Intro to Hinduism

🕉️Intro to Hinduism Unit 3 – Hindu Cosmology and Philosophy

Hindu cosmology and philosophy explore the nature of reality, the self, and the universe. These teachings delve into concepts like Brahman, the ultimate reality, and Atman, the eternal self. They also examine ideas of karma, reincarnation, and the cyclical nature of time. Central to Hindu thought are the goals of liberation from the cycle of rebirth and the realization of one's true nature. This is achieved through various paths, including devotion, knowledge, and selfless action. Hindu philosophy has evolved over millennia, influencing global spirituality and modern interpretations of ancient wisdom.

Key Concepts and Terminology

  • Brahman the ultimate reality, the divine ground of existence from which all things originate and to which they return
  • Atman the eternal, unchanging self or soul that is identical with Brahman
    • Distinct from the individual ego or personality
  • Maya the illusory nature of the phenomenal world that conceals the true reality of Brahman
  • Samsara the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth that is driven by karma
  • Moksha liberation from samsara and the realization of one's identity with Brahman
    • The ultimate goal of Hindu spiritual practice
  • Yoga a set of practices and disciplines aimed at achieving moksha, including meditation, devotion, and selfless action
  • Veda the oldest and most authoritative Hindu scriptures, including the Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda, and Atharvaveda

Origins and Historical Context

  • Hinduism has no single founder or point of origin, but emerged from the religious and cultural traditions of ancient India
  • The Indus Valley Civilization (3300-1300 BCE) practiced early forms of Hinduism, as evidenced by archaeological findings such as the Pashupati seal
  • The Vedic period (1500-500 BCE) saw the composition of the Vedas and the development of Vedic religion, which laid the foundations for classical Hinduism
    • Characterized by the worship of deities such as Indra, Agni, and Soma through elaborate sacrificial rituals
  • The Upanishads (800-400 BCE) mark a shift towards philosophical speculation and the concept of Brahman as the ultimate reality
  • The Bhagavad Gita (c. 200 BCE-200 CE) synthesizes various strands of Hindu thought and emphasizes the importance of devotion (bhakti) and selfless action (karma yoga)
  • The Puranas (300-1200 CE) contain mythological stories and teachings that popularized Hinduism among the masses

Major Philosophical Schools

  • The Six Orthodox Schools (Shad Darshanas) of Hindu philosophy, which accept the authority of the Vedas
    • Samkhya a dualistic system that posits two ultimate realities: purusha (consciousness) and prakriti (matter)
    • Yoga builds on Samkhya and emphasizes meditation and spiritual practices to achieve moksha
    • Nyaya a system of logic and epistemology that seeks to establish valid means of knowledge
    • Vaisheshika a metaphysical system that analyzes the nature of reality in terms of atoms and categories
    • Mimamsa focuses on the interpretation of Vedic texts and the performance of ritual actions
    • Vedanta the most influential school, which is based on the Upanishads and emphasizes the identity of Atman and Brahman
  • Heterodox schools such as Buddhism and Jainism, which reject the authority of the Vedas but share some common concepts with Hinduism
  • Bhakti movements (c. 6th-17th centuries CE) emphasized devotion to personal deities such as Vishnu, Shiva, and Shakti

Cosmic Cycles and Time

  • Hindu cosmology conceives of time as cyclical rather than linear, with the universe going through endless cycles of creation, preservation, and dissolution
  • The basic unit of cosmic time is the yuga, of which there are four: Satya Yuga, Treta Yuga, Dvapara Yuga, and Kali Yuga
    • Each yuga represents a progressive decline in morality and spirituality
  • One cycle of four yugas is called a mahayuga, lasting 4.32 million human years
  • 1,000 mahayugas constitute a kalpa, which is a single day in the life of Brahma, the creator god
    • Each kalpa is followed by an equally long period of dissolution (pralaya) before the next creation begins
  • Brahma's lifespan is 100 "years" of 360 kalpas each, after which the entire universe dissolves into Brahman (mahapralaya) before a new cycle begins

Gods and Divine Beings

  • Hinduism recognizes a vast pantheon of gods and goddesses, who are seen as manifestations or aspects of the one ultimate reality, Brahman
  • The Trimurti the three major deities who represent the cosmic functions of creation (Brahma), preservation (Vishnu), and destruction (Shiva)
    • Brahma the creator god, who brings forth the universe at the beginning of each cycle
    • Vishnu the preserver, who maintains cosmic order and balance, and incarnates on earth as avatars such as Krishna and Rama
    • Shiva the destroyer, who dissolves the universe at the end of each cycle, and is also associated with transformation and regeneration
  • The Tridevi the three major goddesses: Saraswati (knowledge and the arts), Lakshmi (wealth and prosperity), and Parvati (power and fertility)
  • Numerous other deities associated with specific functions, natural phenomena, or local traditions, such as Ganesha, Hanuman, Surya, and Durga
  • Devas celestial beings who inhabit the higher realms and oversee various aspects of the cosmos

Creation Myths and Cosmogony

  • Hindu texts contain various accounts of the origin and structure of the universe, reflecting different philosophical and regional traditions
  • In the Rigveda, the universe emerges from the primordial being Purusha, who is sacrificed by the gods to create all things
  • The Upanishads describe the universe as emanating from Brahman through the power of maya, with Brahman as the ultimate ground of existence
  • The Puranas contain elaborate creation stories involving deities such as Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva
    • E.g., Brahma creates the universe from a lotus that grows from Vishnu's navel
  • The universe is often depicted as a cosmic egg (brahmanda) that undergoes cycles of expansion and contraction
  • The physical universe is seen as consisting of five elements: earth, water, fire, air, and ether
    • These elements combine to form the various objects and beings in the universe

Karma, Dharma, and Reincarnation

  • Karma the law of cause and effect that determines an individual's future experiences based on their past actions
    • Good actions lead to positive consequences, while bad actions lead to negative consequences
  • Dharma the moral and ethical principles that govern individual and social behavior, based on one's role and stage in life
    • Following one's dharma is seen as essential for maintaining cosmic order and achieving spiritual progress
  • Reincarnation the belief that the atman (soul) passes through a series of births and deaths in different physical bodies
    • The nature of one's reincarnation is determined by the karma accumulated in previous lives
  • The ultimate goal is to achieve moksha and break free from the cycle of samsara
    • This is achieved through a combination of right action (karma yoga), devotion (bhakti yoga), knowledge (jnana yoga), and meditation (raja yoga)
  • The Bhagavad Gita emphasizes the importance of performing one's duties without attachment to the fruits of one's actions as a means of achieving liberation

Modern Interpretations and Relevance

  • Hinduism has undergone significant changes and adaptations in response to historical and cultural developments
  • The 19th-century Hindu Renaissance, led by figures such as Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda, sought to reinterpret Hinduism for the modern world
    • Emphasis on the universality of religious experience and the harmony of different spiritual paths
  • Mahatma Gandhi's philosophy of nonviolence and social reform was deeply influenced by Hindu principles such as ahimsa (non-harm) and satyagraha (truth-force)
  • The spread of Hinduism to the West has led to the development of new forms of Hindu spirituality and the incorporation of Hindu ideas into popular culture
  • The ecological and environmental teachings of Hinduism, such as the sacredness of nature and the interconnectedness of all beings, have gained renewed relevance in the face of global challenges
  • The practice of yoga has become a global phenomenon, often divorced from its Hindu roots but still drawing on key concepts such as mindfulness and self-realization
  • Hindu notions of pluralism and the validity of multiple spiritual paths have been influential in the development of interfaith dialogue and understanding


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© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.