Hindu dharma- way of life

4. In Hindu scriptures, the Cosmic Absolute/Absolute Reality is defined as Transcendent (impersonal) and Immanent (personal). In the transcendent aspect, the Supreme Reality is called Nirguna Brahman , that is Brahman , without attributes. " Brahman is He whom speech cannot express, and from whom the mind is unable to reach Him, comes away baffled" states the Taittiriya Upanishad. Nirguna Brahman is not an object of prayer, but of meditation and knowledge . It cannot be described, and It is absolute existence, absolute knowledge, and absolute bliss ( sat-chit-ananda ). It is unborn , self-existent , all-pervading , and the essence of all things and beings in the universe. It is immeasurable , unapproachable , beyond conception, beyond birth, beyond reasoning, and beyond thought". God cannot be defined in terms of any specific manifestation, nor indeed in terms of their sum total. He is beyond all possibility of definition. The Bhagavad Gita, the best-known scripture of India, states this point clearly: Concept of God ( Brahman )

5. Brahman , the Cosmic Absolute (beyond description) Transcendent (impersonal aspect, can be realized, but not worshipped Immanent (personal aspect, can be prayed, and worshipped, but not realized) Male Aspect Ishvara or God (note capital G) worshipped by many names and forms known as deities or gods (note small g) Female Aspect Divine Mother, worshipped by many names and forms known as deities or goddesses (note small g) Concept of God, cont’d We will focus on Immanent aspect of Brahman for now

6. Concept of God (Bramhan) In its Immanent (personal) aspect, the Supreme Reality, is called Saguna Bramhan. He is the personal God, the creator, the preserver, and the controller of the universe. In Hinduism, the immanent (personal) aspect of Bramhan is worshipped in both male and female forms. In the male form, He is worshipped as Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Brahma is the creative aspect, Vishnu is the protecting, sustaining aspect; and Siva is the transforming, dissolving aspect. In the female form, as Saraswathi, Lakshmi and Parvathi. ALL POWERFUL MOTHER GAYATRI BRAHMA -CREATOR VISHNU - PROTECTOR SHIVA - DISSOLVER

7. However, on the personal level, its up to individuals to create a form/view of the same Supreme Bharman to pray. Hindu accepts only one God, the Supreme. Because of this flexibility in giving a shape or form, it appears as if there are many Hindu Gods/Goddesses to a non-Hindu. Hindus see divinity in all living creatures. Animal deities therefore, occupy an important place in Hindu dharma. Animals, for example, are very common as form of transport for various Gods and Goddesses. This is dues to the concept of Atman and Brahman being the same. We will discuss that in later slides….. Concept of God (Bramhan)

8. Hindu Concept of the Individual Just as a man living in a house is called a householder, Atman (meaning “God within”) living in a human body is called an individual. When this “human house” becomes old and irreparable, Atman leaves the house and we say that the individual has died. But Atman is immortal and is part of Brahman, Supreme God. Atman is divine so all the beings are divine.

10. Electricity + Refrigerator = Cold Electricity + Television = Audio & Video Electricity + Type of Appliance = Type of Application Electricity + Oven = Heat Opposing Functions Personality Individuality Spirituality Divinity Hindu Concept of the Individual, cont’d Atman Physical Human Body + = just as Why are individuals different form each other?

11. Cosmic Energy Divine Mother (Shakti) Hindu Concept of the Universe Brahman (Infinite, Undivided and Changeless) Cosmic Consciousness (Heavenly Father ) Cosmic Ignorance (Maya) Sattva Rajas Tamas Time Space Duality Appearance of Brahman as things and beings of the world The Infinite, Undivided and Changeless appears as finite, divided, and changing

12. Hindu Concept of the Universe Hindus believe that the universe is without a beginning (anadi= beginning-less) or an end (ananta = end-less). Rather the universe is projected in cycles. Each cycle is divided into four yugas (ages of the world). Satya yuga (golden age) 4,000,000 years Treta yuga (silver age) 3,600,000 years Dvapara yuga (copper age) 2,400,000 years Kali yuga (iron age) 1,200,000 years Pralaya (cosmic deluge ) 4000,000 years New Creation 400,000 years Duration of One Cycle 12,000,000 years Total duration of the four yugas is called a kalpa. At the end of kalyuga the universe is dissolved by pralaya (cosmic deluge ) and another cycle begins. Each cycle of creation lasts one kalpa, that is 12,000,000 human years ( or 12,000 Brahma years). Hindus believe that there is almost a universe hidden in each Atman and that can be explored looking inward with the help of Yoga and Meditation.

13. 10 AVATARS (INCARNATIONS) Lord Vishnu's preserving, protecting powers have been manifested to the world in a variety of forms, called Avatars, in which one or more of his divine attributes were embodied in the shape of a human being or an animal or a human-animal combined form, possessing great and sometimes supernatural powers.that are innumerable.

23. Dharma Morality Ethics Individual Resp. Social Resp. Laws of the Land Profession Ahimsa (non-violence) The Law of Dharma “ Don’t do to others what you don’t want done to you.”

25. Progress of Human thought Towards Dharma Dependent (Independent) Individual Family Community Nation Humanity Universe Truth

26. Who Is Hindu? – 9 Point Test Hindus believe many diverse things, but there are a few bedrock concepts on which most Hindus concur. The following nine beliefs, though not exhaustive, offer a simple summary of Hindu spirituality. 1) I believe in the divinity of the Vedas, the world’s most ancient scripture, and venerate the Agamas as equally revealed. These primordial hymns are God’s word and the bedrock of Sanatana Dharma, the eternal religion which has neither beginning nor end. 2) I believe in a one, all-pervasive Supreme Being who is both immanent and transcendent, both Creator and Unmanifest Reality. 3) I believe that the universe undergoes endless cycles of creation, preservation and dissolution. 4) I believe in karma, the law of cause and effect by which each individual creates his own destiny by his thoughts, words and deeds.

27. Who Is Hindu? – 9 Point Test 5) I believe that the soul reincarnates, evolving through many births until all karmas have been resolved, and moksha, spiritual knowledge and liberation from the cycle of rebirth, is attained. Not a single soul will be eternally deprived of this destiny. 6) I believe that divine beings exist in unseen worlds and that temple worship, rituals, sacraments as well as personal devotionals create a communion with these devas and Gods. 7) I believe that a spiritually awakened master, or satguru, is essential to know the Transcendent Absolute, as are personal discipline, good conduct, purification, pilgrimage, self-inquiry and meditation. 8) I believe that all life is sacred, to be loved and revered, and therefore practice ahimsa, “noninjury.” 9) I believe that no particular religion teaches the only way to salvation above all others, but that all genuine religious paths are facets of God’s Pure Love and Light, deserving tolerance and understanding.

28. Code of Conduct – DO NOT’s

29. Code of Conduct – DO NOT’s

30. Code of Conduct – DO NOT’s

31. Code of Conduct – DO’s

32. Code of Conduct – DO’s

33. Code of Conduct – DO’s

34. Four major religions of the world have originated from India: Hinduism,Jainism, Sikhism and Buddhism. Hindu Temple Jain Temple Sikh Gurudwara Buddhist Pagoda

36. Sacred Cow – Why? Everything is sacred for Hindus. Cows, Like in all societies of all times, have been considered to be “wealth”. Cows provide milk which helps sustain life, life of adults and children alike. The by-products of the milk, yoghurt, buttermilk, butter etc were an integral part of their daily diet. Their dung was a useful, year around fuel supply. By pulling carts and ploughs, they were partners in technology that helped develop new frontiers in the Indian sub-continent. Their usefulness meant they were valued as highly as any gold, gem or sometimes even kin. By giving it a very special place in our society, that of a pseudo mother, we made sure it was respected at all times. By giving it the same divine status as parents, the ancients made sure the humble cow had the same legal and social protection as humans ! All this to protect our wealth !!

37. Caste System Vedas speak of nobility of entire humanity (krinvanto vishvam aryam), and do not sanction any caste system or birth-based caste system. Mantra, numbered 10-13-1 in Rig Veda, addresses the entire humanity as divine children (shrunvantu vishve amrutsya putraha). Innumerable mantras in Vedas emphasise oneness, universal brotherhood, harmony, happiness, affection, unity and commonality of entire humanity. Veda Mantra numbered 5-60-5 in Rig Veda declares, “All men are brothers; no one is big, no one is small. All are equal.” Mantra numbered 16.15 in Yajur Veda reiterates that all men are brothers; no one is superior or inferior. Hindu scriptures speak only about ‘varna’ which means to ‘select’ (one’s profession, etc.) and which is not caste or birth-based. As per shloka numbered IV (13) of the Bhagavad Gita, depending upon a person’s guna (aptitude) and karma (actions), there are four varnas. As per this shloka, a person’s varna is determined by his guna and karma, and not by his birth. Chapter XIV of the Bhagavad Gita specifies three gunas viz. satva (purity), rajas (passion and attachment) and tamas (ignorance). These three gunas are present in every human in different proportions, and determine the varna of every person.

38. Additional Resources Idiots Guide To Hinduism By Linda Johnsen On The Internet: http://www.himalayanacademy.com/basics http://www.atributetohinduism.com/ http://www.dlshq.org/download/vedbegin.pdf http://www.dlshq.org/download/download.htm http://www.swami-krishnananda.org/ans_00.html http://www.hindubooks.org/bansi_pandit/hindu_dharma / This is a presentation by Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh(HSS). For more information, email at [email_address]