University:
MacEwan University
Course:
HIST 476 | Topics in the History of Religion
Academic year:

2024
Views:

466

Pages:

3
Author:

Arthur M.

2/6 - Hinduism: God, Gods, & Goddesses Hinduism - very usual Ganesha (a god) The remover of obstacles Sitting on a lotus (as a throne) Swastika - ancient symbol meaning "wishing for all to be well" was used by Nazis Palm out (like symbolizing stop) means blessing Garland around his neck - hospitality / greeting Fruit being offered near his feet often at temples food given as an offering Animal / rat bottom left Ganesha's animal / spirit animal? 4 arms - symbol of super power most of the time, they're holding something symbolic Sometimes depicted w/ more or less arms Holding a blade of an axe - Ganesha's weapon Holding a lotus - many gods/goddesses hold them Holding a tray of Indian sweets (the rat is eating one) Ganesha loves sweets He's venerable & loved Milk sweets are also offered at the bottom One of his tusks were broken off possibly in battle against hevetics (but debatable) Head of an elephant! Son of Shiva Ganesh got his head cut off by Shiva on accident Shiva found an elephant head - put it on Ganesh Lotus is floating on water - world before it's formed World is destroyed & created in a cycle - the middle of the cycle is just an ocean Ganesh cont. Wearing a crown Ears are partially human & elephant 3 bands across his foreheads Many diff brands of Hinduism Red dot on forehead Part of worship (worn to go to temple) Sometimes w/ being married Just for looks 3rd eye to awaken 3rd eye / spiritual eye Lot of jewelry wealth & nobility not feminine Feminine facial features Columns behind him - possibly western influenced temple architecture Pot on top of column - auspiciousness How Many Gods are there? Obvious answer - yes not necessarily Theism = belief in god Polytheism = belief in many gods Monotheism = belief in one god Ultimate Reality (Brahman) = God Brahman name placeholder beyond words All gods are part of the One The world is created by ONE being Can answer question of # of gods in many ways ultimate level of analysis - ONE God → Truth is one, the wise call it by many names good motto for Hindu theology Brahman forms into deities worshipping many gods → led back to Brahman Hinduism not polytheism or monotheism New term - henotheism → heno = one use the same as mono use Kathenotheism → a god you are praying to will be treated as the one deity one god is exalted, but there are other gods monotheism in many forms Ishta-devata: one's "chosen deity" divine form to which a person is centrally devoted The Trinity Brahma, Vishnu, & Shiva Better to not think of this trinity 3 different sexes based on centrally-devotal god Shaivism - Shaivas (Shiva) Vaishnavism - Vaishnavas (Vishnu) Shaktism - Shaktas (Devi)