(Shri Rao)
Objective: How did Hinduism adapt to social pressures?
Overview: This page is about the influence of social pressures on Hinduism, and provides a summary of the religion of Hinduism.
• Hinduism became increasingly popular; underwent similar changes as
Buddhism; adapted to fit needs of ordinary people • Mahabharata and Ramayana (epic poems illustrating the development of Hindu values); first transmitted orally, then scholars revised and transmitted them into writing • Mahabharata war story; Ramayana love story • Bhagavad Gita (song of the lord) illustrated expectations that Hinduism made of individuals, and promise of salvation it held out to them • Dialogue from Mahabharata about Arjuna (a warrior), dealing with the fact that his enemies included some of his friends and relatives; stated that he must not worry about harming his friends and family because the soul does not die with the body; weapons do not have the power to touch the soul, nor harm or kill another person in any meaningful way • Duties of shudras to serve, vaishyas to work, brahmins to learn scriptures and seek wisdom • Teaching that faith will bring salvation |
|
• Hinduism different; said that salvation would come to those who
fulfilled the responsibilities of their caste (social class)
• Four principal aims of human life- obedience to religious and moral
prosperity (artha), the enjoyment of social, physical, and sexual
pleasure, (kama) and the salvation of the soul (moksha)
• It was believed that if you had a proper balance of dharma, artha, and
kama, you would then be able to attain moksha
• Hinduism appealed to all classes after the changes to fit the needs of ordinary people better
• Hinduism replaced Buddhism as most popular religion in India;
Buddhism moves outward towards China; Monks preach less, stay in
monasteries
• Buddhism recognized by Gupta emperors; Buddhism declined,
Hinduism grew in popularity. spread of Hinduism and Buddhism were spread via the travels of merchants to other
nearby countries for business.
fulfilled the responsibilities of their caste (social class)
• Four principal aims of human life- obedience to religious and moral
- laws; (dharma) the pursuit of economic well being and honest
prosperity (artha), the enjoyment of social, physical, and sexual
pleasure, (kama) and the salvation of the soul (moksha)
• It was believed that if you had a proper balance of dharma, artha, and
kama, you would then be able to attain moksha
• Hinduism appealed to all classes after the changes to fit the needs of ordinary people better
• Hinduism replaced Buddhism as most popular religion in India;
Buddhism moves outward towards China; Monks preach less, stay in
monasteries
• Buddhism recognized by Gupta emperors; Buddhism declined,
Hinduism grew in popularity. spread of Hinduism and Buddhism were spread via the travels of merchants to other
nearby countries for business.
Map depicting spread of Hinduism and Buddhism.
Video:
Bibliography
Ablett, Eric, and Sarah Cove. "Cross Cultural Exchanges." N.p., n.d. Web.
Pillai, Maya. "Basic Beliefs of Hinduism." Buzzle. N.p., n.d. Web
Tyman, John. "Nepal : Religion: Hinduism." N.p., n.d. Web.
Pillai, Maya. "Basic Beliefs of Hinduism." Buzzle. N.p., n.d. Web
Tyman, John. "Nepal : Religion: Hinduism." N.p., n.d. Web.