Notes 1/9/02
Religions of India

Comparing and contrasting western and eastern religion.

Western:
-Goal is salvation from hell, resurrection, God’s judgment and heaven.
-A fellowship/union with God
-Personal existence, physical afterlife
-Has authoritative sacred texts that are central and very important
-Emphasis on history

Eastern:
-Goal is release from samsara (the cycle of rebirth)
-A merging with God/ Nirvana (a state of bliss)
-Impersonal existance
-Sacred texts are less important than personal experience
-History not very important

Hinduism-
Hindu- Persian word for Indian
No founder- started in Indus river valley 2500 BC
Harrappan civilization- agricultural society
Purification and fertility rites very important- in water
Worshipped fertility- the reproductive cycle of nature
Lingum- represents Shiva
Yoni- represetns Shiva’s feminine side or his consort, Parvati