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
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