Unit 1, Lecture 3: Concepts of Hindu Identity and Reality

Generalized Mainstream Hinduism: Hindu/Hinduism Term: originally an outsider’s term to describe them based off the massive “Indus River” as a barrier from Persians so called the other side of the barrier as the Hindus (geographical term -> inherited by other cultures), then insiders adopted it Pre-modern: Argued to be an “umbrella term” has have in common, but important differences, has more specific traditions than Abrahamic religions Insider modern view: argued to be a single religion that differs from its ability to embrace many traditions. Unity of Diversity and Diversity of Unity. Not everyone has to agree on the same thing as people are different so can call the divine by different things, One in the same reality. “Truth is one; the wise call it by many names” Abrahamic Religions: all belong in this category but identify with their specific tradition “Orthodox, reform, conservative” Judaism, Christians, Islamic -> 1 religion as all grown in middle east so have common theologies (1 God, sacred book, prophets) Vedas: pre-moderns called themselves Vedic (followers of Vedas) - The earliest and most sacred Hindu texts - Outsider: composed 1500 – 599 BCE - 4 Vedas: each contains many texts within them ​ Insider: eternal, not written o Upanishads is a part of it in each one -> still important today o Early layers -> Hymns to the Vedic gods, ritual instructions, mystical and philosophical teachings (the Upanishads o Modern -> don’t think there’s gods, few rituals (fire burns), still Upanishads The Upanishads: “to sit down near someone else” 1 on 1 instructions from a teacher to discover Braham What is the nature of the Self (Atma/Atman)? (Deepest essence, unchanging identity core What is the ultimate reality (Brahman -> infinite, absolute)? / What is the source of all? “Secret teachings” (or powerful or dangerous to those not ready) to leave the city and go into forest so no one else can hear - Can't access the texts unless met the qualifications (was gave orally) - Is eternal, has no author -> different interpretations Main themes/Questions -> radical answers to transform viewing of the cosmos The answer to both is “one in the same” tat tvam asi -> “you are that” in that ultimate reality, there is only 1 self not 9 billion - radical teaching, you are not what you think you are, true self is very different - What you’re in your deepest essence is of the entire cosmos (highest reality) Glass of salt water: don’t see it (invisible) but taste/expereince it directly, the salt was there all along -> in dream state, Braham doesn’t seem to exist at all but experiencing it will show it was there all along The ineffability of Brahman Apophatic (negate or deny things)/Kataphatic Best to describe Braham is to not describe Braham at all, can’t grasp it - Presence: source of all awareness, in touch of true self (ultimate knower) o Eye can’t see yourself -> knower of all can’t know itself Braham as being, ultimate existence, conscious, bliss, source of all happiness -> distinct reflection of true happiness x100 -> x100 at each level more could be had o Access to this infinite bliss if wake up as it’s constantly there hidden within o We focus on the macrocosmos (body) and neglect the microcosmos (heart) Vedanta: another word for Upanishads, different interpretation Advantia: school that believes in the non-duality of you and Braham that there is only 1 or Braham is only real. Already are Braham, discovering or rediscovering Braham All of us are in a dream and goal is to wake up from suffering to realize what you already are (not suffering) to total bliss - Trapped in matrix that feels so real but wake up from it