Daiosm
Gerald Augustin 01/29/2013 world religion
Chapter 3 Reflection
The varieties of Hinduism perhaps began over four thousand years ago in an ancient, sophisticated civilization. Whether influenced by later invasions or migrations of aggressive Aryan tribes is a point of controversy. The Vedic religion that emerged honored many gods and centered on priests performing sacrifices using fire and sacred chants. During the Axis Age, serious questioning, philosophic inquiry, and religious experimentation produced the Upanishads. These works record insights into external and internal spiritual reality (Brahman and Atman) that can be directly experienced through certain practices. Brahman stands for a monistic outlook that sees one invisible and subtle essence or source of all reality—human, divine, and cosmic. All is ultimately one. Behind, within, and beyond all multiplicity is Brahman. Atman is the innermost spirit within all human beings, which ultimately is identical with Brahman. Maya reflects a sense of magic and mystery and accounts for the perception of different forms or multiplicity in the world. Maya hides or veils the underlying unity of all things.
Karma and rebirth are important aspects of the Hindu worldview. Justice is built into the very fabric of reality. The moral consequences of one's actions will be experienced in this life or the next. Moksha represents the idea of final liberation or freedom from all limitations, especially the round of death and rebirth. Moksha entails
Chapter 3 Reflection
The varieties of Hinduism perhaps began over four thousand years ago in an ancient, sophisticated civilization. Whether influenced by later invasions or migrations of aggressive Aryan tribes is a point of controversy. The Vedic religion that emerged honored many gods and centered on priests performing sacrifices using fire and sacred chants. During the Axis Age, serious questioning, philosophic inquiry, and religious experimentation produced the Upanishads. These works record insights into external and internal spiritual reality (Brahman and Atman) that can be directly experienced through certain practices. Brahman stands for a monistic outlook that sees one invisible and subtle essence or source of all reality—human, divine, and cosmic. All is ultimately one. Behind, within, and beyond all multiplicity is Brahman. Atman is the innermost spirit within all human beings, which ultimately is identical with Brahman. Maya reflects a sense of magic and mystery and accounts for the perception of different forms or multiplicity in the world. Maya hides or veils the underlying unity of all things.
Karma and rebirth are important aspects of the Hindu worldview. Justice is built into the very fabric of reality. The moral consequences of one's actions will be experienced in this life or the next. Moksha represents the idea of final liberation or freedom from all limitations, especially the round of death and rebirth. Moksha entails