Do you think that the Vedas are the most important holy book for Hindus? 1. The Vedas are Shruti texts and are divinely revealed

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1 UNIT 2 4 Mark Do you think that the Vedas are the most important holy book for Hindus? Yes I Agree 1. The Vedas are Shruti texts and are divinely revealed 2. They are eternal and so relevant to all times and places 3. They are the most ancient Hindu scriptures, written in the sacred language of the scriptures, Sanskrit No I don't agree 1. They are written using ancient language, and ancient imagery and therefore not relevant in modern times 2. Most Hindus today regard the Vedas as irrelevant and don't follow them 3. There are other scriptures that are more important, such as BG and other smriti texts Do you think that the Upanishads are the most important holy book for Hindus? Answers which think everyone should follow the Upanishads are: 1. They explain the meaning of the Vedas 2. They deal with important eternal questions like the nature of Brahman,atman and the world 3. They are divinely revealed Answers which think that not everyone should follow the Upanishads are: 1. They are only relevant to Hindus so can t apply to other religions 2. They are so ancient that they are no longer relevant 3. They contradict one another

2 Do you think that the Shruti are the most important holy books for Hindus? 1. It is still the basis of many ritual, ceremonies & samskars 2. It contains a range of knowledge relating from philosophy, to art, to maths, medicine, science etc. which is all relevant today 3. They are divinely revealed No I Don t Agree 1. They are so ancient that they are no longer relevant 2. They contradict one another 3. Smurti scriptures such as the Bhagwat Gita are more popular and more easily understandable Do you think that everyone needs the help of a swami? 1. They are important exemplars 2. They provide spiritual guidance and knowledge 3. They are important figureheads No I Don t Agree 1. They do not have sufficient awareness of the modern world 2. All the knowledge that they hold is now available to us from other sources 3. They are not likely to be more wise or insightful than the rest of us Do you think that being born a Brahmin doesn t make you special? 1. As priests they conduct important rituals 2. They are holders of important scriptural learning and tradition 3. They are exemplary in their purity and ethical behavior 4. They have an important role as teachers Do you think that the Bhagvad Gita is the most important book for Hindus?

3 1. It is the most widely read of all Hindu scriptures 2. Some groups treat the book as their most important holy book 3. It deals with the most important aspects of Hindu teaching No I Don t agree 1. It is not Shruti so it is less important 2. It is popular rather than authoritative 3. Other groups follow the teachings of their own sacred texts Do you think that the Vedas are out of date? Reasons for: 1. They were written in ancient times, using ancient language, Sanskrit, 2. The lives of most Hindus do not follow the direction of the Vedas 3. They contain ancient references and old imagery so today are meaningless. Reasons against: 1. They can never be out of date as they are Sanatan eternal truths relevant to all times & places 2. Some aspects of Vedas are becoming increasing popular e.g. Vedic medicine 3. They are divinely revealed by Brahman himself Do you think that we can learn more from modern science than from ancient Holy Books? Reasons for: 1. Modern science is authoritative because its claims can be verified by science 2. Ancient holy books are written in ancient language and difficult to understand and not relevant in modern society Reasons against: 1. Ancient truths are often divinely revealed and are eternal we can t always test for some of the truths given in ancient holy books 2. We can learn more from ancient books, as they are Sanatan eternal truths relevant to all times & places.

4 Do you think Brahmins are important in Hindu Society? 1. As priests they conduct important rituals 2. They are holders of important scriptural learning and tradition 3. They are exemplary in their purity and ethical behavior 4. They have an important role as teachers Do you think everyone should follow a swami? 1. They are important exemplars 2. They provide spiritual guidance and knowledge 3. They are important figureheads No I Don t agree 1. All the knowledge that they hold is now available to us from other sources 2. They are no more likely to be wise or insightful that the rest of us 3. They do not have sufficient awareness of the modern world Do you think that we need a guru to guide us through life? 1. It would be arrogant and foolish to ignore the accumulated wisdom shared by gurus 2. The guidance of a guru can give one a valuable objective view 3. They give you spiritual guidance 4. Guru shishya relationship is a sacred bond stated in the vedas. No I Don t agree 1. Many of us are capable of making our own decisions 2. The advice that gurus give us could tie us to the past 3. Some gurus may not actually be truly God realised i.e. FAKE

5 Do you think that Swamis are out of Date? No I don t agree 1. They are important exemplars to all Hindus 2. They provide spiritual guidance and knowledge and the information that they give can be adopted to suite modern times 3. They are important figureheads, and for people to look up to Yes I Do Agree 1. They do not have sufficient awareness of the modern world 2. Their knowledge and teachings are based on the ancient scriptures and so are not relevant 3. All the knowledge that they hold is now available to us from other more modern types of sources such as Internet etc. 8 Mark Explain how attitudes to caste are changing? 1. Traditional occupational divisions do not relate easily to the demands of modern industry 2. It is difficult to observe caste divisions in an urban environment 3. Discrimination by caste is forbidden by Indian law 4. Some Hindu groups reject the idea of caste divisions 5. Many Hindus see caste as an irrelevance or unfortunate cultural accretion Explain why the idea of the Varna s is important to many Hindus? 1. The varna system was expounded in the Rig Vedas 2. The division of society into functional groups has practical benefits (efficiency) 3. Varna s allow people to measure their progress towards moksha 4. It allows for optimum social interaction in terms of purity and pollution

6 5. It makes our Varna ashram dharma clearer 6. Many Hindus see the Varna system as more natural and equitable that the caste system which is fraught with confusion and privilege Explain why Brahmins are important for many Hindus? 1. As priests they conduct important rituals 2. They are holders of important scriptural learning and tradition 3. They are exemplary in their purity and ethical behavior 4. They have an important role as teachers Explain the Hindu Beliefs about Jati? 1. Many Hindus regard the jati into which a person is born to be indicative of their relative position in society 2. It may be indicative of the progress of the atman towards moksha 3. Jati may be influential in dictating a person s occupation 4. Jati may influence social interactions such as who one might marry 5. Members of particular jati may have to respond to specific dharmic demands Explain why Smurti Literature is important for many Hindus? 1. It provides Hindus with Guidance regarding correct conduct 2. It communicates the ideals and values of Hinduism 3. It is the basis of Hindu art & cultural expression 4. It contains reference to very popular & revered deities (more modern movements) 5. The heroes, e.g. Arjun & Ram, are exemplars for all Hindus It contains philosophical Outline the role of swamis. 1. They provide spiritual guidance 2. They give advice and teaching about sacred texts and the Hindu tradition

7 3. They may set up ashrams or colleges where people can study and/or meditate. 4. They may behave as exemplars to other Hindus Explain why Shruti Literature is important for many Hindus? 1. It is still the basis of many ritual, ceremonies & samskars 2. It is authoritative and central to Hindu tradition & identity 3. It has profound effect on Hindu thinking 4. It contains a range of knowledge relating from philosophy, to art, to maths, medicine, science etc. which is all relevant today 5. It is a source of ANCIENT wisdom and truth 6. They are divinely revealed Outline the Hindu Beliefs about the Upanishads? 1. They are regarded as Shruti 2. They are important as they explain the philosophy in the Vedas 3. Usually taught by gurus to selected students 4. Talk about the nature of self (atman), god (Brahman), and the world 5. Deal with the origin of the universe Outline the Hindu Beliefs about the Vedas? 1. They are Shruti texts 2. They are eternal truths 3. They are the earliest revelations to mankind 4. They are the basis of many rituals and ceremonies today. Explain why Devotion to Krishna is important in the Gita? 1. Easiest pathways to Moksha, & to God 2. He restored righteousness and hence defeated evil, therefore should be respected & Devoted 3. Allows devotion targeted to the supreme Lord, not just avatars (para-bhakti)

8 4. No caste/cultural barriers, all are Atmas in front of God. Explain why Gurus are important for many Hindus? 1. Gurus represent a link to ancient Hinduism 2. They have knowledge of Sanskrit and can access and interpret the sacred texts 3. They provide guidance on religious, moral and social matters 4. They have an important role as teachers 5. They are central in rituals such as Upanayana 6. They may possess important astrological knowledge Outline the teachings of the Bhagvad Gita about Karma? 1. Karma is seen to be a central factor in one s passage through samsara 2. The way to avoid bad karma is to do one s svadharma properly 3. Karma Yoga is seen as a possible way of fulfilling one s dharma 4. Actions carried out in a spirit of sacrifice to Krishna bring good karma 5. Desire less action brings good karma 6 Mark Should everyone follow the teachings of the Upanishads Answers which think everyone should follow the Upanishads are : 4. They explain the meaning of the Vedas 5. They deal with important eternal questions like the nature of Brahman 6. They give guidance on how to live Answers which think that not everyone should follow the Upanishads are: 4. They are only relevant to Hindus so can t apply to other religions 5. They are so ancient that they are no longer relevant 6. They contradict one another Hindus are right to have changed their attitude to caste Yes are:

9 1. The traditional caste system has become distorted over time 2. The system is regarded by some Hindus as having nothing to do with Sanatan dharma 3. The system has lead to many social and religious injustices No are: 1. The system has been one of the factors that has helped preserve Hinduism 2. The basis of the system is set out in the Vedas 3. The four Varna s are a basic part of the Hindu way of life Gurus are no longer needed Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion. 1. They are important exemplars 2. They provide spiritual guidance and knowledge 3. They are important figureheads Give reasons why some people may disagree with you. 1. All the knowledge they hold is now available to us from other sources 2. They are no more likely to be wise or insightful than the rest of us 3. They do not have sufficient awareness of the modern world Should everyone follow a swami Yes: 1. They are important exemplars. 2. They provide spiritual guidance and knowledge. 3. They are important figureheads. No: 1. All the knowledge that they hold is now available to us from other sources. 2. They are no more likely to be wise or insightful that the rest of us. 3. They do not have sufficient awareness of the modern world. The Vedas are out of date Reasons For:

10 1. They were written in ancient times, using ancient language, Sanskrit, ancient references and old imagery so today are meaningless. 2. The lives of most Hindus do not follow the direction of the Vedas Reasons against: 1. They can never be out of date as they are Sanatan eternal truths relevant to all times & places 2. Some aspects of Vedas are becoming increasing popular e.g. Vedic medicine All humans are born equal do you agree? Yes No 1. All babies are born equal in terms of wealth and status they no know no difference. 2. In eyes of Brahman all are equal. 3. You cannot change whom you are born as, we all have atman within us. 1. People are born into rich or poor families. 2. You are born accordingly to your past karma. 3. You are born higher in the Varna system ex (priests The Gita is the most Important Holy Book 1. Krishna s Teachings are contained within the Gita 2. It is a sacred text relevant to modern times 3. ISKON believe that as Krishna is the supreme lord then his book is also the most important No I don t 1. There are other scriptures such as the Vedas which contain the basis of Hindu ethics and therefore are more important 2. Other religions have more important scriptures 3. The Upanishads contradict themselves

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