RLG100Y1 Lecture : Lecture Notes on Hinduism-February 12th
February 12
Hinduism
- Vedic religion (sacrificial religion that brings together community; goal ± uphold
the world (intrinsic) harmony)
- Vedic religion is structured around a set of text called Vedas
Vedas:
- enormous collection of text
- divided into 4 major sections:
o Mantras
Collection of poetic, cryptic hymns
o Brahmanas
Collection of texts; ritual commentaries on the first section
(mantras)
o Aranyaka
Text written in the forest ± in opposition with community
Forest ± people who chose to live away from community; away
from the structures of society
Forest = text that are likely critical of the values and structures of
society
More philosophical content/commentaries of Mantras
Contemplation of ideas
Opposes Brahmanas
o Upanisads
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text that are composed in the forest context
considered to be secret/more advanced teachings
idea: like sitting next to teacher/guru; they judge if an individual is
capable of more advanced teachings
philosophical
From Vedic religion comes the Sramana movement,
- 3 groups that emerged from the Sramana:
o 1. Jains
o 2. Buddhist
o 3. Hindu(ism) ± later to be called
Major difference between the Hindus and Jains+Buddist = Jains and Buddhist reject the
Vedas
- Hindus think its too far to throw the Vedas out ± the way that they have been
interpreted (ritualistic interpretation)
- Vedic religion can be corrupted and ignored but not the Vedas
- Hindus look back to the first section of the Vedas and come up with a new
interpretation
www.notesolution.com
Document Summary
Vedic religion (sacrificial religion that brings together community; goal uphold the world (intrinsic) harmony) Vedic religion is structured around a set of text called vedas. Divided into 4 major sections: mantras, brahmanas. S collection of texts; ritual commentaries on the first section (mantras: aranyaka. S text written in the forest in opposition with community. S forest people who chose to live away from community; away from the structures of society. S forest = text that are likely critical of the values and structures of society. 948930,7 text that are composed in the forest context. S idea: like sitting next to teacher/guru; they judge if an individual is capable of more advanced teachings. 3 groups that emerged from the sramana: 1. Major difference between the hindus and jains+buddist = jains and buddhist reject the. Hindus think its too far to throw the vedas out the way that they have been interpreted (ritualistic interpretation)
