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Paths of discussion - Is Hinduism a geo-specific religion
Philosophical structure of ‘Hinduism’
Role of Hinduism in daily life
India is the birth place of: Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism.
Hinduism = 80% of its population
Other major religions include: Islam (Muslim)
Christianity (Catholic)
Sikhism (Sikh)
Buddhism (Buddhist)
Jainism (Jain)
Zoroastrianism (Parsi)
Judaism (Jew)
Largest Hindu population outside India by numbers Nepal
Bangladesh
Pakistan
Indonesia
Malaysia
Sri Lanka
USA
UK ranks #13
Last on the list? Maldives, with 37 individuals.
Communal / Generic Homes: Doorways & entrance, kitchens, prayer spaces
Artifacts: Idol worship, symbolism via shapes & forms, prayer beads
Food: Turmeric, curry powder, spices, sweet
Rituals – especially elaborate weddings
Dancing, festivities, henna
Chanting & pilgrimages
Bollywood ?
Individual / Specific Attire: Turbans, sari’s, tunics,
harem pants
Personal Adornments: Bangles, anklets, gold, ‘dot’, jewelry on men.
Appearance: Skin tone, hair, personal grooming
If you arranged those cues in a single room
or
See them on a single individual …
Would that make that space or that person
Hindu?
Guiding Principles, Sacred Texts & Brahman
Know = Sruti = knowledge => Vedas
Understand = Shruti = philosophy => Upanishad
Live = Smriti = examples => Epics
Embody / Share = Stuti = praise => Bhakti
Remember = Purana = manifestations => Examples / stories
Brahman
The source of all
existence
1. Vedas
2.Upanishad
Philosophy
3. Epics
Karma /
Dharma
4. Puranas
Examples
5. Bhakti
Devotion
Sruti = the spoken words, or knowledge
FOUR texts with invocations for rituals and ceremonies RgVeda – addressed to divine powers
Samaveda – for sacrifices
Yajurveda – commentaries on the RgVeda and Samaveda
Atharv-veda – to dispel ‘evil’ including enemies, diseases etc.
There is conflicting information about whether Ayurveda originated as an extension of Atharv-veda. Ayurveda is written as a separate text called ‘Sushruta Samhita’
Esoteric knowledge passed from teacher to disciple
Relationship between the Infinite / Universal Spirit Brahman and Immortal Individual Spirit – Atman
Introduce the concept of ‘Maya’ or illusion
Introduces the word ‘Aum’
Enactment of philosophies from Upanishads
Depictions of how Brahman and Atman are connected
Includes Ramayana, Mahabharata and others
Chariots of the Pandavas, at Mahabalipuram, TN, India. 1st Century BC
Ramayana – Story of Rama & Sita ‘Idealistic’ world: Rama, Sita,
Laxmana, Hanuman, and others
Mahabharata - The war between the Kaurava’s and Pandava’s Includes the Bhagwad Gita
Identifies the principles of Karma (actions) & Dharma (duty)
Discusses human pursuit of Arth(Wealth), Kam (love), and Moksha(Salvation)
Bhakti movement – Stuti
Stuti = praise or devotion
Worship through praise, hymns, prayers, songs, pilgrimages etc.
5. Puranas The Holy Trinity of Hinduism –
Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva
Avatars / Balance of power
Stories about Gods and Goddesses
Good v/s evil, creative v/s destructive forces Adornment of pilgrimage path to a
hilltop shrine in Maharashtra, India.
Sruti, SHruti, Smriti & Stuti
Communications with the divine, recognizing the divine powers
Manifestations - simple daily prayers, seasonal or annual observances and rituals
The Kalasha – a pot decorated for a
prayer ceremony. It represents fertility
and abundance.
Adopting the philosophies of the Upanishads in daily life Brahman – is the single source of knowledge
and existence. Brahman guides all further creation
Maya – Life as we know it. It is an illusion, temporary and takes one away from Brahman
Atman – or individual immortal spirit that must remain free of the attachments of Maya, in order to be one with Brahman
Manifestation – Being self-less, service to elders, to community
Many idols depict
representations of learning
or wisdom
Living By Example: Karma and Dharma
Karma cause and effect
Dharma Duties towards: divine, self and fellow individuals
Manifestations during the 4 stages of life – Childhood – education, knowledge building, learning the Vedas
Youth – service to elders, grasping the concepts of the Upanishads
Adulthood – marriage and progeny, contributions to society, adopting the principles of Karma and Dharma
Old age – penance, reflection, practicing Smriti
Offerings at a Temple, Delhi, India
Devotion to the Divine Brahman is another path to Salvation
Manifestations = prayer ceremonies, offerings, discourses, chanting, meditation, pilgrimage
Top: Blue lotus offerings for a Goddess,
Maharashtra, India.
Bottom – right: The Varkari’s of Pandharpur, a
group of pilgrims that make a barefoot
journey in praise of Lord Vithoba, an
incarnation of Vishnu / Krishna. The
pilgrimage route is several hundred miles
long.
Men and women carry the idol of Vithoba, as
well as a pot containing a Tulsi plant,
representing his consort Rakhumai /
Rukhmini, on their heads.
Puranas
Brahma (not Brahman): creator of Universe Originated from Brahman in a lotus,
sees in all 4 directions , wrote the Vedas
Vishnu The essence of existence, returns to
earth as an Avatar to restore balance
Shiva: transformer Destroyer of universe; forms represents
asceticism, penance and balance.
Top to bottom: Brahma, Vishnu and
Shiva, with Parvati
Symbolism on typical Hindu doorways:
ॐSWASTIK SHREE AUM / OM
Brahma Vishnu Shiva
Represents
Origin Eternal Good One-ness
Knowledge Balance Complete
Complimentary energies / consort
Saraswati Lakshmi Devi
Shaivites - Those who worship Shiva
Vaishnavites - Those who worship Vishnu
Shaktis – Those who worship the Female / Devi’s
Curse of Savitri on Brahma Softening of this curse on account of Gayatri’s intervention.
Curse of Shiva on Brahma Brahma’s infatuation with a woman, the creation of his 4 heads and his
curse to be constantly reciting the Veda’s
Shiva as supreme: because he embodies both creation and destruction.
All forms of naturally existing energies are Deva(God) or Devi (Goddess).
Deva = Shiva = source of all energies that are male Shiva = Harihara, Mahadeva, Natraja and others
Devi = Shakti = source of all energies female Shakti = Devi, Durga, Amba, Chandi, Kali and others
Vishnu = the human form Avatars of Vishnu
Deva = Male forms of Gods = sustenance, one half of creation
Devi = Female representations = nurture, second half of creation
Durga Devi celebrations for Navratri in Mumbai, India
Incarnations w/ specific stories
Divine Intervention
Vishnu = Ten avatars Matsya (fish) Kuruma (tortoise) Varaha (boar) Narasimha (half-man half-lion) Vamana (priest) Parashuram (the priest) Rama (the hero of Ramayana) Krishna (cowherd, recited the Bhagwat Gita,
and a key character of Mahabharata) Buddha (the enlightened one) and Kalaki – the one who is yet to come.
Krishna, the cowherd.
Highlight flawed nature of deva’s and devi’s
Discuss the battles between good & evil (eg. Ramayana)
Describe the balance between creative & destructive forces (eg. Shiva and Parvati)
An early temple to Shiva, Parvati and Ganesha,
in the temples of Mahabalipuram, TN, c. 1st
century BC
Most common in Hindu life Festivals:
Celebrate the epics and the Puranas and are based in the lunar calendar.
Idol worship Reverence to avatars for their unique role
in the protection of the universe.
Creating micro environments Reverence to the larger story.
Top: Effegy of Ravan for the
observance of Dasserah
during Navratri.
Bottom: Temporary altar
created for a house blessing.
Source: The Myths of Hindus and Buddhist
A K Coomaraswamy & Sister Nivedita
