Asian Concepts of the Self: Hinduism

OBJECTIVES:

1. Be able to discuss the contributions of the ancient Indian civilization.

2. Be able to discuss the important concepts of the Hindu religion as illustrated in the Upanishads and other texts.

3. Be able to compare/contrast the Hindu view of the self with the European views we have studied.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT:

India developed what many historians refer to as "The Empire of the Spirit." Hinduism is one of the world's most tolerant religions, in which reverence for life in all its various forms is a key tenet. The Vedic literature spoke of an Absolute Spirit which encompassed all, and raised humanity to new heights as the quintessential expression of the Divine. Even the ancient Indus River Valley culture reflects these ideals, giving evidence of a peace-loving society which valued cleanliness and purity. These are still the ideals of India today, which stands as the world's oldest culture in continuous existence.

They reckon ill who leave me out;
When me they fly, I am the wings;
I am the doubter and the doubt;
And I the hymn the Brahmin sings.
If the red slayer thinks he slays, or if they slain think he is slain,
They know not well the subtle ways I keep, and pass, and turn again.

Emerson, Brahma

OUTLINE

I. Origins of Indian Civilization

A. The Indus and Ganges Rivers

B. origin of words "India" and "Hindu"

i. importance of Sanskrit

C. importance of Indian culture for western society

i. Arabic numerals

ii. mathematics

ii. rta -- unified world order iv. use of iron, steel, cotton cloth

II. Early centers of Indian civilization

A. Harappa and Mohenjo Daro

B. First discoveries -- 1850's

i. the British in India: the fate of Harappa

ii. clay seals -- later Hindu features

iii. writing -- undeciphered character of language and relation to other cultures in region

III. Hinduism

A. Indo-Europeans

i. conquest of North India

ii. The Rig Veda: the warriors and the conquered:

Indra

The beginnings of Hinduism

Parusha of 1,000 eyes

the creation of the castes

B. Vedic period -- 1700-500 b.c.

late Vedic -- 1000-500 b.c. (Brahamanic Age)

i. evolution of Sanskrit; Hindu religion

ii. Veda=knowledge

Rig Veda

Mahabharata

Ramayana

Bhagavad Gita

Upanishads:

What are the Upanishads?

world's oldest religious texts still in use

last of the Vedas

"teachings received at the feet of the master"

C. content of the Vedas/character of Hinduism

i. Hinduism as a way of life vs. organized religion, reverence for founders (Jesus, prophets), or Biblical Scriptures.

ii. Stages of Belief:

a) Brahman/atman-inner Brahman implications

b) The nature of Brahman:

1. can it be understood or grasped through the senses?

2. logic vs. intuition

3. Yoga as means of knowledge

c) dharma=duty atman-eternal soul=unity with the divine

d) Karma=consequences of actions: the Bhagavad Gita

e) samsara=reincarnation

f) mokshe -- unity with the Godhead

g)consequences: tolerance non-violence (ahimsa)

iii. The forms of Hindu belief

a) Ishwara -- what the mind can know of God

b) 3 persons: Brahma=creator

Vishnu=preserver

Shiva=destroyer

forms of representation

the cyclical nature of reality

samsara seen in the Trinity

330 million gods: varieties of religious experience

iv. freedom of choosing one's path

a) everyone free to follow their conscience:

different incarnations of the divine= Jesus, Buddha, many more.

b) 330 million Gods =totality of all living things

emphasis on one supreme God, Brahman

IV. General Summation: contrast of modern western values/lifestyle with India