Presentation Transcript
Eastern Geography: Eastern Geography Hinduism: Beliefs
Creation: Creation “Creation is a separation of many out of one”
Human Goal: to become one again with “God”
Time is circular (like the seasons)
What has been will come again
Morality: Morality Reincarnation: the soul is immortal
The soul is reborn in various forms
Karma: cosmic balance sheet
More good deeds: better rebirth
More bad deeds: lower rebirth
Reality: Reality Maya: “illusion”
Everything your senses register isn’t true reality Moksha: release from rebirth
Soul joins God in true reality
Loss of individuality, reabsorbed into God
Problems: Problems Rta: cosmic order
Can get out of balance
Humans can loose their way
Vishnu comes to earth to fix the balance
Vishnu = personification of God
“Avatar” = god in flesh, image of God
Avatar of Vishnu = Krishna (fleshed god)
Sacred Texts: Sacred Texts Vedas: from 1200-500 BC
Aryan and native Indian mix, hymns
Ramayana: 400-200 BC
Shows ideal man and woman, righteous path
Mahabharata: 200 BC – 400 AD
Realistic depictions of people, death of Krishna, spiral towards immorality
Caste System: Caste System Early Structure
1. Kshatriyas (warriors, kings)
2. Brahmans (priests)
3. Vaisyas (merchants, farmers)
4. Sudras (laborers)
5. Pariahs (untouchables)
…later, top two switch places
Duty: Duty Dharma: duty
Varies according to class, age, gender
Purpose: to maintain society, cosmic order Fulfilling Duty:
Helping to keep world going, avoiding catastrophe
Duty (continued): Duty (continued) Some duties are the same
Must marry within one’s caste
Reverence for cows (sacred) Each caste more “pure” than one below
Even touching a pariah contaminates you spiritually, ritually
Escape from Caste: Escape from Caste Only way:
Obey dharma (duty)
Get reborn into higher caste Brahmans are main candidates for Moksha (release)