What is Hinduism:
By many, Hinduism is considered the oldest world religion. However, the title of “World Religion” is a misnomer. Hindu, meaning one from the region of the Indus river (India), was a title ascribed to the people of India and Hinduism was a title given to an amalgamation of all of the religious traditions of the region. British scholars of the nineteenth century, in an attempt to understand the religious traditions of India, grouped the various religions under one title: Hinduism.
While Hinduism may be a creation of western scholars, that is not to say there is no consistency among the various religions that make-up Hinduism. In fact, there is enough consistency that the formation of Hinduism as an all encompassing title is appropriate.
Consisting of more than 500 million people, Hinduism is perhaps the least structured religion (due primarily to its artificial consolidation). Hinduism has no identifiable origin or founder. Hinduism has no official scripture, or institutional organization. Hinduism is neither polytheistic nor monotheistic. Some Hindus may worship at a temple, while others may never step foot into a temple.
Origins of Hinduism:
As stated previously, Hinduism has no official founder or origin. However, most scholars believe Hinduism formed (or at least transformed) in 1500 B.C. with the occupation of the Indo-European Aryans. However, predating the invasion of the Aryans, archaeologists have discovered goddess figurines and a seal with a figured sitting in a yoga position. This leads most archaeologist to believe that Hinduism, in some form, predates the Aryan invasion. What we know to be modern Hinduism is probably a combination of ancient Hindu beliefs and the teachings of the Aryans. With them, the Aryans brought the world’s first and oldest religious scripture, the Rig-Veda (Book of Saving Knowledge).
The arrival of the Aryans and introduction of the Rig-Veda marks the beginning of what is called the Vedic period. This lasted from 1500 B.C. until 300 B.C. During this time, three other Vedas were written; Sama-Veda, Yagur-Veda, and Antharua-Veda, non were as important or influential as the Rig-Veda. Vedism (from Vedas) did not teach the Caste System, nor do we have any reason to believe it taught reincarnation. The Vedas was nothing more than a collection of Aryan songs and poems.
Between 1000 and 600 B.C., two schools of thought arose within Vedism: The Brahmanas (1000 – 800 B.C.), who taught strict adherence to the Law, and The Upanishads (800 – 600 B.C.), who sought to analyze and study the Vedas. These schools of thought led to the development of many divers philosophical branches. It also led to the formation of approximately 33 million Gods and Goddesses, all believed to be manifestations of one God, Brahman. This variety of thought gradually became what we know to be Hinduism.
Hindu Beliefs:
The beliefs of Hinduism are complex and cannot be fully understood unless you understand the Teachings of Hinduism (below). However, the teachings of Hinduism cannot be fully understood unless you understand the beliefs of Hinduism. This paradox is difficult to overcome. Below are the beliefs of Hinduism. If you fail to understand the beliefs, try reading the Teaching of Hinduism then reading the beliefs again:
- God, called Brahman is unknowable. Despite Brahman’s inexplicable nature, some sects of Hinduism describe Brahman in great detail.
- Brahman is absolute. Everything, living and non-living, including other gods, are manifestations or faces of Brahman. This includes your soul (Atman).
- All religions are true as they all originate from Brahman.
- Every man and woman has an atman (soul). Atman, although uniquely yours, are faces of Brahman (God). Certain animals such as Cows and Snakes are believed to also have atmans, this is why they are sacred.
- The goal of all Hindus is to know themselves (their atman). By finding yourself, you can find the face of Brahman.
- Totality of creation has a single soul which animates everything.
- Everything is ever changing and as a result, not real. Everything is an illusion (maya), a manifestation of Brahman. Only Brahman is real.
- There is no Good or Evil, only different levels of self-awareness.
- Heaven, or Nirvana, is the union of your atman with Brahman and freedom from the cycle of death and rebirth. This liberation from a cycle of death and rebirth is called Moksha. Like a drop of water returning to the ocean, you lose your personal identity and become part of Brahman.
- Until one finds themselves, and as a result the face of Brahman, they are subjected to samsara, a cycle of death and rebirth through which one works out their Karma.
- Karma is the effect of your actions upon this life and all lives to follow.
- Dharma is the order of the cosmos and the ethical behavior of those in it. Dharma imposes karma until moksha is achieved and the atman is liberated from the cycle of samsara.
- The atman must go somewhere when it is released from the body (death). Depending on your level of self-awareness and closeness to Brahman, you will be reincarnated into a greater or lesser level of participation in the life of Brahman.
- The Caste you are reborn (reincarnated) into depends upon your karma (The Castes are described in Teachings of Hinduism, below).
Teachings of Hinduism:
Four Stages of Consciousness:
The Hindu experiences life in four different stages of consciousness:
1) Ordinary Waking Consciousness
This is the consciousness experienced as one goes through the day-to-day tasks of life.
2) Imagination, Fantasy, and Dream
This is the consciousness experienced when dreaming, day dreaming, or thinking. When reading a good book (or internet article) the world in your head may be more real than the world around you.
3) Prajna
“Sleeping without Dreams”, in this state one is free from thought. Because the human mind can only think about so many things, it is limited. Detaching yourself from thought frees your mind from limitations.
4) The Om Sate
“Om” is believed to be the sound by which the universe was created. The Om State is the consciousness achieved when one connect to the atman.
Life and life’s journey:
The Brahamanas and Upanishads:
Between 1000 and 600 B.C., two schools of thought developed that ultimately formed what we know to be Hinduism:
The Brahamanas
(1000 – 800 B.C.), taught a priestly caste was crucial for salvation. The Brahamanas insisted on commitment to the written law.
The Upanishads
(800 – 600 B.C.), stressed personal effort was crucial for salvation and that contemplation and asceticism was more important than assistance from a priestly caste. The Upanishads taught two principles: The Way of the Society and the Way of the Yogi (described under Yoga).
The Way of Society:
Or the Laws of Manu, taught that there were four “Ends of Man”: Kama (pleasure), artha (gain), dharma (righteousness), and moksha (liberation). These four “ends” are represented by the ashramas (four stages of life): Student, householder, hermit, and renunciant.
Student:
The student is young and learning. During this time, one will find friends and meet potential mates. The student stage is a time for fun and “sowing wild oats.”
Householder:
The Householder is more mature. During this time one will buy a house, get married, have children.
The Hermit:
The Hermit is usually middle aged, coming to terms with his or her own mortality. This is when you decide to stay in and contemplate your spiritual condition instead of going out with your friends. You may read books, meditate, pray, or simply sit and think.
The Renunciant:
This is generally your older years. The renunciant is a foreign concept to westerners. This is when you give up all of your belongings and become a sannyasin, a wandering monk. This is one who leaves his family and seeks spiritual wisdom. It is said the transformation to renunciant is complete when he is given food by a former servant.
Yoga:
Yoga is a discipline or technique designed to help a Hindu know him/herself. Yoga is based on a Hindu teaching that there are two paths of development in finding Brahman. The Path of Desire and The Path of Renunciation.
The Path of Desire:
This path follows man’s desire for pleasure. While craving or finding pleasure is not bad, it will ultimately leave you disappointed. No one will be able to acquire all of the things they desire. As a result, they will be left wanting more.
The Path of Renunciation:
After learning the disappointment of the Path of Desire, one may choose to follow the Path of Renunciation. Down this path one chooses to help others. However, just as in the Path of Desire, the follower of the Path of Renunciation will be left disappointed. Your ability to help others is limited. This will leave you wanting to help more.
The Path of Liberation:
Within the Path of Renunciation is the Path of Liberation. Here, man achieves self realization and overcomes the desires that leave one feeling disappointed. Yoga is designed to help a Hindu find the Path of Liberation.
The way of Yogi:
Or the Yogi Sutras, teaches four different techniques to know your inner self (or your Atman, your soul) ultimately attaining liberation from the wheel of samsara (the cycle of death and rebirth). Each technique consists of eight steps, called limbs:
The Eight Steps of Yoga:
- Nonviolence, truthfulness, non-stealing, celibacy, and non-greed.
- Purity, contentment, mortification, study, and devotion.
- Posture.
- Breath control.
- Withdrawal of attention from the senses.
- Concentration.
- Meditation.
- Contemplation.
Each step, or limb, is believed to be centered and brought up through seven chakras during Yoga and meditation. Chakras are seven centers of energy found from the base of the spine to the top of the head. The four Yoga techniques are designed to align the limbs (the eight steps). Ultimately the goal of Yoga is to know your true self (your Atman). Your Atman, although uniquely you, is believed to be a manifestation or extension of Brahman (the absolute God). By knowing yourself, you can know God.
The Four Techniques of Yoga:
1) Jnana Yoga:
An intellectual technique. Through knowledge and mental discipline one can concentrate on Brahman. The yogi will concentrate to the point of disconnection from this world and body. By liberating him/herself from the body they can focus on their Atman (soul) and ultimately unite with Brahman.
2) Bhakti Yoga:
A love technique. The yogi will focus on loving Brahman. Union with Brahman is achieved when the yogi commits all acts as an attempt to love Brahman.
3) Karma Yoga:
This is an activist technique. The yogi will work for the glory of Brahman. By committing every act as though it is your last, one can reach a union with Brahman.
4) Hatha Yoga:
This is a physical technique. By exercising the body one can learn to discipline the body and bring it under total control. When the body is controlled, the mind is liberated. Liberation of the mind can unite the yogi’s atman with Brahman. Generally, Hatha Yoga is associated with centering the chakras.
The Caste System:
The Caste you are reborn (reincarnated) into is dependent upon the karma (conduct) of your previous lives. The Castes include:
- Brahmins – The top of the Caste System. The Brahmins include priests and scholars.
- Kshatriyas – The warriors and rulers.
- Vaishyas - The merchants and tradesmen.
- Shudras - These are the lowest of the Caste System. The Shudras are the peasants.
- Untouchables – Outside of the Caste System are the “out-castes” or the “Untouchables”. These are the lowest of the human race. Often they are subjected to extreme poverty.
- Non-Human life - Below the Untouchables are most plant and animal life.
Each caste is taught to not associate with members of a lesser caste. When approached by a member of a higher caste, you must step aside and not allow your shadow to fall upon a member of a higher caste. The collective name given to the top four castes is “Varna” which roughly translates to “color” or “appearance”. For this reason, most scholars believe the caste one was placed in was, at least initially, based upon the color of their skin. Despite popular belief, the Caste System was not instituted during British and French occupation in the eighteenth century. While the origin of the Caste System is unknown, it is believed to have developed sometime after, and probably the result of, the invasion of the Aryans in 1500 B.C. The Aryans were of lighter skin and probably wanted to maintain positions of status.
Hindu Gods:
As mentioned earlier, there are approximately 33 million different Gods in Hinduism. However, all Gods are manifestations or faces of the one God, Brahman. Hinduism teaches Brahman is represented by a Trinity, called Trimurti. The Trinity presents three different representations of the character of Brahman:
Brahma:
No “n” at the end of the name – Brahma is the creator. According to mythology, Brahma meditates on the lotus blossom growing from the navel of Vishnu. A universe is created when Brahma opens his eyes to look around. When Brahma closes his eyes, the universe disappears. It is believe that one day to Brahma is equal to four billion, three hundred and twenty years, or one world cycle. Each day (in Brahma years) Brahma opens and closes his eyes once.
Vishnu:
Vishnu is the preserver, the God of goodness. Vishnu rests on the ocean of the previous universe. According to Hinduism, Vishnu comes to live as a man on earth periodically. These incarnations of Vishnu are called Avatars. Hindus believe Vishnu will live in human form ten times during one earth cycle. Nine incarnations have already passed, the latest being the Buddha. Hindus believe the final incarnation of Vishnu will be as a rider on a white horse wielding a flaming sward to separate the wicked from the righteous.
Shiva:
Shiva is the destroyer, though not in an evil sense. Shiva is the inevitable presence of death. Shiva is also the God of Yoga and dance. Shiva is often depicted with his four arms outstretched dancing on the back of a turtle with a human face. Shiva is considered the master Yogi who sits atop Mount Kallas in the Himalayas. From his matted hair the Ganges river flows. If Shiva fails to meditate, the universe will disappear like a dream.