Part Eight VIII › Division II II › Section 823 823

Hinduism and Other Religions of India

Subject Outline

AHistory of Hinduism
- 1The origins of Hinduism: Indo-European roots and other influences
- 2The prehistoric and protohistoric periods, through the 2nd millennium bc: the religions of the indigenous prehistoric peoples and of the Indus Valley civilization
- 3The Vedic period (2nd millennium-7th century bc)
  - aThe religion of the Rgveda
  - bThe religion of the later Vedas and Brahmanas
  - cThe religion of the Upanisads
- 4The heterodox period (7th-2nd century bc): challenges to Brahmanism by reformers and ascetic groups [see also D.1., below, and 824]
- 5The early Hindu period (2nd century BC-4th century ad): the rise of the major sects and other developments
- 6The Puranic period (4th-8th century)
- 7The rise of devotional Hinduism (8th- 11th century): the Tamil hymnists, the Bhagavata-Purana after Hinduism
- 8The age of bhakti (11th- 19th century)
- 9The modern period (19th-20th century)
- 10Hinduism today
BIntellectual, spiritual, and imaginative expressions of Hinduism [see also C.4., below]
- 1Hindu sacred literature
  - aPrimary scriptures regarded as eternal revelations: the Veda
  - bPost-Vedic Sanskrit literature; e.g., epics, Puranas, Tantras
  - cSacred literature in Indian regional languages
- 2Hindu mythology: varieties of myths, modes of representation and themes
- 3Hindu philosophy: the integral relation of philosophy and religion in Hinduism
- 4Hindu mysticism: its general characteristics, varieties, goals, and methods
CBeliefs, practices, and institutions of Hinduism
- 1Common characteristics of Hindu belief
  - aViews about God or the sacred
  - bViews about the universe
  - cViews about mankind
    - iAhimsa, the obligation to respect all living beings
    - iiThe doctrines of karman, samsara, and transmigration
    - iiiThe three margas : the paths of duties, of knowledge, and of devotion
- 2The forms of Hinduism
  - aVedism and Brahmanism
  - bVaisnavism
  - cSaivism
  - dTantrism and Shaktism
  - eFolk Hinduism
  - fEthical, social, and nationalist movements in modern Hinduism
- 3Rituals, social practices, and institutions
  - aSacrifice and worship
  - bSacred times and places
  - cThe class hierarchy: the caste system
  - dReligious orders, holy men, the four stages of life
- 4Cultural expressions of Hindu values and ideas
  - aThe traditional religious functions of Indian art: symbols and images
    - iTypes of symbols: yantras, mandalas, lingas, yonis
    - iiIcons: their role in expressing theological elements of Hinduism
  - bThe religious expression of particular arts
DOther religions of India
- 1Jainism
  - aHistory of Jainism
    - iEarly background: traditional accounts of Mahavira's predecessors
    - iiThe life, work, and teachings of Vardhamana Mahavira
    - iiiLater developments (6th century Bc-20th century ad)
  - bMyths about Jaina "great souls": Tirthankaras, ascetic and monastic figures, and lesser deities
  - cBeliefs, practices, and institutions of Jainism
- 2Sikhism
  - aHistory of Sikhism
    - iIslamic and Hindu background (11th- 15th century) [see also A., above, and 828.A.]
    - iiThe origin of Sikhism in the life and work of Nanak, first of the ten Gurus (15th- 16th century)
    - iiiThe establishment and growth of Sikhism under the nine succeeding Gurus, the establishment of Sikh militarism (16th- 18th century)
    - ivThe condition of Sikhism during the Sikh empire (18th- 19th century)
    - vThe condition of Sikhism under British rule (19th-20th century)
    - viSikhism in independent India and Pakistan
  - bSikh religious literature
  - cBeliefs, practices, and institutions of Sikhism
- 3Parsiism: Zoroastrianism in India [see 822.B.4.]
  - aHistory of Parsiism
  - bSources of beliefs and doctrines in Zoroastrian literature