Goals. Hinduism: Sacred Texts and Outside Influences after the Vedic Period. Buddhism. Buddhism

Transcription

1 Goals Buddhism influenced the development of Hinduism. Hinduism: Sacred Texts and Outside Influences after the Vedic Period Important Hindu text were written after the Vedas. These include the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. An important portion of the Mahabharata is called the Bhagavad-Gita or the Gita. The Laws of Manu reinforce traditional notions of caste and family. Colonial British rule of India ended in 1947 through an independence movement partly inspired by Hindu philosophies. 1 2 Buddhism The emergence of Buddhism had an affect on the development of Hinduism/Hindu philosophy. The Buddha (Siddhartha Guatama) was born in approx. 563BCE. As a young man, he lived the life of a Hindu ascetic. Eventually his teachings became different enough from Hinduism that he gave rise to a new religion. Buddhism - As we said in the last lecture, early Vedic Hinduism was concerned with fire sacrifices. - Buddhism, on the other hand, is focused on spiritual perfection. 3 4

2 The Relationship between Hinduism and Buddhism It is a fundamental Buddhist belief that life in this world necessarily involves suffering. Hinduism also adopted this belief. This is the opposite of early Vedic Hinduism which is very world-affirming (focused on having a harmonious and happy life while you are living). Hindu Texts Vedas - written around 1500BCE - made up of four books/vedas Rig Veda (stories of the ancient deities) Yajur Veda (priest s handbook for performing fire sacrifices) Sama Veda (contains melodies, chants, tunes) Atharva Veda (contains magical formulas, chants, spells, charms) Plus, the Vedas also include the following sections: Brahmanas (instructions for priest on rituals and prayer) Aranyakas (instructions for forest-dwelling ascetics) Upanishads (philosophical books on meaning of life, etc) 5 6 The Epics Hindu Texts The Ramayana and Mahabharata are two Hindu texts known as The Epics. Vedas Ramayana Mahabharata They were composed between 200BCE and 200CE. In them, you find stories about the interactions between gods, goddesses, and human heroes. These stories are very popular and have been produced for television and comic-strips. Rig Veda Yajur Veda Sama Veda Atharva Veda Plus: Brahmanas Aranyakas Upanishads Bhagavad-Gita 7 8

3 Ramayana The Mahabharata The first Hindu epic, the Ramayana, recounts the legends of a royal and military hero, Rama, and his wife, Sita. It is 24,000 versus long! Rama is very dedicated to upholding his duty and keep his word. Rama was exiled to the forest for 14 years so that his half-brother, Bharata, could be king. Sita and his other half-bother followed the prince into exile, but Sita was abducted by the wicked Ravana. A battle followed where Rama, assisted by Hanuman (king of the monkeys) defeated Ravana, rescued his wife, and returned to the kingdom. This is a classic struggle between good and evil! The second epic, the Mahabharata, is the longest poem in the world. It is 100,000 versus long. The Mahabharata tells of the conflicts between two competing clans in northern India. The heroes of this tale struggle and suffer and are only able to overcome their struggles by renouncing the world and pursuing spiritual perfection The Bhagavad-Gita Classical Texts Within the Mahabharata is a short story called the Bhagavad-Gita (the Gita) or Song of God. The Bhagavad-Gita is the most famous of all the Hindu scriptures and is made up of 18 chapters. It is the story about Prince Arjuna and the decision he must make before a battle. Arjuna knows that if he goes into battle, some of his relatives will be killed because they are fighting with the enemy. At the same time the Epics were written, two other classical texts were written. These included: The Laws of Manu ( CE) The Early Purana ( CE)- myths about the deities 11 12

4 Hindu Texts Laws of Manu Vedas Rig Veda Yajur Veda Sama Veda Atharva Veda Plus: Brahmanas Aranyakas Upanishads Ramayan a Mahabharat a Bhagavad- Gita Laws of Manu Early Puranas The Laws of Manu deal with religious practice, law, customs and politics. The Laws of Manu are used to justify the caste system and the social subordination of women (otherwise known as keeping the woman down!) They also say that seeking spiritual perfection is for when you are old (so live it up while you re young!) Laws of Manu Islam in India Laws IX.2-4, Day and night women must be kept in dependence by the males (of) their (families), and, if they attach themselves to sensual enjoyments, they must be kept under one s control. 3. Her father protects (her) in childhood, her husband protects (her) in youth, and her sons protect (her) in old age; a woman is never fit for independence. 4. Reprehensible is the father who gives not (his daughter in marriage) at the proper time; reprehensible is the husband who approaches not (his wife in due season), and reprehensible is the son who does not protect his mother after her husband has died. 6. Considering that the highest duty of all castes, even weak husbands (must) strive to guard their wives. 7. He who carefully guards his wife, preserves (the purity of) his offspring, virtuous conduct, his family, himself, and his (means of acquiring) merit. Law V Though destitute of virtue, or seeking pleasure (elsewhere), or devoid of good qualities, (yet) a husband must be constantly worshipped as a god by a faithful wife. There are two other significant influences on Hinduism to talk about. During the Medieval Period, Islam also moved into India. (approx. 1000CE). Muslim rule thrived in India from CE. in 1858, Britain took control of India

5 Indian Independence Summary The Indians won indepedence from Great Britian in 1947 after a long non-violent campaign for selfgovernment. This campaign was led by Mohatma Gandhi. Gandhi went to school in England and then lived in South Africa. Gandhi was very inspired by the Bhagavid-Gita and the X n New Testament. You have learned: Buddhism influenced the development of Hinduism The two Hindu epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, are the stories of gods, goddesses, heroes, and heroines. The Gita is a short text within the Mahabharata that is the best-known scriptures of Hinduism. The Laws of Manu underwrote the caste system and male dominance. Both Islam and Great Britain had a significant influence on India over that past 500 years. India gained independence in 1947, in a movement partly inspired by HIndu texts and principles