Beliefs
Brahaman & Atman
Samsara & MokshaThe concept of samsara is the process of reincarnation, or constant rebirth. It is the circle of life and how it continues when we die, because our divine reality takes a new form in the world.
The concept of moksha is liberation from samsara. In the Upanishads, moksha is the ultimate goal because it is the highest level of enlightenment. It is the ultimate goal because one can become free of the things that keep us in the world. People let go of resentment, emotions, and desires. The Upanishad believe that these things limit an individual and does not allow the individual to be free because they are things that keep a person from seeing the world as a whole. Once a person detaches themselves from these things and embraces the world as whole, they are then liberated from samsara. |
Maya
The concept of Maya is that the universe is one holy reality that can take on different forms. So it is magic and matter. This means that the world is real, but not how people perceive it to be. People assume that the world is solid and permanent but in fact is more like thoughts and dream, it shifts and changes. Upanishads states that the world is less like a machine and more like a consciousness that can change its form. Maya is the belief that we are all a source of divine reality and when we die, the divine reality with in ourselves does not die with our physical form.
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Practices
Meditation
Meditation is can be performed through various types of yogas or through out daily actions. Meditation in Hinduism is used to promote practices like Ahimsa, not hurting living beings. This is done by shunning greed, refusing to steal or embracing truthfulness (Molloy 92). Posture is an important part of meditation. The lotus posture, padmasana, is when a person who is meditating sits with legs crossed, each foot touching the opposite leg (Molloy 92). Meditation requires breath control,restraint, steadying of the mind, and dhyana (when the mind is focused on one object of concentration). Ultimately Samadhi is a mental state in which an individual "loses the sense of being separate from the rest of the universe" (Molloy 92). This can be achieved by deep mediation. |
Yoga
Yogas are more of an active path to spirituality. It is a type of way that people perfect their union with the divine. Yogas are set up to an individuals caste and personality.
The type of yogas are: 1. Jnana Yoga or Knowledge Yoga: This type of Yoga is appropriate for priest and intellectuals because they study the Upanishads and Bhagavad Gita to attain insight about the one's divine nature. 2. Karma Yoga or Action Yoga: It teaches that all work done without the desire of reward can be a way of perfection. 3. Bhakti Yoga or Devotion Yoga: Expressing various form of devotion through chants, songs, and food offerings. 4. Raja Yoga or Royal Yoga: sitting quietly and calming the mind. 5. Hatha Yoga or Force Yoga: An exercise form that helps with meditation. It involves stretching, and breathing techniques. |
Rituals
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Religious festivals are associated with seasons and events in God's life. An example of a seasonal festival is the Holi. The Holi welcomes spring and is celebrated by boys and girls who playfully throw colored water at each other. An example of a religious holiday based on a God's life is the Kumbh Mela. This is a festival that occurs every twelve years and it is about the story of Vishnu and other deities who churned nectar from primeval ocean milk. It is celebrated by dance, plays and bathes in the Ganges River (Molloy 103). |
Source:
1. Molloy, Michael. Experiencing the World's Religion: Traditions, Challenges, and Change. 6th ed. New York: McGraw Hill. 2012. Print.
2. Hindu Beliefs. YouTube video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpJ9CqhOvXQ
3. Holi Festival of colors kicks off India. YouTube video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaysqwFoVOE
4. Kumbh Mela Festival begins in Allahaba. YouTube video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3a3F_XcBJQg
1. Molloy, Michael. Experiencing the World's Religion: Traditions, Challenges, and Change. 6th ed. New York: McGraw Hill. 2012. Print.
2. Hindu Beliefs. YouTube video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpJ9CqhOvXQ
3. Holi Festival of colors kicks off India. YouTube video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaysqwFoVOE
4. Kumbh Mela Festival begins in Allahaba. YouTube video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3a3F_XcBJQg