Post 4: What Everybody Ought to Know about Religion
Hinduism - The Bhagavad Gita and modern reforms
This is the fourth post to help understand world events and our neighbors.
I am taking Cultural Literacy for Religion: Everything the Well-Educated Person Should Know, by Professor Mark Berkson of Hamine University. It is one of The Great Courses. I’m going to give you my take on what I’m learning in a series of posts. I will continue to look for how our spirituality or lack thereof improves our lives.
In the fifth lecture, Professor Berkson begins by covering The Bhagavad Gita. It is probably the best known among Hindu scriptures. A patient gave me the book many years ago. According to Berkson, the book was valued by Mahatma Ghandi, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, and Aldous Huxley. The scripture is a conversation between the warrior-prince Arjuna and Krishna, his charioteer. Remember, Krishna is an avatar of Vishnu, the all-pervading Lord of the Universe and protector of humanity.
Krishna tells Arjuna that he must act in accordance with his dharma (duty). He should be unattached to the outcome. He should act as though life is an offering to the Lord.
Arjuna is ultimately given the divine eye so that he can see God in all its many forms. Arjuna is overwhelmed and wants to go back to only seeing Krishna. Can you imagine seeing God everywhere you look? It is much simpler to imagine God as finite rather than infinite. Yet, we should remember that God is infinite. I like that aspect of Hinduism.
Yogo - paths to liberation. According to Berkson:
While there are many forms of yoga, four are featured most prominently in the Gita. The first is Karma Yoga, the yoga of action. The second form is Bhakti Yoga, the yoga of devotion. The third is Jnana Yoga, the yoga of knowledge. And the fourth is Raja Yoga, or “royal yoga,” the yoga of meditation.
The Gita focus is on Karma Yoga. Thon (third person gender neutral pronoun) realizes that thon’s action is part of the action of the whole universe. Thon gives up attachment to outcome. Thon acts according to dharma (thon’s duty).
Berkson summed it up:
To the Gita’s synthesis of action and renunciation is added yet another element: devotion. The renouncing of the fruits of action to the deity brings action, renunciation, and devotion together. The element of devotion to the gods, bhakti, becomes one of the primary features of Hindu religion.
Jana Yoga is the yoga of knowledge. Berkson said that Vedanta examines the nature of soul and ultimate reality. Vedanta has had the most influence on modern Indian and Western thought. He also mentioned Advaita Vedanta. It is non-dualistic, seeing the individual Atman as being part of ultimate reality, Brahman.
We will cover Christianity later. However, it seems appropriate to point out Jesus’ teaching that the father and I are one. He also said that I am in you, and you are in me. In my opinion, that is clearly the Hindu concept. You (as soul or Atman) are part of God, (ultimate reality or Brahman). Jesus (Atman) was also one with the father (Brahman). We are all part of ultimate reality.
Raja Yoga is the yoga of meditation. The seeker is taken through a series of meditations to quiet the mind. Berkson said:
The essence of this path is summed up as “yogas citta vritti nirodha.” This means, “Yoga is the cessation of mental fluctuations” or “mental activity.”
I believe that to be one of the most important things I have learned. The ability to quiet the mind and just be aware is quite liberating. I find there is no emotion. I get beyond it. Compare to the Christian idea expressed by Paul’s “peace that passes all understanding” Philippians 4:7.
It isn’t clear to me from Berkson, whether Ashtanga is mentioned in the Gita or not. I’ll just give you what he said in the notes.
Patanjali set up a system known as Ashtanga Yoga, which means eight-limbed yoga. The eight limbs are: (1) moral principles; (2) observances (including external and internal bodily purifi cation); (3) posture; (4) breath control; (5) withdrawal of senses; (6) concentration; (7) meditation; and finally, (8) samadhi, or pure contemplation/absorption. This is the state of resting completely in the spirit, with the total quieting of mental fluctuations.
Later, Hatha Yoga emerged. The first writing of Hatha Yoga is Hatha Yoga Pradipika written in the 15th century. Although the emphasis is on poses and breathing, the goal is to prepare for Raja Yoga and quiet the mind.
The idea of energy centers known as chakras comes from the Hindu understanding of anatomy. Berkson:
In the Indian system of anatomy, we have a subtle body of energy flow, in which our life force, or prana, flows along channels. These channels intersect at certain places in the body to create powerful centers, called chakras (circles/wheels). There is a chakra at the base of the spine, the genitals, the solar plexus, the heart, the throat and between the eyes.
Berkson goes through the chakras in more detail. I will refer you to his course for more information. It would be interesting to compare the subtle energy fields of Hinduism to the ideas of acupuncture.
Berkson ends the lecture by looking at modern changes in Hinduism around the world. Part of our focus is understanding world events. We will briefly look at those changes.
Hinduism became more reason based in the 18th and 19th centuries. Things like child marriage, the caste system (along with untouchables), widow burnings, and icon worship were given up, by members of the reform movement.
Berkson cites Jawaharlal Nehru and Mahatma Gandhi among Indians who wanted India to have a secular government, allowing all religions. Gandhi was assassinated by a member of a Hindu group that felt Gandhi was too accommodating to Muslims. However, Hindus mostly get along with Muslims and Sikhs often attending each other’s shrines.
Most Hindus live in India or South Asia. There are no large communities of Hindus in the West. Hindus tend to worship in their homes. The temples that exist in the West will show many deities, because they cater to a wide range of people.
Berkson finished by mentioning the Hare Krishnas. Beatle, George Harrison, was attracted to their message. You can hear the chant in the background of the song My Sweet Lord.