HINDUISM

Hinduism (Sanātana Dharma)

 Hinduism is the world's third most popular religion,

with around 750 million followers. The religion of
Hinduism originated in Northern India, near the river
Indus, about 4000 years ago and is the world's oldest
existing religion.
 Hinduism is practised by more than 80% of India's
population.
 Hinduism is a religion, or a way of life widely practiced
in the Indian subcontinent. Hinduism has been called the
oldest religion in the world, and some practitioners and
scholars refer to it as Sanātana Dharma, "the eternal
tradition," or the "eternal way," beyond human history.
A. FOUNDER: Aryans (1500 BC)
 There is no single founder or founding incident of
Hinduism. It grew out of cultural and religious changes
in India.
 The Hindu belief is that gods or divinities can take
many forms, but all form one universal spirit called
Brahman.
 The three most important representations of Brahman
are:
 Brahma, the creator of the universe.
 Vishnu, the preserver of the universe.
 Shiva, the destroyer of the universe.
B. SACRED TEXTS: Vedas,
Upanishads, Bhagavad-gita
 Vedas
The Vedas contain hymns, incantations, and rituals from ancient
India. Along with the Book of the Dead, the Enuma Elish, the I
Ching, and the Avesta, they are among the most ancient religious
texts still in existence.
There are four Vedas:
 Rig Veda
 Sama Veda
 Yajur Veda
 Atharva Veda

The Vedas are the primary texts of Hinduism. They also had a
vast influence on Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism.
 Upanishads
The Upanishads are a continuation of the Vedic
philosophy, and were written between 800 and 400
B.C. They elaborate on how the soul (Atman) can be
united with the ultimate truth (Brahman) through
contemplation and mediation, as well as the doctrine
of Karma-- the cumulative effects of a persons'
actions.
 Bhagavad-gita
The Bhagavad Gita, usually considered part of the
sixth book of the Mahabharata (dating from about 400
or 300 B.C.), is a central text of Hinduism, a
philosphical dialog between the god Krishna and the
warrior Arjuna. This is one of the most popular and
accessible of all Hindu scriptures, required reading for
anyone interested in Hinduism. The Gita discusses
selflessness, duty, devotion, and meditation, integrating
many different threads of Hindu philosophy.
C. DOCTRINES:
FOUR GOALS OF HINDUISM
1. Dharma = Duty (Leading a virtuous life)
Dharma is an important term in Indian religions. In Hinduism it means 'duty',
'virtue', 'morality', even 'religion' and it refers to the power which upholds the
universe and society. Hindus generally believe that dharma was revealed in the
Vedas although a more common word there for 'universal law' or
'righteousness' is rita. Dharma is the power that maintains society, it makes the
grass grow, the sun shine, and makes us moral people or rather gives humans
the opportunity to act virtuously.

But acting virtuously does not mean precisely the same for everyone; different
people have different obligations and duties according to their age, gender, and
social position. Dharma is universal but it is also particular and operates within
concrete circumstances. Each person therefore has their own dharma known as
sva-dharma. What is correct for a woman might not be for a man or what is
correct for an adult might not be for a child.
2. Kama = Pleasure
Kama is pleasure, and it refers to the desires of the mind
and the physical body. It is the human desire for passion
and emotion. In other words, it's ok to love; it's ok to
experience attraction and desire. In fact, the Hindus' god of
love is actually named Kama. From this name comes the
famous and very ancient Hindu guide to the physical
expression of love known as the Kamasutra.

Although kama, or pleasure, is a permissible goal, a

spiritually maturing Hindu will realize it is not the end all
to life. There is more to strive for. This brings us to our
next goal, Artha.
3. Artha = Wealth
Simply put, artha can be loosely translated as wealth and
power, and according to the goals of Hinduism, it's ok to want
these two things. In fact, the pursuit of them is considered
noble since a person needs them in order to raise a family and
keep a household.

This is especially true for those who exist in the upper classes,
or castes, of Hindu society. For them, artha, or wealth, is
sought after in order to fulfill one's destiny. In other words,
some were made to be rulers and kings; others were made to
be beggars. Those who were made to be kings have every
right to seek wealth and power. It's not just a noble goal; it's
their duty and the best way to keep society in balance. If they
are born into the upper ranks of Hindu society, then by all
means, they can seek wealth.
4. Moksha = Liberation
Moksha means liberation, realization of the Self, and is the
ultimate destination of this human birth. It is the stage of
inner realization that the individual self is the same as the
Supreme Self. It is the experience of the cosmos within
one's self. It is the experience of the flow and fusion of the
Shiva and Shakti energies in one's self. It is the experience
of union, oneness, Ekatvam, with the Universe.
Brahman
Brahman is a Sanskrit word which refers to a transcendent
power beyond the universe. As such, it is sometimes
translated as 'God' although the two concepts are not
identical. Brahman is the power which upholds and
supports everything. According to some Hindus this power
is identified with the self (atman) while others regard it as
distinct from the self.

Most Hindus agree that Brahman pervades everything

although they do not worship Brahman. Some Hindus
regard a particular deity or deities as manifestations of
Brahman.
Atman
Atman means 'eternal self'. The atman refers to the real
self beyond ego or false self. It is often referred to as
'spirit' or 'soul' and indicates our true self or essence which
underlies our existence.

The idea of atman entails the idea of the self as a spiritual

rather than material being and thus there is a strong
dimension of Hinduism which emphasises detachment
from the material world and promotes practices such as
asceticism. Thus it could be said that in this world, a
spiritual being, the atman, has a human experience rather
than a human being having a spiritual experience.
The Identification of Atman and Brahman
 First is "atman" - loosely translated, this means "soul" or "individual soul." Atman
refers to the essence of each individual living thing - its soul or primary living
energy. Each living thing - people, animals, plants - have an atman that forms each
thing's eternal essence. The atman is not the body; the body is not eternal. The body
houses the atman until the body dies. Atman is immortal and eternal.

 Brahman is "world soul" or "cosmic soul." It is the eternal essence of the universe
and the ultimate divine reality. It is the life source of all that has been, is and will be
throughout the entire cosmos. It is not an individual being - it is more like the primal
ground or reality of all being and existence.

 So, the phrase "atman is Brahman" is saying, quite simply, that the individual soul is
the world soul.

 In other words, each individual soul - say, yours or mine - comes from and is made
of the same reality as the world soul. There is no distinction between us, on the one
hand, and the ultimate divine reality, on the other.
THE FOUR YOGAS
 Jnana Yoga (Yoga of Knowdlege): Jnana Yoga is the path of knowledge,
wisdom, introspection and contemplation. It involves deep exploration of
the nature our being by systematically exploring and setting aside false
identities.

 Bhakti Yoga(Yoga of Devotion): Bhakti Yoga is the path of devotion,

emotion, love, compassion, and service to God and others. All actions are
done in the context of remembering the Divine.

 Karma Yoga(Yoga of Work): Karma Yoga is the path of action, service to

others, mindfulness, and remembering the levels of our being while
fulfilling our actions or karma in the world.

 Raja Yoga(Yoga of Psychological Exercises): Raja Yoga is a comprehensive

method that emphasizes meditation, while encompassing the whole of Yoga.
It directly deals with the encountering and transcending thoughts of the
mind.
D. GOD: 33 MILLION GODS &
GODDESSES
 There are four main Veda that are as follows:
Atharva Veda
Yajur Veda
Rig Veda
Sam Veda
Atharva Veda and Yajur Veda referred Sanskrit word 'trayastrimsati
koti Bhagwan'. This is a compound word made up 'traystrim' + 'sati' +
'bhagwan'. Here 'traystrim' means 'thirty-three' and 'koti' have two
meanings, one is crore, and another means 'supreme' and 'bhagwan'
means 'pure soul'. Thus, when the Rigveda is translated, 33 Gods are
interpreted as 33 million Gods.
In the end, it can be concluded that there are 33 Hindu deities only,
and other Hindu Gods and Goddesses are only their manifestations.
These 33 Gods are the aspects of one Supreme Soul.
QUIZ TIME 
1. What is the meaning of Sanatana Dharma?
2. If Bhraman is creator of the universe, who is
Vishnu?
3. This is means the Liberation or realization of
the self.
4-6. Give at least 3 of the Goal of Hinduism.
7-10. Give the 4 types of Yoga