Hinduism

Hinduism is the most diverse religion of the major faith traditions. Unlike the indigenous religions of Africa, it has enough common strands of belief and practice that these local and regional religious expressions can be considered together. In that regard it is like other major faith traditions. It is unlike other major faith traditions because it allows adherents a multiplicity of practices to achieve spiritual goals (unlike Islam for instance which has more uniform practices) and a multiplicity of doctrinal beliefs by which they can understand the divine (unlike Judaism, for instance, which is more uniform in its belief structure). Hinduism incorporates a rich emphasis on natural order and animals, a complex pantheon of major and minor supernatural beings and a common belief that all of these and life itself emanates from Brahman. Add to these a very old body of scripture (and linguistic complexities) and a societal structure (the caste system) that is a result of and has an effect on the afterlife and we can see a very beautiful and intricate religious system.

What is characteristic of Hinduism? It’s hard to say. That is the nature of the beast. As one scholar puts it, Hinduism is “a shoreless sea.” (Stephen Neill) It has such a long and continuous history, with no known founder or founding date, no identifiable incident which precipitated its inception, no beginning at all. The faithful believe that it has always existed, and while anthropologists and sociologists and all manner of scholars will continue trying to unravel its origins and history, Hinduism has been a part of the lives of the Indian peoples for all of their history. That is not to say that it has always looked the same, or that it is without a developmental history. Nevertheless, it is not linear in its self-understanding as western religions are, and so the beliefs which have grown up and out of Hinduism reflect this perspective.

Hinduism is perhaps the oldest of the world’s religions, and it is perhaps also the most complex. It traces its beginnings to the third millennium BCE, with a scope ranging from simple animism to some of the most elaborate philosophical systems ever devised. There are quite literally millions of god, major and minor, along with their priests, their temples, their rituals. Scholars will often attribute 330 million gods to Hinduism, making possible an unlimited number and kind of religious views.

Hinduism can be a challenge for students new to the study of religions, particularly if your idea of ‘religion’ is fashioned by a limited Christian experience. In your reading of the text, pay close attention to the flexibility and fluidity of Hindu belief in a variety of gods, and the ancient nature of its texts. Notice the art forms and how the culture reflects the sensuality and texture and color of the religion. Consider, too, what it says about the understanding of time that they developed a belief in reincarnation- or is it the other way around? We don’t really know with Hinduism, as so much of the origin is lost in the mists of history, but it is clear that time is regarded differently in the eastern religions than it is in the western religions, and that makes a difference in their understandings about life and death.

There are a few comics loaded into the course which play off of Hindu ideas. Take a look at them: Do you get the joke?

Jainism

The symbol above was a Jain symbol before it became associated with Hitler's Nazism. The symbol of what we call "swastika" has ancient roots in many religions, including Native American religions. About the same time Siddhartha was becoming enlightened, Mahavira was also moving away from Hinduism. Genealogy is important to the foundations as their history attempts to demonstrate his lineage goes back further than that of the Hindu teachers of the time. While this may seem like a proverbial “chicken or egg” debate, possession of antecedent ideas are very important to Jains (and many other religions as well). Asceticism predominates the practices of Jainism. Asceticism is the practice of regular deprivation of earthly or material wants and comforts in order to achieve a spiritual goal. Another distinctive of Jainism is its refusal of political ambitions. Most Jains reject violence in favor of pursuing ahimsa.

Jaimism emerged from Hinduism as a reform movement, emphasizing the asceticism to the point of developing the doctrine of ahimsa, for which Jains are known.

The universe is composed of matter (ajiva) and soul (jiva). Souls enmeshed in matter are evil, and flesh is trapped in cycles of lives. Liberation of the soul happens by individual effort, mainly ascetical practices. Liberation of the soul requires tormenting the flesh to release the soul. Humans are not the only ones with jives, either: as souls pass through stages of transmigration, they become trapped in plants, animals, insects, stones, earth, air, fire- thus, killing of any sort is evil. It is this conviction which leads to the doctrine of ahimsa, radical non-violence.

The doctrine of ahimsa is incumbent upon all Jains, but only some individuals have the ability to undertake such serious asceticism: monks.

Jain monks take five vows:

non-injury to life (ahimsa) Avoid leather, farming, walking on insects; necessitates urban living and vegetarianism.
always speak the truth.
take only what is given
renounce sexual pleasure
renounce all attachments, including family and all possessions.

Jain monks will wear a mask; they will filter water; eat only second-hand food; sweep the path before them to avoid stepping on a living creature; and avoid swimming and bathing, so as not to damage life. The emphasis on asceticism has led some Jains to undertake a holy death fast: literally starving themselves. This is considered the highest and best observance of ahimsa, radical non-violence, the hallmark of Jain life and practice.

The problem of perpetual reincarnation is at the core of Jainism. People are trapped in a cycle of births and rebirths because of the karma of previous lives. Negative karma can be minimized by avoiding activity: so that inaction is important and respected. Unintentional evil is still evil, which can complicate things. On the positive side: Jainism differs from Hinduism in that good karma is possible.

Jains do not believe in a supreme being: The gods might exist, but they are of no use to the individual. Prayer, worship, sacrifice are useless.

Woman is man’s greatest danger: women are considered too fleshly for liberation. Mahavira, the one who is credited as the founder of Jain belief and practice, considered women a great religious danger.

The Jain scriptures are called Agamas (precepts) or Siddhantas (treatises) or Angas (limbs). They are the teachings of enlightened men, not the revealed word of God. The Agamas, for example, are sermons preached by Mahavira. There is disagreement among the Jain sects about the number of genuine Agamas.

You will read more in the text about the history and development of this religion, and about the two main Jain sects which evolved. Explore resources on the internet to examine some of Jain art and architecture, looking particularly for statues of Mahavira. What is he doing? How is this an expression of Jain belief?

Jainism Today

While there are over 40,000 temples in India to venerate the Tirthankaras of Jainism, the

Jains remain a minority in India because the doctrine of Ahimsa and the emphasis on asceticism has been appropriated by mainstream Hinduism. Asceticism is essential to the core of this religion; this is a risk and a challenge. It is a difficult way to live, and it’s not for everyone.

The doctrine of ahimsa leads Jains to refuse careers as soldiers, butchers, exterminators, farmers. They tend to work in commercial professions; respected for their honesty in business, they have been successful in this area. They have done so very well in business that Jains hold a disproportionate amount of the wealth in India.