedas

  Most important scriptures of hinduism- oldest scriptures in the world. Not in human words but the words of god. Vedas means knowledge,wisdom,vision
• Hindu texts - their use in daily life -- the rig veda

  Most important,oldest, divided into 10 books
• Hindu texts - their use in daily life -- the Sama veda 


  Consists of chants,melodies, sung during worship and the performance of yajnas
• Hindu texts - their use in daily life-- role of Ramayana 


  Ramayana = great Indian epic telling. Rama, the hero of the epic lived his life by the rules of dharma, that's why Hindus regard him as a hero and teach their young people to be like Rama. Rama was the virtuous , wise,powerful prince , sits was his wife. Rama except his exile from his father . Evil demon tries to kidnap sits and tries to seduce her
• Hindu texts - their use in daily life-- ethical teaching of the ramayana 


  No ancient story has remained as popular through the course of time. Ramayana= used to teach moral values and ethics. Shows duty of brothers standing up for eachother in times of need. Teaches value of life and the ways to uphold them
• Hindu texts , their use in daily life -- ethical teachings of mahabharata


  Widely used in the teaching of moral and ethical values. Krishna warns Arjuna not to focus solely on the rewards of fulfilling his duty and not to fight for his own benefit. He must fight for the goods if others. Mahabharata raises many ethical issues and moral issues:

  Justice and fairness, violence honesty and abuse of women, wrong actions have serious consequences
• Varnashramadharma- brahmins

  Provide of education and spiritual leadership. A brahmins duty is to study and learn vedas, give to charity,perform religious ceremonies. Brahmins are expected to never be in paid employment for their duties. Should develop ideal qualities : honesty,knowledge,wisdom
• Varnashramadharma- kshatriyas


  Protectors of society, expected to display strength of body and character. Traditionally seen as soldiers usually associated with royalty and governance. Ruling class their duties include: protect citizens from harm, ensure others perform their dharma , never to accept charity, first into battle,never surrendering
• Varnashramadharma

  • often associated with business large and small. Some vaishnys can exert much influence in society due to their wealth and status whilst others may be merely skilled employees. Their duties include : render service to others , follow general moral principalsm
• Varnashramadharma- sudras


  Workers and the only ones able to be employed by others. Generally unskilled workers, servants, labourers. Their duties: render service to others, follow general moral principles, to marry
• Varnashramadharma- dalits

  Untouchables. Put outside the caste system. Their shadow was capable of polluting those higher in society. They were given jobs such as handling dead bodies and disposing of refuse and human waste
• Varnashramadharma- dalits


  They are banned from fully participating in Hindu religious life. Forced to live outside the limit of villages, were not allowed temple worship or the right to use the same water from the same sources as other members of society. Prohibited from having any contact with members of higher varnas
• Varnashramadharma- the 4 ashrams 


  Stages of life. 4 main stages: Brahmacharya- the student stage. Grihasra- the householder stage. Sannyasin- reunication stage. Ultimate purpose of reobserving the 4 ashrams is to help ​a person achieve moksha
• Varnashramadharma- relationship between varnashramadharma to bhakti


  Doing good or correct actions as a service to humanity and god. Varnashramadharma can be viewed as an act of bhakti worship. Dharma serves to promote a virtuous and spiritually aware character in a person. Dharma has a purpose in keeping with the order of the universe. Bhakti- serves to both support and consolidate this duty
• The dalits - Gandhi and untouchability 


  Believed varnashramadharma was the most important characteristics of Hindu society. But it was purely functional and had nothing to do with people being better or worse than others. Gandhi considered Varna to be the law of life. He wrote extensively about the disgrace suffered by those affected by it. Gandhi was completely opposed to the concept of untouchability as it leads to inequality. He called them harijans meaning the children of god . He campaigned to have them placed in the fourth Varna.
• Ambedkar

  • Born an untouchable
  • Gained a successful education and achieved a degree
  • Clashes with Gandhi on a number of issues
  • Both wanted to stop the use of the term untouchable
  • Ambedkar rejected Gandhi's suggestion of 'harijans' as it was patronising
  • Determined to wipe out the caste system Gandhi supported
  • Led campaigns to improve access to education
  • After campaigning unsuccessfully for 5 years to gain the right to enter Hindu temples, he urged untouchables to change their religion to one that didn't recognise the caste system
  • He and 4 million dalits converted to Buddhism
• The dalits - contemporary status of dalits 


  In 1997 India elected it's first dalits president. Status of dalits in society is no longer limited by caste prejudice. Large numbers of dalits still remain in poverty. Many dalits have been successfull in business and public life. BPS oppose strongly the social system practised by upper class Hindus
• Concept of ahisma- origins of ahisma

  Literak translation = without harm. Completely harmless to all forms of life. Only way to save your soul if to protect every other soul.ahisma - most essential religious duty for everyone. Aim= prevent accumulation of harmful karma. No exceptions- killing animals is forbidden even for food. No difference between causing an injury deliberately and carelessly. Eating honey - forbidden as it's violence against the bees. Abstain from farming as it involves killing worms and insects. Violence in self defense can be justified
• Concept of ahism- traditional understanding of ahisma 


  Also means showing compassion to all living beings, practise of love , forgiveness. Ahisma = spiritual concept. Practised for spiritual growth. Highest duty. A number of Hindu texts not only support but promote the eating of meat. No substantial difference between the should of a human and soul of an animal. Both considered to be an atman
• Concept of ahisma- implications of ahisma for racial equality

  Hinduism is so diverse that it sees religion and racial tolerance as normal . The concept of Varna teaches that all society is interdependent and all people are to be treated with equal respect
• Concept of ahisma - practicality of ahisma in the modern world

  Many believe it people adapted the principles of ahisma , conflict and violence would be curbed and perhaps and end to war. Believe gandhi's interpretation is more relevant than ever. Many say peaceful protests don't work . Many believe it's an impractical way in the twenty first century. Principles of ahisma will not work with today's problems.
• What does puja in the home look like ?

  Most popular form of puja. Conducted by most senior women in the house. Shrine- colourful and bright with food,fragrance,light. Pictures of dieties kept in rooms except toilet- ritually uncleanest room. Shrine= kitchen as it's usually cleanest room. Murtis kept in cupboards ,opened for puja. Puja included washing and dressing dieties, offering them water, fragrance, flowers. Ends with offering vegetarian food. Immediately followed by arti ceremony
• What does puja in the temple involve ?

  Hindus call at their local Mandir whenever possible. Larger temples, highly decorative , murtis are dressed in colourful clothes and jewellery. Some temples family sits togethers, usually men and women sit separate on the floor. No prescribed time for worship. Priest begins temple worship by lighting the sacred fire and burning small pieces of wood. Then performs the havan ceremony. Another ceremony is arti, this is the offering of love and devotion to the diety
• The importance of the relationship between individual devotees and dieties 


  Relationship is personal. Devotional Hinduism is based on love of the devotees for god. Love is the basis of the relationship. Expressed in many ways - no specific rules that must be followed. Scriptures and law books provide guidelines but following them is an individual choice. Offering of food to the deities at the home or temple shrine allows many hindus ​to serve god.