Hinduism (1500 BCE-1900 CE)

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Hinduism(1500 BCE-1900 CE)

• The Worlds Third Largest Religion

By Lauren Pinion, James Pitman, and Amanda Shaw
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Maps and Sacred Texts
http//www.worldreligions.psu.edu/maps-hinduism.ht
m
http//www.worldreligions.psu.edu/maps-hinduism.ht
m
The Spread of Hunduism
The Vedas (Sacred Texts)
Sacred Hindu Sites
http//listverse.com/2007/09/19/10-religious-scrip
tures-explained/
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Hindu Gods and Goddesses
http//www.indianetzone.com/39/hindu_gods.htm
http//www.ebhagwan.com/
Hanuman Jayanti
Durga
Santhoshi
Ganesha
http//www.eso-garden.com/index.php?/weblog/C36/P3
0/
http//hindudevotionalpower.blogspot.com/2010/04/s
antoshi.html
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Chronology
1500 BCE Aryan invaders bring velidic religion,
which is a sacred literature and collection of
hymns in the Hinduism religion. 1200 BCE
Aryans, whom are followers of the Hinduism
religion, migrate into Southern Asia. 900-600
BCE The first phase of Hinduism known as
Brahmanism develops, and this brings attention to
social and ritual obligation. 800 BCE Buddhism
and Jainism affect Hinduism because they took
away the followers of Hinduism, and they made
Hinduism more moderate and not as extreme. 700
BCE Vaishnavism develops around the cult of
Vishnu, which is a god in the Hinduism religion.
Vaishnavas are communities that are divided into
smaller parts, which focus on one form of
Vishnu. 600 BCE The first form of the caste
system is recognized, which consists of
Brahmins- which are religious leaders Kshatriyas-
which are nobles and warriors Vaisyas-which are
artisans and formers Shudras-also known as
unskilled laborers 500 BCE Upanishads are
written and sutras emerge as complete scriptures.
The Upanishads reflect the ideas of karma, as
well as reincarnation and dharma. 400 BCE
Ramayana is written, which is a very important
book in the Hinduism religion. Gandhi referred to
it as the greatest book in the world.
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Chronology
326-184 BCE Mauryan Dynasty founded, which
Chandragupta ruled from 324 BCE to 301
BCE. 320-185 BCE Chandragupta founded the
Mauryan dynasty during this time period. 100 CE
The religion of Hinduism spreads to Southeast
Asia most likely because of war and trade. 200
CE This is the beginning of the Vedanta system,
which is a Brahmanical system where all the power
resides in the priest. 320-500 CE Gupta Empire,
also known as the Golden Age of Indian culture,
is founded in this time frame. 500-650 CE The
Gupta Empire separates into several
kingdoms. 600-1600 CE The rise of devotional
movements, such as Puja which is basically
reverence to a god or spirit through rituals and
prayers. 1720 CE The Mughal Empire falls and
the British begin to take power over India. 1857
CE National Independence War between the British
and India occurs during this time frame. 1895
CE The society of Vedanta states that Hinduism
is a world religion and the country of India is a
single nation. 1947 CE Independence is given
back to India, but there are some conflicts that
arise between the Muslims, Hindus, and Sikhs.
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Regional Impact (India)
Politics -Hindus were to only marriage within their caste, and to neither marry above nor below their own caste. -The lowest caste wasforced to perform the most menial and degrading jobs with virtually no chance of escape from their fate. -The structure of the Indian government sets up for confrontation between Hindus and Muslums. These confrontations are the basis for power in government. Intellectual Innovations -Dharma keeps the people in check with ethical conduct, caste rules, and civil and criminal law. -Karma is the concept of "action" or "deed which keeps the Hindu Indian people in check.
Religion -The most dominant religion in India today is Hinduism. -About 80 of Indians are Hindus. -Indians generally participate in cultural festivals such as Phagwah and Diwali, regardless of their religious beliefs. -Hindu cultural and religious traditions are almost synonymous with Indian identity. Art -The walls of many Hindu temples and other public buildings are oftencovered in large murals of deities and potrayals of the three goals of life (dharma, karma, arthra) -Deities are frequently portrayed with multiple arms because this emphasizes the immense power of the deity and his or her ability to perform several feats at the same time.
Technology -In the wars depicted in the holy books, many characters had weapons similar to modern day war weapons. These included aircrafts that could surpass the speed of light and arrows that could carry bombs. Architecture -Most Hindu homes have a small shrine called a puja room. -The architecture of Hindu temples evolved over a period of more than 2,000 years and there is a great variety in this architecture. -Hindu temples are of different shapes and sizes rectangular, octagonal, semicircular with different types of domes and gates.
Society -There are four castes in society arranged in a hierarchy. These are priests, warriors, businessmen, and peasants. Below these four castes there are casteless, also known as the untouchables. -Evidence of this social structure still exists today. -Religiously, people are born in a caste and it cannot be changed. Economy -The caste system affected Indian economic development because it was used to determine the economic status of all Hindus within the country. -There has however been a great deal of debate as to whether the caste system still has a legacy that continues to affect the economic development of India.
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Regional Impact (Africa)
Political -Has received opposition from the entrenched Christian elites and Muslim minorities of these countries. Intellectual -Dharma keeps the people in check with ethical conduct, caste rules, and civil and criminal law. -Karma is the concept of "action" or "deed which keeps the Hindu Indian people in check.
Religion It has mostly been confined to practice by the Indo-African communities of these countries. -Home to over 25,000 Hindus, mostly local converts and more recent, post-independence Indian immigrants. -Hinduism has been cited as possessing many parallels to African spirituality. Art -The walls of many Hindu temples and other public buildings are oftencovered in large murals of deities and potrayals of the three goals of life (dharma, karma, arthra) -Deities are frequently portrayed with multiple arms because this emphasizes the immense power of the deity and his or her ability to perform several feats at the same time.
Technology -In the wars depicted in the holy books, many characters had weapons similar to modern day war weapons. These included aircrafts that could surpass the speed of light and arrows that could carry bombs. Architecture -Several temples belonging to the faith have been built in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Zambia. -Most Hindu homes have a small shrine called a puja room. -The architecture of Hindu temples evolved over a period of more than 2,000 years and there is a great variety in this architecture. -Hindu temples are of different shapes and sizes rectangular, octagonal, semicircular with different types of domes and gates.
Society -There are four castes in society arranged in a hierarchy. These are priests, warriors, businessmen, and peasants. Below these four castes there are casteless, also known as the untouchables. -Evidence of this social structure still exists today. -Religiously, people are born in a caste and it cannot be changed Economy -Many Indians left their homeland to seek their fortunes as soldiers, civil servicemen, and indentured servants throughout the British Empire, settling mainly in the British colonies of Southern and Eastern Africa. Their descendants eventually gained middle-class status in these countries, a position which has changed little.
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Regional Impact (Southeast Asia)
Political -Hindu kings began to make forays into Sri Lanka and parts of southeast Asia as early as the 7th century C.E. -Appears to have originated in the region of the Indus Valley in what is today Pakistan perhaps as much as 4000 years ago. -Spread into Southeast Asia before the advent of Christianity. Intellectual -Dharma keeps the people in check with ethical conduct, caste rules, and civil and criminal law. -Karma is the concept of "action" or "deed which keeps the Hindu Indian people in check.
Religion -The earliest material evidence of Hinduism in Southeast Asia comes from Borneo. Hinduism has remained essentially a cultural religion of South Asia and is more than a faith it is a way of life. Art -The walls of many Hindu temples and other public buildings are oftencovered in large murals of deities and potrayals of the three goals of life (dharma, karma, arthra) -Deities are frequently portrayed with multiple arms because this emphasizes the immense power of the deity and his or her ability to perform several feats at the same time.
Technology -In the wars depicted in the holy books, many characters had weapons similar to modern day war weapons. These included aircrafts that could surpass the speed of light and arrows that could carry bombs. Architecture Most Hindu homes have a small shrine called a puja room. -The architecture of Hindu temples evolved over a period of more than 2,000 years and there is a great variety in this architecture. -Hindu temples are of different shapes and sizes rectangular, octagonal, semicircular with different types of domes and gates.
Society -Temples and shrines, holy animals by the tens of millions, and the sights and sounds of endless processions and rituals all contribute to a unique atmosphere in these lands. Economy -Many Hindus searching for a better life have moved from rural villages towards larger cities. This has added to the economy of these large cities merchants and traders as well as cheaper labor.
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Regional Impact (Caribbean)
Political -Britain was in control of most Caribbean nations. They brought over Indian slaves. These slaves brought and spread the Hindu religion in these parts. Intellectual -Dharma keeps the people in check with ethical conduct, caste rules, and civil and criminal law. -Karma is the concept of "action" or "deed which keeps the Hindu Indian people in check.
Religion -Evolved from main stream Hinduism into a Caribbean style Hinduism. This has different social and religious practices than most forms of Hinduism. Art -The walls of many Hindu temples and other public buildings are often covered in large murals of deities and portrayals of the three goals of life (dharma, karma, arthra) -Deities are frequently portrayed with multiple arms because this emphasizes the immense power of the deity and his or her ability to perform several feats at the same time.
Technology -In the wars depicted in the holy books, many characters had weapons similar to modern day war weapons. These included aircrafts that could surpass the speed of light and arrows that could carry bombs. Architecture -Most Hindu homes have a small shrine called a puja room. -The architecture of Hindu temples evolved over a period of more than 2,000 years and there is a great variety in this architecture. -Hindu temples are of different shapes and sizes rectangular, octagonal, semicircular with different types of domes and gates.
Society -There are four castes in society arranged in a hierarchy. These are priests, warriors, businessmen, and peasants. Below these four castes there are casteless, also known as the untouchables. -Evidence of this social structure still exists today. -Religiously, people are born in a caste and it cannot be changed Economy -European ships set sail for Caribbean colonies. They had items for African slave traders. The slaves were captured and shipped from Africa to the islands. Sugar and rum were exported from the Caribbean back to Europe.
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Change Over Time

• In the beiginning of Hinduism, people were mainly
  ritualistic. Over the years, teachers like Adi
  Sankara and Ramanuja initiated the knowledge
  part, and the arrival of Swami Vivekananda marked
  a changed perception of Hinduism as less of a
  ritualistic religion.
• Followers of the Bhakti movement moved away from
  the abstract concept of Brahman, which the
  philosopher Adi Shankara consolidated a few
  centuries before, with emotional, passionate
  devotion towards the more accessible avatars,
  especially Krishna and Rama.
• The Arya Society, founded in 1875 by Swami
  Dayananda which went back to the Vedas as the
  ultimate revealed source of truth and attempted
  to purge Hinduism of more recent accretions that
  had no basis in the scriptures.
• The Arya Society is a small society that still
  works to purify Hindu rituals, convert tribal
  people, and run centers throughout India.
• The spread of Hindu religous sentiment parallels
  a similar rise in religious biased devotion among
  religious minorities, including Muslims and
  Sikhs.
• there have been major nonviolent changes, as new
  sectarian movements continue to grow and as
  established movements change.
• The dominant tendency of the more modern Hindu
  religion is following the example of the great
  teachers of the past, to be nonviolent towards
  all living beings, and to accept the remarkable
  diversity of Indian religion.. This is reiterated
  by Mahatma Gandhi and most modern gurus.
• Brahman, the ultimate reality for the Hindu, is a
  hard term to define in history because its
  meaning has changedsignificantly over a period
  of time.

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Change Over Time

• Activist Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh emerged to
  protect Hinduism through the RSS. The RSS had
  been founded in 1925 by Keshav Baliram Hedgewar
  and was based of the concern that Hinduism was in
  danger of extinction from its external foes and
  needed a strong, militant force of devotees to
  protect it.
• The VHP organization demolished a mosque in
  Ayodhya during a huge demonstration in 1992. As a
  result, the Ministry of Home Affairs imposed a
  two-year ban on the Vishwa Hindu Parishad under
  the Unlawful Activities Act. When the ban expired
  in December 1994, the government reimposed it for
  two additional years.
• Hindu rituals, called upacharass, change with
  time. For example, in the past few hundred years
  some rituals, such as sacred dance and music
  offerings in the standard Sodasa Upacharas set
  prescribed by the Agama Shastraa, were replaced
  by the offerings of rice and sweets.
• The many festivals of Hinduism change throughout
  the year because they typically celebrate events
  from Hindu mythology. Therefore, they often
  coinciding with seasonal changes.
• Hinduism started out very small and has grown to
  become the world's third largest religion, after
  Christianity and Islam.
• The linkage of religion, the national government,
  and nationalism led to a degeneration of the
  separation of church and state in India. This, in
  turn, had decreased the level of religious
  tolerance in that country.
• The Aryan conquerors lived side by side with the
  indigenous inhabitants of the subcontinent, and
  many features of Hinduism may have been adapted
  from the religions of the non-Aryan peoples of
  India.

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Comparisons

• Hinduism developed in India and spread through
  southeast Asia ,Africa and the Caribbean
• The people of the Caribbean were introduced to
  Hinduism as being brought there as labor this was
  also how Hinduism was brought to Africa however
  Hinduism spread in southeast Asia through trade
• Hinduism in the Caribbean was very similar
  however the reduction in practice of the
  traditional Hindu caste system is similar in
  modes of worship and celebrations, the
  establishment of Hindu temples and the practice
  of Hindu bamboo marriage. Since Indians were
  allowed to practice their religion in their new
  environment, to a large extent, Hinduism is very
  much alive in the Caribbean
• Hinduism was very similar in Africa because they
  were introduced in the same manor
• In south east Asia however it moved through
  conquest of many of the Asian empires

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Uses in the World Today

• About 900 million people in the world practice
  Hinduism today.
• Hinduism is practiced mainly all over the world,
  but it is mainly and mostly practiced in India.
• Many aspects of Hinduism, such as karma, dharma,
  and reincarnation are noticed and believed all
  around the world, and not only by Hindus.
• Hinduism is the third largest religion in the
  entire world.
• There are many songs of and about karma and
  dharma in the new age music of todays society.
• Hindu studies are now offered as a major in many
  colleges and universities in todays society.
• There are Hindu temples in almost every country
  of the world today.
• Many science theories in todays society come
  from the Vedas in the Hinduism religion.

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Who Did What?

• Amanda Shaw Chronology Change Over Time
• Lauren Pinion PIRATES Uses in Todays World
• James Pitman Comparison Maps/Pictures