MAJOR CONCEPTS IN HINDUISM

HINDU WORLDVIEW AND PURPOSE

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTBE2NQnG5A – the meaning and significance of dharma in Hindu tradition

• In Hinduism the goal is to reach moksha, or release from samsara.

• Moksha is also the reunion of the atman with Brahman.• In Hindu society, social order is significant in determining dharma (or righteous duty), and morality.

• Traditionally, society is divided into castes.

THE CASTE SYSTEM

Traditionally, Aryans were in the “twice born” castes and could read the Vedas. Non-Aryans were low caste.

ISSUES RELATED TO CASTE

• Equality exists within castes but not between them.• Justice (responsibility and consequences) is

dependent on caste:• High caste people have higher penalties

(sometimes 4x higher) for breaking the law.• Lower castes have fewer rules regarding eating

meat, remarriage.• Caste is rejected by the Buddha and reformed by

Gandhi.

HOW DOES A PERSON KNOW THEIR DHARMA?

• Hindus believe caste comes from karma of past lives.• Determined by gender, stage of life, path and

caste.• The 4 traditional stages of life:• Student• Householder• Forest Dweller/Retirement• Ascetic/Wanderer

PATHS TO SALVATION

• The ultimate goal of Hindu life is moksha.• The way the goal is reached is flexible.• Paths are called either yoga (union, yoking) or

marga (path)• Path of action/work (karma yoga) • Path of knowledge/theory (jnana yoga)• Path of devotion/emotion (bhakti yoga)• The Royal Path (rajah yoga) – controlling the mind

DETERMINE THE DHARMA!

Know your DHARMA

To get good KARMA

To escape SAMSARA

To achieve MOKSHA

DETERMINE THE DHARMA

• In your small group:• Determine the dharma, good and bad karma for

each person.1. A married mother of 3 who works part time.2. A retired man whose wife has died.3. A male high school student with a younger

brother.4. A high caste Hindu man.

MOKSHA VS EARTHLY GOALS

• Hinduism accepts that moksha may be a distant goal. • Goals for earthly life: • Sensual pleasure (kama) – within appropriate

context• Material success (artha) – honest earning• Right conduct (dharma) – practicing compassion,

purity, goodness

HINDU RIGHTEOUS LIVING

• People can get good karma by living a life of kama, artha and dharma• eventually people need to give these up - karmic

system keeps people bound to samsara• Hindus will need to devote their entire life to God

to be released from samsara.