October 13 Notes- Hinduism

Dharma: maintain the cosmic and social order
Without duty the world would transform into might makes right
Rank determined by birth, NOT merit (see post More Republic of Plato Notes for ranks)
lower ranks HAVE NOT serviced society
society is one working order

creation of world: sacrifice of Purusha
sun-eyes, moon-mind, sky-head, earth-feet

Hierarchy- Birth
Gods/Goddesses make world more stable
Samsara- cycles in life

CONTRADICTION:
keep physical balance while at same time trying to leave the world

MOKSHA:
Ultimate enlightenment
Only one KNOWN to reach moksha; Budda
Yoga- through can reach Moksha
Maya- prevents you from reaching Moksha
prevents you from seeing the world as it is: false belief
Yoga gets rid of Maya
Praveriti- evolves to more specific form of matter

4 stages of the world called yugas
each yuga decends in length
1st: Krita; 1,782,000
2nd: Treta; 1,296,000
3rd: Dvapara; 864,000
4th: Kali; 432,000
We are in the Kali Yuga
At end of physical universe everything dissolves
Brahma- ultimate Hindu god

Reconciliations:
4 Ashrams of Life:
First 2: Student and Householder; obligation to society
Last 2: Forest Dweller and Wandering World Renouncer; rid of all desires
aimed at enabling the realization of Moksha

Liberation: eliminating desires
Moksha will be reached

3 paths to enlightenment:
Path of Works: contributuing to society
Path of Knowledge: outside of society
Path of Devotion

Shiva illustrates interdependence;
perfect balance of both sides
Physical/Spirit
Ying/Yang

Vedic religion: oldest known religion

Important texts:
Bhagavad Gita (200 BC) (Kishna- Argunta)
Mahabarata (Shiva- Ganesh)
Rhamayana
The Law Books