Foundations of Hinduism

1. Lecture 7: Foundations of
Hinduism

2. Philosophical Foundations of
Hinduism
The philosophical systems of Sanatana Dharma have their foundation in:
1. The Vedas
3. Direct personal experience of truth through meditation
5. The concern for ethics as necessary for orderly social life
7. The belief that suffering is a result of ignorance of the eternal self

3. Samkhya
Samkhya is a dualistic philosophy
It claims that reality has two distinct aspects:
5.Purusha
The pure, changeless, eternal self
8.Praktiri
“Nature” The source and cause of our
material universe
The problem humans face according to this philosophy
is that they are confused about the difference between
these two aspects
The goal in Samkhya is to recognize the ultimate reality
of the Purusha apart from Praktiri

4. Advaita Vedanta
Advaita Vedanta is a monistic philosophy
It claims that there is only one reality
According to this philosophy Atman and Brahman are one and the
same thing
But they appear to be separate because of Maya
Maya
The illusory physical world which appears to be real and
separate from Brahman
For example; we appear to be different from each other and
separate from ultimate reality. But we are not

5. Yoga
All forms of Yoga use spiritual discipline to achieve self-
knowledge
Some seek Samadhi union with the absolute (Brahman)
Certain practices include:
oRegulation of breathing to increase prana (Breath/Life
energy)
oAn assortment of physical postures (asanas)
oSacred formulas (mantras) or concentration on a
spiritual symbol (Yantra)
oFocus on controlling the energy that flows through the
Chakras

6. Varieties of Yoga
Raja Yoga
The path of mental contrentation
Jnana Yoga
The path of rational inquiry
Karma Yoga
The path of right action
Bhakti Yoga
The path of devotion to a personal deity
Q: In what way does the yoga described here, differ from the Yoga we are
familiar with in the west?

7. Theistic paths
Vaisnavites
Worshippers of Vishnu and his associated
deities (Rama and Krishna)
Saivites
Worshippers of Shiva and his associated
deities (His son Ganesh)
Saktas
Worshippers of a mother/wife goddess
(Brahmani, Indrani, Kartiki, Mahesvari,
Narasinhi, Pradhana, Raudri, Vaishnavi,
Varahi.)

8. Hindu Practices
Rituals (Puja)
Darsan; Visual contact with the divine
Prasad; Food blessed by being offered to a deity and then eaten
Castes
The Hindu castes originate in the Vedic age and divides men into four hereditary
occupational groups
1. Brahmins (priests and teachers)
2. Kshatriyas (warriors and rulers)
3. Vaishyas (Farmers, merchants, artisans)
4. Shudras (Laborers)
v. The untouchables (those outside the system)
Life Stages
Brahmin males traditionally went through four stages:
a) Student; b) householder; c) meditation/study; d) renunciation (Sannyasin)
Sannyasins join monastic orders and live in retreats known as Ashram

9. Hindu Practices
Duties and Goals
There are four goals that define a good life
1. Dharma
2. Artha (Success in worldly activities)
3. Kama (love)
4. Moksha (Liberation from Samsare)
Gurus
Fasting and Praying
Reverence of trees and rivers
Pilgrimages
Festivals