341.13 Hinduism/Traditions of India

Brief overview of geography, culture

• Deccan, Mountains, Monsoon seasons
• Village culture, large poplulation
• Cultural, religious diversity

Early religion in India

• Pre-Aryan religon: Indus, Deccan, Bengal
• Early Aryan Religion: the world of the early Vedas

Illusion in the brahmanas

• Vishnu's dream

Upanisadic transcendence

• Critique of the phenomenal world: neti, neti; nama-rupa
• positing of the absolute: Brahman

Synthesis in the Bhagavad-gita

• reconcilation of Aryan and non-Aryan religion
• puja combined with yoga

Devotional religion as work ethic: Dharma shastras

• full economic development of the caste system
• full development of the dharma-karma system

Other developments: Jainism, Buddhism

• radical dualism supports strong "other worldly" emphasis
• increasing use of the ahimsa concept