The Vedas
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The Vedas are the ancient scriptures of India. They were originally preserved only in oral form, but eventually were written down, and are the earliest sacred books of Hinduism. The name,"Veda", means "knowledge","sacred lore", "vision", and "wisdom". Although scholars date the earliest versions of the Vedas about 150o BCE, Hindus consider them to be far older. These ancient scriptures were revealed to rishis (holy men of the distant past), who did not create the Vedas, but heard them and told them to later generations. Within The Vedas are four parts. These four parts include Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda, Atharva Veda. The Rig Veda consists of a collection of 1000 and chants to Aryan Gods. Yajur Veda covers the matter of recitation during sacrifice. The Sama Veda is a handbook of musical elaborations of vedic chants and is also a considered a a hymn book of a "how to". The Atharva Veda consists of practical prayers.
Molloy, Michael (2013). Experiencing World Religions: Tradition, Challenge, and Change. 6th Edition..
The Origin and Important Concepts of the Upanishads
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The Upanishads is a sacred text consisting of about a hundred written works that record insights into the external and internal reality. It is written in dialogue form (prose & poetry) and dates are unknown of its production.. The word Upanishads is derived from the word "sitting near", which suggests disciples sitting near a master learning techniques for achieving religious experience. The main theme of these works is the notion that with spiritual discipline and meditation, both priests and non-priests can experience and become a spiritual master. The most important concepts in the Upanishads include: Brahman, Atman, maya, karma, samsara, and moksha. Brahman is defined as God/ the divine's spirit is in everything in the universe; able to being holy or sacred with nature. Atman is God/the divine's spirit within a person; being sacred with oneself. Maya is seen to be defined as the world is one basic spirit that takes on different forms to think that the world consists of individual things and people. Karma is the moral law of cause and effect, and that every action has an automatic moral consequence. Samsara is the constant cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. Moksha is seen to be the ultimate human goal in Hinduism. it is defined as to be released from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth.
Molloy, Michael (2013). Experiencing World Religions: Tradition, Challenge, and Change. 6th Edition..
Molloy, Michael (2013). Experiencing World Religions: Tradition, Challenge, and Change. 6th Edition..
Cases of Karma
The Bhagavad Gita
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The Bhagavad Gita, "divine song", is part of a an epic poem called the Mahabharata, and was written between 400 BCE and 400 CE. This text is also in dialogue forms and is mainly between 2 figures; Prince Arjuna and his advisor Krishna. The story tells of how the sons of Pandu (Pandavas) conquered their cousins with the help of the god Krishna. The main theme of this story tells how Arjuna must not follow his own desires, fears, or hope for reward, but must do what is right. With this theme in place, the god Krishna advises the prince to fight to protect his throne and the structure of society-to fight for his duty. He also shows Arjuna that a for the warrior, "there is nothing nobler than a righteous war."
Molloy, Michael (2013). Experiencing World Religions: Tradition, Challenge, and Change. 6th Edition..
Molloy, Michael (2013). Experiencing World Religions: Tradition, Challenge, and Change. 6th Edition..