Indian Religion and Philosophy Lecture Notes PDF

Indian Religion and Philosophy  Subregions in Asia Northeast West Asia Asia Central Asia South Asia Southeast...

Indian Religion and Philosophy  Subregions in Asia Northeast West Asia Asia Central Asia South Asia Southeast Asia  Introduction India is home to one of the oldest continuous civilizations on Earth and simultaneously to a degree of cultural variability whit which few other regions can compare; Indian subcontinent includes India and neighboring countries that have a common history; Som Hindu and Buddhist philosophical systems belong to the most profound achievements of human thought  Period of cultural history Vedic period 1500 – 600 BCE Vedas: Orally transmitted Aryan scripture, forms basic Hindu worldview to this day Brahmanism worldview Emergence of the caste system, which placed priest at the top of the social ladder. Reform movements 600 – 200 BCE The transformation from small-scale settlements into republican states Religious innovation: Questioning the Brahmanism worldview by Jains and Buddhists, the traditionist side gradually formed Hinduism Classical Indian Culture 200 BCE – 1200 CE Kingdoms were the norm of government Highly sophisticated urban lifestyle, a tremendous amount of literature, theatre, music, and science Buddhism and Hinduism existed side by side and influenced each other Hindu religion spread to and become dominant in continental and maritime Southeast Asia, while Buddhism spread to the south and southeast, and to the north and northeast *Tibet and China)  Period of cultural history The period of Islamic Conquests 1200 – 1800 The wave of migration of Persians, the followers of the ancient Iranian religion of Zoroastrianism, fleeing from Muslims who were taking over their country. The Muslims introduced Islam to India. Attempt the synthesis of Muslim beliefs with Hindu heritage – the Sikhs emerged - and fierce struggle for domination. Buddhism lost its royal patronage and suffer a final blow from which never recover in India The era of colonial wars 1500 - 1850 The discovery of the sea route around Africa to India by Vasco da Gama (1498) soon led to an era of colonial wars The Portuguese, the Dutch and the British vied for control the Indian subcontinent British finally emerged victorious over their competition as well as the Mughals empire and its dependent states. Modern India thought 1850 – 1947 – to date Emerged during the British colonial regime Provided discourse for the cultural and political independence movement Ended of the colonial rule of partition of the subcontinent (1947) Brahmanism/ Hinduism Worldview Background Developed from the beliefs of the Indo-Aryan tribes who moved into India between 1500 – 1300 BCE, Designated by two terms: Brahmanism and Hinduism (Hindu gains its currency in distinguishing from Muslims). Vedic scripture: Veda means “knowledge” The scriptural tradition of Brahmanism/Hinduism, collections of ancient, initially transmitted hymns and comments to them. Upanishadic Period (600 BCE – 200 BCE) Hinduism accepted the Vedas and added the Upanishads, and worship began in temples. The Upanishads are interpretations of the Vedas. The Upanishads moved Hinduism’s focus from sacrificial practices to the inner self.  Background Hinduism is one of the oldest religions, and the third largest religion in the world. Hinduism is practiced by 80% of India’s population, and by 30 million people outside India. Gave birth to Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism Tolerance and diversity: "Truth is one, paths are many" A philosophy and a way of life – focused both on this world and beyond Concepts and Doctrines  The Worldview The concept of divinity in Indian and Greek thought is quite different. Greek gods are organized in a hierarchy on the one hand, and myths report their struggles on the other hand. The goals of Indian hymns were to incline the gods to grant what was asked of them during rituals and sacrifices. This result on an interesting view: Knowledgeable human started to see themselves on par with the gods they were addressing because their activities were able to manipulate them. It was them who controlled the rituals on which the gods were dependent. This supports the emergence of a strictly hierarchical society in which the priests or Brahmans were at the top From Brahmanism to Hinduism Shift focus away from sacrifice; De-monopolization and de-ritualization of the communion with the gods, which now was no more the domain of the priestly caste alone, nor only available through the ritual of sacrifice. Three higher classes (priest, warrior and self-employed) are twice- borns, i.e. initial ceremony that the male members of these castes went through and qualified them for the study of scriptures, no longe exclusive to the priests. Concepts and Doctrines - The Caste System 1. Brahmans the priestly caste role is to study and teach in matters of faith lead most key rituals 2. Kshatriyas the warrior caste role is to protect the people and run a fair government 3. Vaishyas traders, merchants, farmers, artists, businesspeople role is to take care of the economic needs of the community 4. Shudras lowest caste they serve the three higher castes unskilled workers, servants, menial workers Untouchables also called outcastes considered outsiders and may not interact in any way with members of the four castes they did the dirtiest work in society and lived separately Reincarnation  Moksha (Liberation) The goal of religious practice is to attain a deep level of knowledge of the samsara, making it possible for the self of the individual to be released after death and can dissolve itself in the Brahman, instead of transmigrating to another body. This is the idea of liberation Body (Caterpillar) Mind/Personality (Conscious and Subconscious) (Butterfly) Atman – Brahman (Flying)  Moksha (Liberation) By going beyond their bodies, thoughts, and feelings, Hindus discover their true selves, or atman. Hindus believe that coming to a consciousness of themselves as Brahman is the way to defeat death. Brahman is the power that sustains the universe and is its deepest reality. Realizing that Brahman or atman is present in everyone and everything is to be set free.  Trimurti (Three Gods) Brahman is said to manifest in the form of many deities (avatar). Three of these deities together—Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva—symbolize the cycle of existence. BRAHMAN BRAHMA VISHNU SHIVA CREATOR PRESERVER DESTROYER  Scriptures/Epics Veda Canon “Upanishads” means “sit down near.” Each Upanishad is like a conversation where a person sits down beside a wise teacher to learn about the Vedas. Many of these are stories of beloved Hindu characters who are role models of dharma living. the Bhagavad Gita: a dialogue between a great prince, Arjuna, and his charioteer, Krishna the Ramayana: the story of Prince Rama and his wife Sita  Ramayana – The Legend of King Rama https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5yCDQ3qhlA Hinduism: Major concepts Four wants Four major stages of life Four major stations of life (caste) Four major paths to God (Yogas) Four Stations in Life  Four Goals Security (Artha) - Success (i.e. wealth, fame, power…) Pleasure (Kama) Duty (Dharma) (i.e. to be needed, useful, helpful…) Liberation (Moksha) – being, awareness, bliss…) A Hindu man who moves through the stages performs his duty and comes to recognize that all life is ultimately an illusion and that the ultimate goal is liberation (moksha). Four Pathways (Yoga) Method of training/discipline designed to lead to integration or union Yoke – Your own consciousness to transcendent Get rid of desire and fear by shifting consciousness Defined broadly as the discipline of “following your bliss” Four Pathways (Yoga) Buddhism  Buddhism Richard Gombrich (2009) contends: The Buddha was ‘one of the most brilliant and original thinkers of all time’ (2009: vii), whose ‘ideas should form part of the education of every child, the world over’, which ‘would make the world a more civilized place, both gentler and more intelligent’ (2009: 1) Buddhism, at least in numerical terms, as ‘the greatest movement in the entire history of human ideas’ (2009: 194).  The Buddha Born Siddhartha Gautama Shakyamuni in 563 B.C.E. into the noble caste in India At the age of 29 he rejected the life of luxury, and sought enlightenment and the solution to suffering He became Buddha, the “Awakened One” at the age of 35, spent the remaining 45 years of his life teaching others how to achieve the peace of mind he had achieved The emphasis in Buddhism is on the teachings of the Buddha(s), and the ‘awakening’ of human personality that these are seen to lead to. Holy Places Lumbini (Nepal): Birthplace of Buddha Bodh Gaya: Enlighten Sarnath: Sermon and Death  Schools of Buddhism Theravāda school (Southern Buddhism): “the way of the elder” or ‘small vehicle’ focus on monastic community; Mahāyāna school (Eastern Buddhism): ‘great vehicle’ also acknowledged the capability of lay people to attain liberation; ‘Northern Buddhism’, the area of Tibetan culture, which is the heir of late Indian Buddhism, where the Mantranaya/Vajrayāna version of the Mahāyāna is the dominant form.  Teaching was recited from disciple’s memories and survived in oral forms for centuries. Tachings were first written down in the first century BCE in Sri Lanka Scriptures in Pali, then reverted to the use of Sanskrit. Tripitaka (Three Baskets) Sutras: Buddha’s talk Vinaya: rules for monastic life Abhidharma: Buddhist metaphysics Buddhist Teaching  Brahmanism influences Reinterpreted the key concepts of Brahmanist heritage, and formulated quite a few radical innovations. Not reject the tradition entirely, simply broaden its horizon The cycle of rebirths (samsara) involves many other forms of life. Re-incarnation: getting a gross physical body again. Avoid causing suffering for oneself and others in this life; to gain relatively pleasant rebirths through good actions; ultimately to transcend rebirths altogether; and to help others to do so.  Four Noble Truths The painful, encompassing the various forms of ‘pain’ – to be fully understood The origination (cause of pain; i.e craving) – to be abandoned The cessation of craving - to be personally experienced The path lead to this cessation – to be developed/cultivated Nirvana: Buddhist Idea of Liberation “extinction”: is the subject of the third noble truth. Both as a state of bliss and as a state empty of all cognitions In order to achieve Nirvana, a person must follow The Middle Way (Eightfold Path – 8 rules for conduct), state in the fourth noble truth. Buddhist ethics: The Eight-Fold Path Wisdom: Right understanding Moral discipline: Right motivation Right speech Mental discipline: Right action Right effort Right livelihood Right mindfulness Right meditation Ideas: Compassion and wisdom combined The bodhisattva: ‘enlightened being’ – someone who had actually attained liberation and exited from samsara, but give up this perks for the benefit of other beings still entrapped. The arhat: traditional Buddhist school – a person care only about their own liberation Shunyata (emptiness): the absence of self-nature Karuna (compassion): the extension of all protective feelings one had about oneself to all other sentient beings Prajna (perfect wisdom): the in-depth comprehension of the empty nature of all reality  Tibetan Mantra https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayGQoJdRcdQ How are Buddhism and Hinduism Similar? Buddhists and Hindus believe … Karma is a cycle of cause and effect “Similar actions will lead to similar results” (Santina) Dharma is duty Samsara is the cycle of rebirth (“Major Differences”) How are Buddhism and Hinduism Different? Buddhism rejects… Authority of the ancient Vedic texts The Vedic caste system The Vedic and Hindu deities The efficacy of Vedic worship and ritual The concept of Brahman (“Major Differences”) Discussion How are Buddhism and Hinduism different? How are Buddhism and Hinduism similar? Jains Background During the period of the reform movement, alternatives to the orthodox Brahmanist tradition, which remain until todays are Buddhist and Jains. Jains derives from ‘jina’ – which means ‘conquerer’, and refers to the effort of breaking out the cycle of rebirths to achieve omniscience The Jains uphold the principles of non-violence in the extreme, and this can be seen as their principal contribution to Indian thought as a whole. The Founder Historical founder of the faith was Vardhamana Mahavira, around 400 BCE. He was born into a warrior clan, and had the experience of religion awakening, performed austerities, and achieved enlightenment, which he then preached to an increasing following. The Jains tradition consider Mahavira to be only the 24th “ford-makers” - teachers who help people to cross to the ‘other side’ in the everlasting history of the universe. Ideas Three central blocks of the Jain tradition are: Correct teaching (faith - darshana): means correct attitude to reality rather than blind faith. Correct knowledge: denotes argumentative reasoning, without which such an attitude would be insufficient. Correct behavior The Jain views of reality is realistic and relatively commonsensical Viewed deities, not as powerful, but as capable helpers of pious believers. Their Devine status is not eternal, but the result of accumulated good karma  Ethics Jains uphold the principle of ahimsa, or non-violence, which essentially distinguishes them sharply from orthodox Brahmanism with its animal sacrifices. Jains also credit plants with consciousness and feelings Not giving food to anyone starving is considered an act of violence. Ahimsa: Complete abstention from any kind of violence towards other beings. Ahimsa and Four wows Indian Worldview under Muslim Rule – The Sikhs  The syncretic tradition of the Shikhs was established by Nanak (1469-1539), who was born into a merchant family near Lahore in Punjab (now Pakistan), became the first guru (teacher), the spiritual leader of the new community. Background All together, their tradition counts 11 gurus, but only 10 people and the final one is the Sikhs scripture Adi Granth (‘first book’) Doctrines Sikh means ‘learner, disciple’, or someone who follows the teachings of the guru. The most important concept is ‘the One’ – a concept of the absolute that is analogical to both the Muslim monotheism and the Hindu idea of Brahman. The One has two important qualities: its wills: brings about creation and order in the world its grace: permanent gaze on things affirms its benevolent presence. Sikhs believe in reincarnation, and egoism is considered to be the cause. Social orders are strictly egalitarian – there are no hierarchical differences of caste or gender, no permissible boundaries between ethnic groups  Practices Spiritual advancement has to be achieved in the middle of an active life, dedicated to the service of the community Voluntary work for the benefit of others is valued much more highly than rituals The Sikhs celebrate the Hindu holidays, but they have created narratives relate to the tradition of the Sikh community to legitimize them Pilgrimage to the Golden Temple and other sacred sites of Sikh history Modern Indian Thought Colonial modernity Re-interpreting the tradition Moderate and extremists The caste question The gender question The path to independence The social and cultural institutions of contemporary India are modelled on a Western blueprint, which means that philosophy has become an academic discipline, and religion has divorced from politics Traditional thinking remain a strong foothold on many levels, from the daily cultural practice of common people, to the mind of religiously engaged politicians. Indianized States of Southeast Asia Indic Southeast Asia  Indianization of Southeast Asia How an Indian Merchant Became Cambodia's First King: a Story of Indianization - YouTube Kingdoms and Empires: Continental Southeast Asia The first strong cultural and political centers of continental Southeast Asia started to emerge in the nine century. The Khmer Kingdom of Angkor (nagara – city in Sanskrit) established in 802 controlled a large area comprising of present-day Cambodia, Thailand. The sites of power and worship left in the ruins of Angkor, one of the most impressive site in Asia today. Khmer kings adopted Buddhism and Hindu alternatively. The Champa Kingdom is another (extinct) Indic center, near Da Nang and southward of present-day Vietnam. Hindu was pertinent in the Champa Kingdom until its extinct in 13th century North Burmese Kingdom of Pagan, established in 849 has become the major regional power and also the champion of Buddhism in the region. Kingdoms and Empires: Maritime Southeast Asia The islands of Java was the political center of most imperial projects in maritime Southeast asia. The earliest Kingdom of Medang was established in 8th century adopted Hindu and Buddhism The Majapahit Empire by the end of 15th century controlled present day Malaysia and Indonesia some adopted Hindu, and Muslim Nobody brought entire time Southeast Asia under control utill the invasion of European colonialists. The youngest, but altimate most successful Southeast Asian Kingdom was Thailand, which emerged in the 13th century and replaced Khmer and Pangan Kingdom as the major regional power. It managed to modernize itself in late 19th century and escape colonialization by Western power.  Transformation of Indian Worldview Syncretic beliefs Co-existence of different religions: Angkor (Cambodia): Shiva and Buddhist Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism doctrines could be merged Hinduism in Bali and (former) Champa Southeast Asia in the Colonial Age (1870 – 1914) Modernity: nationalism, royalism and communism The first actively modernizing monarch of Asia, King Mongkut of Thailand (1804 – 1968), who has established a movement to integrate Buddhism and Western science to transform Theravada into an ideology suitable for national building. His son Chulalongkorn (1853 – 1910) went even further and recognized Buddhism community under a centralised structure Religious motivation often contributed to anti- colonial struggles. Modernity: nationalism, royalism and communism Opposition to colonial regimes was more effectively mobilized by nationalism, even though the Southeast Asia demographic and cultural situation is extremely unsuitable for the construction of nation-states on ethnic or even linguistic basis. Religion was also mobilized to govern such diversity. Communism resulted on some of the bloodiest crimes in Cambodia under the name of Khmer Rouge  Hinduism in Bali https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPVy_ll9Xzk What is Animism? Animism - What Is It? Traditional beliefs and Practices The original beliefs and practices of most ethnic and cultural groups of Southeast Asia have proven to be remarkably resilient and survived the official conversion of their holders to all imported religions. Researchers report that even Islam has produced its local versions, so that the followers themselves consider certain practices to be Islamic, while scholar of religious studies judge them to be animistic Professional medium of spirit possession  Cultural practices continue to influence Animism daily practice Cultural formation of space Spirit possessions Spirit possession/Spirit medium Individuals came spirit medium Local rituals in rural Southeast Asia Intertwine with Theravada Buddhism (syncretism) Relatively been ignored in religious studies, history, and anthropology Mainly driven by studies in Thai’s context Reviving in Myanmar, Laos and Thailand Vocational careers for some urban residents Spirit Possession Ritual (4.00) is a part of UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Vietnam https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdFbNpdV3Fo Len Dong in Hanoi - YouTube  Some features of Asian thought system 1. Practical concern (the way, not the discovery of truth, was the goal of philosophy) 2. Wholeness and unity in Eastern thought 3. Inter-related reality 4. Co-existence of conflict and opposite Practical concern Hinduism is concerned with the path of attaining enlightenment Buddhism is interested in eliminating suffering in life. Confucianism is interested in the governance of a society by establishing a solid moral foundation Taoism is interested in integrating the society with nature. Zen Buddhism: Philosophy or Religion? Hinduism or Buddhism? Psychoanalysis or Jana Yoga? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rvMo39XqYs  Lecture 13 – Indian Religion and Philosophy Summary Concepts and Doctrines Deities/Avatars/Epics Schools/Practices Brahmanism/Hinduism Buddhism Jainism Sikhism Critical reflections What are the similarities and differences between Hinduism and Buddhism? Critical thinking: What are general features of Asian thought system?