Hinduism

Hinduism

1. Sacred Spaces

   • River Ganges - The city of Varanasi surrounding the river is predominately a Shiva community (branch of Hinduism) and Shiva had a strong relationship with the goddess Ganga
   • Temples, also known as 'mandirs' used for worship, particularly puja
   • Adherents homes - often with private shrines for the performance of rituals such as puja and for Golu during Navaratri, when dolls are placed on an uneven number of steps and adherents come by to worship them and present them with offerings, including flowers and sweets

2. Rituals

   • Kumbha Mela
   • Navaratri Festival
   • Ganges

3. Development

   • Originated in India between approximately 3,000 and 4,000 years ago
   • Discovered when researchers uncovered ancient cities in the Indus Valley, during the Harappan Civilisation (circa 2700 BCE)
   • 80% of the Indian population are Hindu
   • Fastest growing religious tradition in Australia, due to migration rather than conversion

4. Power and Authority

   • Caste System
     • Brahmin, Kshatryia, Vaishya, Sudras and Dalit
     • Indian Constitution outlawed untouchability in 1950 but it still remained prominent in society
       • Through the 2001 Gujarat earthquakes, it was shown that these practices are still sustained in times of calamity (continuity)
     • Formulated to achieve social stratification, as sourced from the Rig Veda
     • Shows continuity and change in the belief system

5. Dissent

   • Globalisation has lead to a commercialisation of practices such as Yoga, not appreciating the spiritual influence but just merely the physical
   • Cultural appropriation - using the symbols and attire for fashion rather than appreciating their spiritual value
   • 1996 Film by Deepa Mehta, 'Fire' revealed two lesbian lovers
     • Terms were used out of context, creating controversy; as of woman was called Radha, which is a consort of Krishna

6. Gender Roles and Sexual Ethics

   • Marriage is for intimacy, but also for adherence to religious duty
     • Marriage allows transition into the householder ashrama
   • Homosexuality is not rejected, as revealed in the Books of Kama Sutra where same-sex couples perform sexual acts for pleasure, but is also not firmly encouraged due to the religious duty of prajaa; procreation
   • Although outlawed in 1850, the ritual suicide of sati performed by widowed women was in some Hindu groups an expectation
   • Third Gender is becoming increasingly more accepted and popular, known as hijras
   • June 2018 - India legalised homosexuality

7. Technology and Globalisation

   • Ganges
   • Urban vs Rural (Caste System
   • Sacred texts are accessible online, taking away need for unity among Hindus to access texts
   • Yoga classes are now a point of income due to commercialisation

8. Key Beliefs

   • Dharma Varna and Dharma Ashrama
   • Moksha - release from the cycle of samsara