Introduction to Hindu Sacred Literature - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

1 / 20
About This Presentation
Title:

Introduction to Hindu Sacred Literature

Description:

of the four Varnas (classes/caste system) ... 900-200BC Movement to Ganges Valley. Time of Upanishads. Monism (Buddhism & Jainism emerge) ... – PowerPoint PPT presentation

Number of Views:779
Avg rating:3.0/5.0
Slides: 21
Provided by: cwu
Category:

less

Transcript and Presenter's Notes

Title: Introduction to Hindu Sacred Literature


1
Introduction to Hindu Sacred Literature
2
  • Hindu gt Sanskrit /sindhu/
  • to flow river
  • Indus River in NW India
  • Sanatana Dharma
  • eternal way

3
Hindus define themselves as
  • A community who believe in the Vedas
  • follow the Dharma (way)
  • Righteous social behavior, practices, beliefs
    that lead to moksha (liberation) from samsara
    (reincarnation)
  • of the four Varnas (classes/caste system)
  • Brahmin (priests), Ksatriya (warriors), Vaisya
    (farmers/merchants), Sudra (servants)
  • at each Ashrama (stage in life)
  • Student, married, retired, ascetic

4
Background for beliefs practices
  • Indus Valley 2500-1800BC
  • no texts emphasis on nature
  • Vedic Civilization 1500-900BC
  • Indo-Aryan invaders indigenous culture
  • Time of the Vedas
  • Polytheism? Henotheism?
  • 900-200BC Movement to Ganges Valley
  • Time of Upanishads
  • Monism
  • (Buddhism Jainism emerge)
  • Classical Hindu Civilization 200BC-AD500
  • Epic literature
  • Puranas literature
  • Codification of sacred laws

5
Nature of the Absolute
  • Henotheism one superior god in the presence of
    lesser gods
  • Indigenous gods
  • Indra (storm), Agni (fire), Soma (sacred plant)
  • Brahman ground of all the gods
  • Trimurti (of Brahman)
  • Brahma (creator), Shiva (destroyer), Vishnu
    (preserver)
  • Personal gods e.g. Kali or Krishna

6
Hindu Sacred Literature
  • Shruti what is heard
  • From the gods
  • No syllable changed
  • Smriti what is remembered
  • Oral tradition
  • Can improvise

7
Shruti Literature
  • Four Vedas
  • Rig Veda 1028 hymns
  • codified, c. 1000BC, in Sanskrit
  • Hymns in praise of gods
  • Sama Veda
  • Hymns to be chanted at sacrifices with soma
  • C. 900-800BC (from those in Rig Veda)
  • Yajur Veda
  • Hymns, prayers for priestly use
  • C. 700-600BC
  • Atharva Veda
  • Domestic hymns, 600BC

8
Shruti (cont.)
  • Upanishads
  • sitting under/beneath the feet of the master
  • Divinely inspired philosophical writings
  • Closing of Vedic literature
  • Emphasize
  • Brahman Atman (divine Self in every being)
  • Monism belief in absolute essence not deity
  • Samsara (rebirth) depends on karma (ones
    actions)
  • Moksha (liberation) by detachment from world
  • Dhyana (meditation) is a way to moksha

9
Smriti Literature
  • Epic literature
  • Mahabharata Story of the bharata (first
    Indians)
  • 200,000 lines
  • Dispute over the kingdom of Kuruksetra
  • Book Six Bhagavad Gita
  • Conversation between Krishna (avatar of Vishnu)
    Arjuna teaching on yoga (union, yoking)
  • Karma yoga selfless action
  • Jnana yoga highest wisdom
  • Bhakti yoga yoga of devotion/love
  • Ramayana
  • Journey of Rama to recover wife stolen by demon
    Ravana
  • 50,000 lines
  • c. 550BC-AD350

10
Smriti Literature (cont.)
  • Puranas Stories of Old
  • Legends, myths creation, history, destruction of
    the world
  • Emphasis on tri-murti
  • Stories of edification for lower castes and women
  • Laws of Manu
  • Primordial father of the human race
  • First ruler of earth who instituted religious
    ceremonies
  • Noah of India
  • Codified 200BC-AD200

11
Readings
  • Rig Veda
  • Creation Hymn
  • Purusha, the Cosmic Person
  • Hymns to Agni, to Indra
  • Upanishads
  • Skim until you connect with one teaching
  • Bhagavad Gita
  • Read in entirety

12
Chandogya UpanishadThe Banyan Tree
13
(No Transcript)
14
(No Transcript)
15
(No Transcript)
16
(No Transcript)
17
(No Transcript)
18
(No Transcript)
19
(No Transcript)
20
(No Transcript)
Write a Comment
User Comments (0)
About PowerShow.com