Hinduism – Sanathana Dharma Lesson Plan 1: Introduction to Hinduism Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba says “ Hindu religion itself is not the creation of any individual. The basic Hindu faith is not for Indians alone but is for all mankind. The word "Hindu" is composed of the two syllables "Him," meaning Himsa (violence) and "Du" meaning, "distant." Hinduism is the faith that makes violence distant. That is the reason why Hinduism alone stands out as a religion that strives for the well- being of all peoples, in all countries, at all times. Hence the appellation, "Sanathana," meaning ancient or timeless. No one knows when it was revealed and who was its founder. Other religions have their chronology. The Hindu religion knows no growth or decline. It belongs to all countries. It is acceptable to all people.” -Discourse in the Prashaanthi Mandir on 23- 7-1989. Lesson 2: Origin of Hinduism Hinduism is commonly thought to be the oldest religion in the history of human civilization'' Third in the list of major religions, with more than 870 million followers, is Hinduism. Hinduism goes back to 5000 BC and is a compilation of many diverse traditions ,making it the oldest practiced religion. Hinduism has neither a specific moment of origin nor a specific founder. Rather, the tradition understands itself to be timeless, having always existed. Its collection of sacred texts is known, as a whole, as Sanatana Dharma, "The Eternal Teaching." It is a complex tradition that encompasses numerous interrelated religious doctrines and practices, that have some common characteristics but which lack any unified system of beliefs and practices. Hinduism encompasses a number of major sects, as well as countless sub-sects with local or regional variations. Hinduism is a collective term applied to the many philosophical and religious traditions native to India. According to historians, the origin of Hinduism dates back to 5,000 or more years. The word "Hindu" is derived from the name of River Indus, which flows through northern India. In ancient times the river was called the 'Sindhu', but the Persians who migrated to India called the river 'Hindu', the land 'Hindustan' and its inhabitants 'Hindus'. Thus the religion followed by the Hindus came to be known as 'Hinduism'.. .According to scholars, the evolution of Hinduism may be divided into the following periods: the ancient (6500 BCE-1000 AD), the medieval (1000-1800 AD). Lesson 3: what does 'Hindu' mean? What Does “Hindu” Mean? The word "Hindu" was of a far, far later origin; during the Greek period of history, Greeks and West Asians used the term Indu/Hindu with reference to the people living beyond the banks of the River Indus.Later the name began to be ascribed to the religion of the land also. The term “Hinduism” came into common use only in the 19th century. Again, the term was used originally by outsiders to describe the “ism” of the Hindus and, eventually, by Hindus to differentiate themselves from Muslims and others.The word Hinduism is not the original name for the religion. It is a name aquired in later historic times, while the religion has been in existence since timeless beginning. Sanatana Dharma, "The Law Eternal", is the more appropriate or rather the accurate name for the religion which is now known as "Hinduism". While there has occasionally been conflict between people of different religious ways, but for the most part, all worship in one another’s temples. Indeed, some of today’s newest temples, whether in New Delhi or Nashville, include the whole spectrum of Hindu deities under one Roots of the religion - This religion has its roots in the "Vedas" which are scriptures of the highest wisdom and which originated with creation itself. It was not a founded religion, it was based on revelations directly from God Himself to the seers during their transcendental and intuitive communion with the Divine. It was the Dharma and code of life for men of Bharat or Aryavarta from times immemorial, i.e., from even the pre-historic and most antique ages. Lesson 4: Sacred Text – Bhagavad Gita Sacred Books of Hinduism- The sacred text is '' Bhagavad Gita'' it is also known as the song celistial : the gospel given by Lord Krishna (God Himself) . other sacred texts are ''the Vedas'', '' the Upanishads'',and the two great Epics ''Ramayana'' and '' MahaBharata'. Bhagavad Gita means "Song by GOD". Bhagavad – GOD Gita – Song. A Song sung by GOD himself! Lesson 5 : Story about Reading the Bhagavad Gita An old farmer lived on a farm in the mountains with his young grandson. Each morning, Grandpa was up early sitting at the kitchen table reading his Bhagavat Gita.His grandson wanted to be just like him and tried to imitate him in every way he could. One day the grandson asked, "Grandpa! I try to read the Bhagawad Gita just like you but I don't understand it, and what I do understand, I forget as soon as I close the book. What good does reading the Bhagawat Gita do?" The Grandfather quietly turned from putting coal in the stove and replied, "Take this coal basket down to the river and bring me back a basket of water." The boy did as he was told, but all the water leaked out before he got back to the house. The grandfather laughed and said, "You'll have to move a little faster next time," and sent him back to the river with the basket to try again. This time the boy ran faster, but again the basket was empty before he returned home. Out of breath, he told his grandfather that it was impossible to carry water in a basket, and he went to get a bucket instead. The old man said, "I don't want a bucket of water; I want a basket of water. You're just not trying hard enough," and he went out the door to watch the boy try again. At this point, the boy knew it was impossible, but he wanted to show his grandfather that even if he ran as fast as he could, the water would leak out before he got back to the house. The boy again dipped the basket into river and ran hard, but when he reached his grandfather the basket was again empty. Out of breath, he said, "SEE.... it is useless!" "So you think it is useless?" The old man said, "Look at the basket." The boy looked at the basket and for the first time realized that the basket was different It had been transformed from a dirty old coal basket and was now clean, inside and out. "Son, that's what happens when you read the Bhagavat Geeta. You might not understand or remember everything, but when you read it, you will be changed, inside and out. That is the work of Bhagavad Gita in our lives. Lesson 6: Values for life Values for life -- and source (Vedokhilo Dharma Mulam); It is also called Sanatana Dharma as it delineates and embodies values and doctrines which are of eternal validity. Sanatana Dharma stands for "Rita" - the majesty of moral and spirtual law. It looks upon the whole universe as being under the purview of a moral law and subserving to the supremacy of God, its creator. Times may change, ages may roll by, continents may rise and disappear, but values of life like truth, love, compassion, one's duty to mother, father, preceptor and to fellow beings, and the eternal reality of the spirit and unity of all life, are truths and values that subsist and will subsist for ever. Hinduism exhorts people to abstain from all violence by thought, word and deed to any being or creature. These are the eternal values and truths which are embedded in the Vedas and are embodied in the religion that had evolved out of Vedas. These values being of eternal validity and universality, are the justification for the religion . Lesson 7: Basic Principles of the religion The religion was used to be known as "Vaidika Dharma" or "Vedanta", as it has the Vedas for its authority and source (Vedokhilo Dharma Mulam); "Ahimsa Paramo Dharmaha" - "Veneration of all life" (because everything is enveloped by God); "Isavasyamidam Sarvam" - "God inheres in all beings"; these are the basic, primary and fundamental tenets of Hinduism. The principle doctrines of Hinduism". God manifests Himself on earth among humans, in a human form, to guide the erring humanity into the right path and to shower His infinite love and grace. The concept of god in Hinduism is exceptionally complex and varies according to different philosophies and traditions. Generally, gods in Hinduism appear more like supreme personal beings. "Upanishads" (the end portion of Vedas- the essence of Vedas): Vedas are, of course, the basic source of Indian religious philosophy. But they are said to be originally countless- though they have been later collated by sage Vyasa into four principal texts. Rigveda, -all rituals prescribed and life styles , Samveda, - music , Yajurveda - medicine , herbs , remedies and cures, Adharvaveda The different deities and god-concepts are, as it were, so many doorways through which men can enter into the sanctum sanctorum of the One and Final Existence. To a Hindu Worshipper, the "Ishta Devta", his chosen form of deity, is both the Supreme being as well as in whom all the other gods also reside. Thus, Hinduism is essentially monotheistic but with the belief and dictum--"Infinite is God and infinite are his expressions".A moral, ethical and virtuous life is insisted upon and one should eschew and overcome the six inner enemies in our nature, viz., Kama (lust), Krodha (anger), Lobha (greed), Moha (attachment), Mada(pride) and Matsarya (hatred).