7 dimensions of hinduism karma and samsara transmigration moksha
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7 dimensions of Hinduism
Karma and Samsara
Transmigration
Moksha
Aryan-Greek/Roman Polytheism
Aryan Henotheistic
One of many Gods is raised to highest rank
Mother goddess and fertility ideas
Law of Karma-reincarnation Brahman-unitary principle of
the universe Atman-inner life or soul
Brahmin-Vishnu-Shiva:Trinity have consorts
Greek-Roman Polytheism of many
gods/goddesses One life Appeasement of
Gods/goddesses
Principles in the world
Karma-action or deedsDharma- ethical rules of right conductSamsara-wheel of rebirthMoksha-liberation from this rebirth
Society
Caste system Brahmin, kshatriya, vaishya, shudra Priest, warriors and admin., producers, laborers and servants
4 stages of life Student, householder, forest dweller, sannyasin
4 goals of life Kama, sensual pleasure; artha, material success; Dharma, right conduct; moksha, liberation
3 paths to liberation Karma marga-works, right conduct Jnana Marga-knowledge, Vedanta, Sankhya, Yoga Bhakti Marga-devotion, rituals, pilgrimages, sacred cows
3 paths of liberation
Karma MargaRight conduct according to Dharma
Jnana MargaVedanta, maya-cosmic illusion, monismSankhya, matter and many selfs-free from bondage of
personalityYoga, physical and psychological way, 8 steps, get to
samadhi-transcendent state
Bhakti MargaGods and goddesses, pilgrimages, cow veneration
Periods of Hindu Historical development
Indus Valley Civilization 3-2 BCEAryan invasions, incorporated into India
A Vedic Age 2-1 BCEVedas intuited by Brahmin, Sanskrit, oral tradition
Agni-fire, life maintainingSoma-plant, life transcending
Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda, and ArthavedaRigveda, hymnal to all the deitiesYajurveda; manual of sacrifices and mantrasSamaveda; index to melodies of SOMA sacrificesAthaveda; domestic rituals and religious concerns of
popular culture
Epic Age
Verse Dramas-smriti, traditions Mahabharata Ramayana
Dharma Sutras, instructions on proper conductDharma Shastras, laws of conductCode of Manu-series of laws
Beginning of Classical Hinduism: codification of beliefs 3 debts: Gods, Ancestors, and ……
Puranas-collections of old storiesDharma, samsara, karma, and mokshaShakti-feminine cosmic energyBhakta-yogin ways, ritual ways of 5 Ms
Upanishads
Gave all Hindus ability to perform household ritualsWorld of ritualsAtman-Brahman understanding emerges
Samsara-distinction of separation is illusion, continue to transmigration until TRUTH understood-Moksha, release follows.
Bhagavad Gita; first of these texts
Purusha
Cosmic Body of Purusha God’s self sacrifice brings
world into being.
Life body of social body Humanity reflects this in
our life
Cosmic Body All are one, and will be
reunited as one
Monism-all is ultimately one
Gods and Goddesses
Shiva-god of danceVishnu-great deity
Avatars-decents of VishnuKrishna, Rama, Narasimha
Devi-goddessDurga, Kali, Parvati