Popular+Hinduism+224-227

=Popular Hinduism 224-227=


 * =The Emergence of Popular Hinduism (SG):=
 * == Hinduism became increasingly popular; underwent similar changes as Buddhism; adapted to fit needs of ordinary people ==
 * == Mahabharata and Ramayana (epic poems illustrating the development of Hindu values); first transmitted orally, then scholars revised and transmitted them into writing ==
 * == Mahabharata war story; Ramayana love story ==
 * == Bhagavad Gita (song of the lord) illustrated expectations that Hinduism made of individuals, and promise of salvation it held out to them ==
 * == Dialogue from Mahabharata about Arjuna (a warrior), dealing with the fact that his enemies included some of his friends and relatives; stated that he must not worry about harming his friends and family because the soul does not die with the body; weapons do not have the power to touch the soul, nor harm or kill another person in any meaningful way ==
 * == Duties of shudras to serve, vaishyas to work, brahmins to learn scriptures and seek wisdom ==
 * == Teaching that faith will bring salvation ==
 * == Hinduism different; said that salvation would come to those who fulfilled the responsibilities of their caste (social class) ==
 * == Four principal aims of human life- obedience to religious and moral laws; (dharma SK) the pursuit of economic well being and honest prosperity (artha SK), the enjoyment of social, physical, and sexual pleasure, (kama SK) and the salvation of the soul (moksha SK) ==
 * == It was believed thta if you had a proper balance of dharma, artha, and kama, you would then be able to attain moksha (SK) ==
 * == Hinduism appealed to all classes ==
 * == Hinduism replaced Buddhism as most popular religion in India; Buddhism moves outward towards China; Monks preach less, stay in monasteries ==
 * == Buddhism recognized by Gupta emperors; Buddhism declined, Hinduism grew in popularity; Islam would eclipse Buddhism in its own homeland ==