Topic 1 Religious figures and sacred texts Flashcards
What is the Inuds Valley civilisation
The indus valley civilisation was a bronze age culture dating from 2500 to 1500 BCE. Archaeological evidence suggests a highly advanced urban culture with a society with a wealthy middle class and a centralised government.
Describe the Cities in the Indus valley civilisation and its possible links to Hinduism
It was centered aroundtowns and cities with large populations. each city was planned and designed in a grid system with a sewage system and a drainage system of pottery drain pipes. all built on platforms to protect from floods.
- Houses built around temple links to circumbulation
- Sewers links to dalists and varnas/dharma
- bathing area-puja
Describe the great bath in the Indus valley civilisation and its possible links to Hinduism
3 feet long and 3 feet wide/deep
not public surrounded by houses and smaller roos
- Site of ritual purification before worship
- ritual purification in puja
Describe the figures in the Indus valley civilisation and its possible links to Hinduism
Often made of clay, animals and female/male statues
Male/females have horns suggesting they were worshipped as part of civilisation.
Figurines of women half naked/naked suggested to be in every homefigure nursing a child or sacraficial offering
- Male figures all look the same with the same stance, beard and long hair suggesting the belief that there is one single deity (Brahman)
- Mutis
- Large eyes for darshan
- worship of mother and feritlity linking to seasonal growth of grops, shakti and darshan
Describe the economy in the Indus valley civilisation and its possible links to Hinduism
People traded amongst themselves and with other cultures. city dwellers, traded with farmers on items such as cotton, imber and livestock. They also had standardised weights, measures, food supply and pottery.
- Links to dharma artha
- Indus people were skilled in metal, bronze and copper- highly decorative items used in puja.
- ahimsa
- individuals dress murti
Describe the belief in the afterlife in the Indus valley civilisation and its possible links to Hinduism
disposal of dead at monhenjo daro and harrapa was varied.
Cremation and burial popular
- Buried with possessions, pots bows, ornaments and mirrors. Links to belief in afterlife. and world renouncer stage
cremation popular in hinduism
Describe the seals in the Indus valley civilisation and its possible links to Hinduism
In mohenjo daro over 200 small square seals found made of stealite, ivory or pottery.
often including cattle, crocoodiles, tigers, rhino, tigers, buffalo , snakes and scenes of rituals.
Proto-shiva found at Harrapa. its ‘horned God’ headress consists of two buffalo horns. It is a male deity sits crossed legged.
- Lots of sacred animals
- links with ahimsa
- scenes of ritual practice
- proto shiva links to shiva as shiva is seen in the crossed legged position ‘great yogi’
- Shiva is often represented by the linga, is also known as ‘three faced’ and lord of beasts
What is the Aryan civilisation
Aryans originally came from Central Asia, east of the caspian sea. Some believe that it is a forceful invasion or waves of settlement over a long period of time. They first settled in the Punjab before spreading southward to north india.
Arya meaning noble ones and were tall and fair skinned, they had conquered Drayus who were dark skinned and squat nosed. Many scholars link this to the start of the varna system.
They were illeterate and so their scriptures (the vedas) were passed down orally. They built no cities, domesticated the cow and horse and worshipped warlike gods e.g Indra ‘smasher of cities’
What is the Aryan civilisation
The aryans originally came from central Asia, east of the caspian sea. It is debatable amongst scholars whether this was a forceful invasion or a settlement over time.
What are the vedic sacrifices?
The central practice of the vedic religion was Yajna- the fire sacrifice, which was based upon making offerings to the devas (Gods) by placing them in the fire. The ritual and sanskrit words were conducted by brahmins.
Early vedic devas include: Varuna (creator) Indra (thunder God) and Rudra (controller of powers of nature).
Brahmins call upon the devas to attend the sacrifice and offerings to them would be placed in the fire and consumed. often ghee, milk, fruit and grains.
One aspect of the sacrifce was preparing and drinking soma a substance allowing people to ‘see’ the deity.
Central deva- agni
What is the structure of vedic society
The origin of vedic society can be traced back to the purusha sukta in the rig veda which describes the creation of the universe by the devas by sacrificing the giant purusha or cosmic man. Different parts of the giant were used to create the varna system showing that this system was created by the Gods. Brahmins (mouth) Kshatriyas (arms) Vaishyas (thighs) sudras (feet)
Describe the story of Krishna and Arjuna
Tells the story of a conversation In the Bhagavad Gita.
There were two sets of cousins competing for the throne the pandavas (good dharma) and the kurus (adharma). The pandavas wanted to settle the dispute peacefully but they had to battle in the end in Kurukshetra.
Krishna did not want to pick a side so he offered his army to one (Kurus) and himself to the (pandavas).
Arjuna persuades Krishna that he should perform his dharma as khshatriya and fight. This forms the beginning of the Bhagavad Gita which forms part of the Mahabharata
Action done out of a sense of duty without attatchment has no karmic affects
What is Jnana yoga
Jnana yoga is the most advanced form of yoga expressed in the Bhagavad gita and in the past only belonged to the brahmins.
Jnana means knowledge or wisdom and in the Gita krishna explains that jnana consits of understanding the body kshetra and kshetrajna the soul/atman and the relationship between them.
The goal of jnana is liberation from the illusionary world of maya by developing an understanding and ability to distinguish between real and illusion. This can enable Hindus to get to moksha
What are the four pillars of knowledge in jnana yoga
Viveka-discrimination between the real and un real
Vairagya-detachment from worldy possessions and the ego
Shatsampat-six virtues which develop the ability to see beyond maya calmness, restraint renunciation endurance faith and concentration
Mumukshutva- intense and passionate desire to ahcieve liberation
It is the process of converting the intellectual knowledge into practical wisdom through the mind and experiencing the diety.
Quotes for jnana yoga
“they who understand the difference between the creation and the creator know the technique of the liberation from the trap of maya with the help of knowledge attain the supreme”
What is karma yoga
In the bhagavad gita krishna tells arjuna that action done out of a sense of duty without attatchment has no karmic affects and is a path to liberation.
Karma yoga is the yoga of unselfish action and purifies the heart through acting selflessly without desire for reward or gain. It is acting in accordance to dharma without consideration of the results or fruit of the action.
Every action must be selfless act of service to the divine
What is Bhakti yoga + different kinds of bhakti yoga
Bhakti is the belief that a personal relationship with god is possible based on love and devotion expressed through service. Bhakti is a path which leads to moksha stressing inner feelings rather than formal rituals.
Sakamya bhakti- devotion with desire for material gain
Nishkamya bhakti- the worshipper tries to be one with God and recieve spiritual blessings
Apara Bhakti- for those beginning to practise yoga the worshipper believes God is supreme and can only be worshipped in image form
Para bhakti- highest form of bhakti worshipper sees god and his power everywhere
“God is lpve love is God”
Compare Smirti and Shruti texts
Smirti: less sacred “that which can be remembered” and refers to texts that are easy to understand because of its use of mythology and stories. four main smirti texts are the Iithasas (epics) Bhagavad Gita (philosophy) the puranas (stories) and the dharma shastra (law books)
Shruti: Oldest and most sacred. Handed down orally “that which is heard” contains universal laws two main parts upanishads and vedas
What is the vedas
The most important and oldest Hindu scriptures in the world. Shruti texts and the words of Brahman. Vedas meaning knowledge wisdom or vision. The laws of the vedas regulate social legal domestic and religious customs
composed around 1500-1000 BCE
four vedas
What is the rig veda
most important and oldest divided into 10 books and has 1028 hymns, contains story of purusa (primal man) mainly contains worship of deities
What is the Sama Veda
Chants melodies sung during worship, its purpose was liturgical and practical
What is the Yajur Veda
Handbook for priests brahmins to use in worship and the performance of yajnas (sacrafices) also called the book of formulas and is divided into two sections old (black) and new (white)
What is the Atharva veda
most recent vedas abd contains 20 books of hymns and mantras reflecting the religious concerns of every day life, cast charms and spells to protect against disease and prevent harm. some assosiated with marraige and funereals
Describe the Ramayana story
Rama was forced into exile for 14 years in the forest and sita and his brother lakshmana went with him. The evil demon king of sri lanka ravanna kidnaps sita rama seeks help of monkey warror hanuman and they build a bridge and fight ravanna sita proves her loyalty by walking through fire
