PHIL 210: World Religions
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Recap: Vedic religion centered on elaborate sacrifice
Literally means "sitting down near" (a teacher), referring to secret teachings passed from guru to student. The Upanishads are philosophical texts that form the concluding portion of the Vedas, exploring the nature of ultimate reality (Brahman) and the self (Atman).
Spiritual teacher or master. Literally "heavy" or "weighty one"—heavy with knowledge. In Hindu tradition, the guru is essential for transmitting sacred wisdom that cannot be learned from books alone.
Rishis (sages) ponder Vedic hymns, especially the Hymn of Origins
Question: Who is "THAT ONE" by which all things exist?
"THAT ONE breathed, without breath, by its own impulse; other than THAT, there was nothing at all."
— Rig Veda 10.129 (Hymn of Origins)
Atman is the innermost self—eternal, universal, the life-force within all beings.
The innermost eternal self or soul. Not the ego or personality, but the deepest layer of consciousness that is identical with Brahman. The ultimate agent of human action, directing perception, thought, and knowledge.
In your own words, explain the relationship between Brahman (ultimate reality) and Atman (true self).
The cycle of death and rebirth. Literally "wandering." Continuous cycle driven by karma, experienced as suffering and bondage from which liberation is sought.
Action and consequences. Law of cause and effect where every action has consequences affecting present and future existence. Good karma → favorable rebirth; bad karma → unfavorable rebirth.
Yoga ("to yoke, join") = path or discipline for union with the divine
Different Hindus emphasize different yogas based on temperament:
Path of Knowledge
Path of Action
Path of Devotion
Path of Meditation
Patanjali's "eight-limbed" yoga system from the Yoga Sutras (~200 CE): (1) ethical restraints (yama), (2) observances (niyama), (3) posture (asana), (4) breath control (pranayama), (5) sense withdrawal (pratyahara), (6) concentration (dharana), (7) meditation (dhyana), (8) absorption (samadhi).
Not all Hindu philosophies interpret Brahman/world relationship the same way:
Theistic devotional traditions often emphasize relationship with personal God, not identity with impersonal Brahman
Often translated as "illusion," but better understood as the appearance of separation and multiplicity that veils ultimate unity. In Advaita Vedanta, maya is the cosmic power that makes the one Brahman appear as the many diverse phenomena of the world. It is neither fully real nor completely unreal.
Vedic-based religion challenged by Buddhism and Jainism
In response, Hinduism defines itself more clearly
"Ancient stories" containing myths, cosmology, genealogies, and ritual instructions. 18 major Puranas composed 300-1500 CE, classified by which deity (Vishnu, Shiva, or Devi) they glorify. More influential for average Hindus than the Vedas, as stories make dharma accessible to all.
Each group gets one yoga path. Create a poster explaining:
Groups present in 2 minutes each
Puja = Worship ritual performed at home shrines or temples
"Seeing and being seen" by the deity through the murti (sacred image). Not passive observation but reciprocal exchange of vision. Being beheld by the divine is transformative.
Creator
Four faces, lotus, Vedas
Preserver
Blue skin, discus, conch
Destroyer/Transformer
Third eye, trident, dance
"Descent" of deity into earthly form to restore dharma when evil threatens to overwhelm good. Vishnu has ten traditional avatars, including Rama, Krishna, and (controversially) Buddha. The final avatar, Kalki, is yet to come.
Shaktism = Goddess (Devi/Shakti) as ultimate reality
All goddess forms = manifestations of ONE Mahadevi (Great Goddess)
Tantra = Ritual/meditative system using the body as vehicle for liberation
Create a visual representation showing relationships between:
Homework: Read provided excerpt from the Bhagavad Gita for next class discussion