Bonnie Wang

Hinduism
Origins:
-

The term hinduism came into existence when British writers in the
1800s named it after the Indus River (a large river which runs along
the north and west borders of India)
o Known as Sanatana Dharma in India (translation: eternal
law/religion)
o Emerged as a crossover between the values of the Indus
Valley and Aryan tribes (Vedism)
Generally considered the oldest world religion as it started around
1500 BC
No single founder/leader

Hinduism can be split up into three segments known as:

-

Vedas (1500 500 BC)

Upanishads (1000 300BC)
Smriti (500BC 300AD)

Vedas (wisdom):
-

Refers to the earliest writings of Hindium (1500- 500 BC), reflecting

the beliefs of the Vedic religion of the Aryan settlers
The four main Vedas are:
o Wisdom of Verses (Rig-veda): collection of 1000 hymns which
were sung to keep gods in favour. Animal sacrifices, fire
offerings, hallucinogenic plant juice
o Wisdom of the Sacrificial Formulas (Yajur-veda): words said by
priests as the rituals above took place
o Wisdom of the Chants (Sama-veda): verses from the first Rigveda but with fixed melodies and instructions
o Wisdom of the Atharvan Priests (Atharva-veda): Collection of
hymns, prayers and curses that are more magical
Vedas contains a belief in a variety of Gods = polytheism
The main gods at this time were Indra (warrior and storm god), Agni
(god of fire), Soma (god associated with plant juice), Vishnu and
Siva/Shiva also make minor appearances
The two main rituals in the Vedas were Soma (priest pours plant
juice over altar and drinks it, communicating special powers and
favours to worshippers) and the fire ritual (priest sets animal on fire
on an altar believed to be a manifestation of Agni and that
blessings will be granted once the sacrifice is burnt up)

Bonnie Wang

Upanishads (sitting near):

-

Also known as Vedanta

Came as gurus began to reflect on the content of their religion
(1000 300 BC)
Contains parables, anecdotes, philosophical argumentation,
dialogues, poems and proverbs
The five important beliefs of the Upanishads are:
o Brahman (the background force of the universe, the source of
everything and where everything will finally return. Ultimate
and Only reality in the universe = pantheistic religion. Hindus
often concentrate on Brahmans emanations e.g. Vishnu/Siva)
o Atman (reflection of the eternal life force in every living
creature, the eternal you which lies behind everyday
consciousness. Atman is a part of you from Brahman)
o Samsara (Atmans cycle of entrapment, being reborn into the
physical world. Karma is the cause of this)
o Karma (all your actions in life attach to you and determine
your re-existence and Samsara. The ultimate goal for a Hindu
is to not come back at all)
o Moksha (release from re-existence so you can go back the
Brahman the source of true existence)

Smriti (remembered writings):

-

The two most important writings are [Romance of Rama (Ramayana)

300BC] and Great Epic of the [Bharata Dynasty (Mahabharata)
200BC]
Romance of Rama (love story about Rama and Princess Sita
Hanuman (monkey god) and Rama (god of virtue).
Great Epic of the Bharata Dynasty (centres around a conversation
between Prince Arjuna and Krishna later found to be reincarnated
Vishnu. The conversation is known as the Bhagavad-gita (Song of
the lord))

The four castes:

-

Priests (Brahman) Thought to be blessed with nearness to the

return to Brahman
Warrior-kings (Ksatriya) Thought to be original descendants of the
commanders of the Vedic state
Common people (Vaisyas) Thought to be the descendants of the
original Aryan people
Servants (Sudras) Role to serve the three upper classes. This
position is the result of his/her karma. Cannot participate in Dvija

Bonnie Wang

The three paths to liberation:

-

Path of duties (karma-yoga)

Path of knowledge (jnana-yoga)
Path of devotion (bhakti-yoga)

Path of Duties:
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To continue ones duty (dharma) and caste

Detachment from your actions (e.g. what traps you in a cycle is
fruititive activity activities done with a desire for certain outcomes)
Duties outlined in the Laws of Manu (1st century BC)

Path of knowledge:
-

Goal is to rise above the karmic-effects which tie you to the world
Attained through self-denial, reciting of ancient scriptures, avoiding
action altogether)

Path of devotion:
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The most dominant form of Hinduism

Escaping entrapment through devoting yourself fully to a god,
preferably Krishna
The two schools of Hinduism are Vaishnavism and Saivism

Devotion to Vishnu:
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Two most popular incarnation are Rama and Krishna

Friend and preserver of humanity
Thought to embody the preserving qualities of Brahman
Worshipped as deities active in society for good

Devotion to Siva:
-

Master over nature and human beings

Capable of unpredictable acts of domination