Hinduism Worksheet Essay

Name: Tradition: Hinduism
Instructions: Complete and submit one worksheet for Hinduism OR Buddhism (week two), Taoism OR Confucianism (week three), and Shinto (week four). A total of three worksheets for the course. You will be researching some 25 aspects of each religious tradition: a total of 75 items for the course. This assignment is based on the course text readings. For full credit the worksheet, a) must be completed in full (25 separate entries), b) must identify your specific topic for each entry, c) must provide dates for entries 1-10, d) must provide examples or illustrations for each entry to explain your thoughts and ideas, and e) must not contain multiple or redundant entries of the same information (people, events,
practices, etc.). See the sample worksheet for an example of how entries should appear on your completed assignment.

Sources Used To Complete Worksheet

● Experiencing the World’s Religions, Chpt 3 Hindiusim, Michael Molloy, T. L. Higers, McGraw Hill, New York N.Y.
● Religion Facts, http://www.religionfacts.com/hinduism/symbols/
●

Significant Historical Individuals Associated With The Tradition

1) Shankara (c.
788- 820) – argued that one in all is Brahman - our ordinary experience makes us see a thing as wrong, perception is mistaken. Anyone that perceives things as being separate and different from Brahman is wrong.
2) Monhanda Gandhi (1869-1948) – did not believe in violence, going against the teachings of Hinduism, he practiced non-violence, and one example was the Salt March of 1930. He was assassinated by Hindu militants in 1948.
3) Swami Vivekananda (1863-1902) – Represented Hinduism at the first world Parliament of Religions in Chicago. In 1893 he started the Ramakrishna Mission and set up Vedanta societies and Ramakrishna centers in Europe, India and United States.
4) Swami Bhaktivedanta Prabhupada (1896-1977) – Founded the International Society for Krishna Consciousness in New York in 1967. It attracted westerners to live a traditional form of Hindu religious life.
5) Christopher Isherood (1904-1986) – with the influence of his guru, Swami Prabhavananda became a Vedantist and translated the Bhgavad Fita (song of the Divine One) into English.

Significant Historical Events Of The
Religion

6) ISKCON (1967) (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) a movement in attracting westerners to live a traditional form of Hindu religious life. They worshiped Krishna as the highest incarnation of the divine. Chant daily, consume vegetarian diet.
7) Axis Age (500B.C.E) – Everything turned in a new direction. Vedic religious beliefs and practices doubts began to come about. Some questioned the value of the sacrifices and some resented the priestly class. Some people abandoned social life to live alone in the forest.
8) Bhagavad Gita (200B.C.E – 200C.E.) – This poem shaped by the priestly class became a spiritual classic
9) Alexander the Great (d. 323 B.C.E.) brought his army from Greece and reached the Indus River. He tried to conquer India and then reach China. Even though he was not successful in the invasion, he brought Greek and profoundly influenced northwest India for Centuries.
10) Aurangzeb (d. 1707) was harsh and destroyed Hindu temples and at times demanded conversion to Islam or death.
Important Rituals And Practices Of The Religion

11) Brahmin – the priest traditionally preforms Vedic ritual and acts as a connselor
12) Yoga’s – different methods to help people live spiritually.
One type Jnana Yoga – to bring insight into one’s devine nature by studying the Upanishads and Bhafavad Gita, their commentaries and learning from teachers that have reached insight.
13) Puja – devotional ritual performed at an altar, offering flowers, food, fire and incense to images of gods.
14) Holi – Boys and girls playfully throw colored water on each other evoking images of Krishna;s exploits eith the milkmaids
15) Durga Puja – Happens in December celebrates the goddess Durga’s ability to overcome dangerous powers. People dance in front of her statue in the street, the festival ends with the immersion of her statue in the river.

Important Symbols And Their Meanings Of The Religion

16) Devi – The Great Mother, goddess. Worshiped through India. She is portrayed in many forms and can be both loving and cruel. She is harsh to those that show themselves unworthy of her love.
17) Aum - Hindu sacred sound that is considered the greatest of all
mantras 18) Bindi – Traditionally worn by married Hindu women , believed to protect women and their husbands.
19) Lotus – Meaning one should live in the world in order to gain release from rebirth: without attachment to one's surroundings.
20) Pratik - The symbol of the Ananda Marga, movement, which was founded in India in 1955 and emphases social service along with yoga and meditation. -

Important Theological Concepts Of The Religion

21) Trimurti – When three Gods come together – meaning triple form
22) Brahma –The creative force that made the universe. When one reaches insight he is considered the personal aspect of Brahman and is thought of as a special patron of the priestly class.
23) Vishnu – The force of preservation in the universe. A god is associated with the sun, thought of as light and warmth that destroys darkens. Today Vishnu in different forms is the most important object of devotion in India.
24) Rama – a Historical figure that took a mythic proportion. Rama meaning God, sometimes used as the Ram.
25) Krishna – and incarnation of Vishnu. A fertility worship. He is depicted in several forms.