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Hinduism was, and is, one of the most powerful and resilient religions in the history of the world.  In the 20th century it withstood communism; throughout history it withstood evangelism by other religions; and in the last millennium it withstood Islam.  We shall see whether it continues to survive against Islam in this century.

Hinduism was, and is, one of the most powerful and resilient religions in the history of the world.  In the 20th century it withstood communism; throughout history it withstood evangelism by other religions; and in the last millennium it withstood Islam.  We shall see whether it continues to survive against Islam in this century.

Hinduism is an ancient monotheistic religion, consisting of multiple deities who were ultimately thought to be part of (as either helpers or aspects of) one God: Brahman, the supreme God of life.  The name "Hindu" comes from the word Hindustan, the Persian word for riverland; the birth of Hinduism was the merger of the Upanishadic and Vedic religious traditions in ancient India.  Muslim invaders of the A.D. 11th and 13th centuries began using the term "Hindu" to describe Indians from this region who were not Buddhists and who refused to convert to Islam.  In the A.D. 16th century European merchants and missionaries started using the term also.  But while Hinduism is not limited to one set of clear and specific beliefs, it does represent an overall belief system and today there are nearly one billion adherents to Hinduism in the world, nearly all of whom live in or emigrated from India.  (There are also significant Muslim and Christian populations in India today; Mother Theresa won a Nobel Peace Prize in 1980 for her Christian charity work there.)   

Hinduism is an ancient polytheistic religion, consisting of multiple gods who were ultimately thought to be part of one god: Brahma, the supreme god of life.  The name "Hindu" comes from the word Hindustan, the Persian word for riverland; the birth of Hinduism was the merger of the Upanishadic and Vedic religious traditions in ancient India.  Muslim invaders of the A.D. 11th and 13th centuries began using the term "Hindu" to describe Indians from this region who were not Buddhists and who refused to convert to Islam.  In the A.D. 16th century European merchants and missionaries started using the term also.  But while Hinduism is not limited to one set of clear and specific beliefs, it does represent an overall belief system and today there are nearly one billion adherents to Hinduism in the world, nearly all of whom live in or emigrated from India.  (There are also significant Muslim and Christian populations in India today; Mother Theresa won a Nobel Peace Prize in 1980 for her Christian charity work there.)   

Hinduism focuses on "The Eternal Way," which means that certain spiritual principles are true for eternity, transcending what is man-made.  This is like a science of consciousness.  The advancement of knowledge is emphasized by Hinduism, and today many Indians can be found obtaining PhDs or medical degrees.  Many Indians (note that the term "Indian" in this lecture refers to South Asia) are entering engineering and similar high-tech professions, and American companies are gradually hiring more and more Indians for these jobs because of the high quality of their work and their willingness to work for less wages by American standards.  Politically, Hindus in the United States are more Republican than other immigrant groups.

Hinduism focuses on "The Eternal Way," which means that certain spiritual principles are true for eternity, transcending what is man-made.  This is like a science of consciousness.  The advancement of knowledge is emphasized by Hinduism, and today many Indians can be found obtaining PhDs or medical degrees.  Many Indians (note that the term "Indian" in this lecture refers to South Asia) are entering engineering and similar high-tech professions, and American companies are gradually hiring more and more Indians for these jobs because of the high quality of their work and their willingness to work for less wages by American standards.  Politically, Hindus in the United States are more Republican than other immigrant groups.

Hinduism encourages meditation using yoga.  Historically, Hindus believed in reincarnation, a belief that spread even to the Greek philosopher Pythagoras in 560 B.C.   

Hinduism encourages meditation using yoga.  Historically, Hindus believed in reincarnation, a belief that spread even to the Greek philosopher Pythagoras in 560 B.C.  Visitors to India are impressed or surprised by seeing cows wandering about, disrupting traffic and commerce.  The expression "sacred cow" comes from the belief in reincarnation, and the view that a cow may be the reincarnation of one of your ancestors or deceased relatives.

 

Visitors to India are impressed or surprised by seeing cows wandering about, disrupting traffic and commerce.  The expression "sacred cow" comes from the belief in reincarnation, and the view that the cow is a life form that may have once taken birth as a human and as such must be given the same respect as a human.

The basic belief of Hinduism is in a cycle of life often represented by a dancing woman in a ring of fire, who is the god "Shiva" representing creation and destruction.  Other symbols are the god Brahma representing creation and the god Vishnu representing preservation or continuance of life.  In Hindu statutes a flat palm facing the onlooker represents peace, while a drum symbolizes creation.

The basic belief of Hinduism is in a cycle of life often represented by a dancing woman in a ring of fire, who is the god "Shiva" representing creation and destruction.  Other symbols are the god Brahma representing creation and the god Vishnu representing preservation or continuance of life.  In Hindu statutes a flat palm facing the onlooker represents peace, while a drum symbolizes creation.

Lacking from this modern legal definition is the caste system set forth in the Code of Manu, whereby the accumulation of a person's good deeds (or evil acts) in his prior lives (his "karma") determine whether he is born into a family at a higher or lower caste level, or even lower as an animal or plant.  Upon full compliance with the Hindu moral code, the person is released from the "wheel of life" and attains unity with Brahma (universal all).  This belief is known as "Moksha".  Obviously the caste system is politically incorrect today, with many Hindus believing in it privately but reluctant to speak about it publicly.

Lacking from this modern legal definition is the caste system set forth in the Code of Manu, whereby the accumulation of a person's good deeds (or evil acts) in his prior lives (his "karma") determine whether he is born into a family at a higher or lower caste level, or even lower as an animal or plant.  Upon full compliance with the Hindu moral code, the person is released from the "wheel of life" and attains unity with Brahma (universal all).  This belief is known as "Moksha".  Obviously the caste system is politically incorrect today, with many Hindus believing in it privately but reluctant to speak about it publicly.

The highest caste is the "Brahmans" (priests and scholars).  This term has been incorporated in a non-religious sense into English (spelled as "Brahmins") to mean wealthy, aloof New England families, like the 2004 Democratic Presidential candidate John Kerry's family.  The traditional goal of Hindus is to reach Brahma, or spiritual perfection, by observing dharma (DER-muh) (moral or religious duties of your caste).  Below the Brahmans in the Hindu case system are the Kshatriya (rulers), the Vaishya (peasants), and then the serfs (Shudra).  Below the lowest caste level are the "untouchables" or [[Harijans]], who are slaves and outcasts.  As noted above, few talk publicly about the caste system any more because it is so politically incorrect.

The highest caste is the "Brahmans" (priests and scholars).  This term has been incorporated in a non-religious sense into English (spelled as "Brahmins") to mean wealthy, aloof New England families, like the 2004 Democratic Presidential candidate John Kerry's family.  The traditional goal of Hindus is to reach Brahma, or spiritual perfection, by observing dharma (DER-muh) (moral or religious duties of your caste).  Below the Brahmans in the Hindu case system are the Kshatriya (rulers), the Vaishya (peasants), and then the serfs (Shudra).  Below the lowest caste level are the "untouchables" or Harijans, who are slaves and outcasts.  As noted above, few talk publicly about the caste system any more because it is so politically incorrect.

In Hindu society, a woman was generally treated like a dependent to be taken care of and supervised by her father, husband or brother.  Government was by a local prince or "raja", also spelled as "rajah".  The English word "raj" means reign.

In Hindu society, a woman was generally treated like a dependent to be taken care of and supervised by her father, husband or brother.  Government was by a local prince or "raja", also spelled as "rajah".  The English word "raj" means reign.

Trade flourished on the Silk Road, which China used to transport silk, spices gems, wine, cosmetics and even grain to the Mediterranean.  By land the traders carrying the goods to all groups in the Middle East; by sea the Malay sailors mastered the tricky monsoon wind patterns.  The Silk Road was influential from 150 B.C. to A.D. 900.  Perhaps one might compare its enormous influence to the internet today!  Today, an important railway runs along a common route which was part of the silk road.

Trade flourished on the Silk Road, which China used to transport silk, spices gems, wine, cosmetics and even grain to the Mediterranean.  By land the traders carrying the goods to all groups in the Middle East; by sea the Malay sailors mastered the tricky monsoon wind patterns.  The Silk Road was influential from 150 B.C. to A.D. 900.  Perhaps one might compare its enormous influence to the internet today!  Today, an important railway runs along a common route which was part of the silk road.

   

   

The state philosophy of the Han dynasty was Confucianism.  Technology advanced during this time, as did the arts.  Paper, porcelain, the compass, the rudder, the seismograph and possibly acupuncture were all invented under the Han dynasty.  Detailed historical records were maintained.  Most Chinese people were farmers, but China's discovery of iron enabled it to develop some highly profitable manufacturing trade.

The state philosophy of the Han dynasty was Confucianism.  Technology advanced during this time, as did the arts.  Paper, porcelain, the magnetic compass, the fixed rudder, the seismograph and possibly acupuncture were all invented under the Han dynasty.  Detailed historical records were maintained.  Most Chinese people were farmers, but China's discovery of iron enabled it to develop some highly profitable manufacturing trade.

The Han dynasty declined, in a manner similar to the decline and fall of the Roman empire, though a bit earlier.  Historians cite the same reasons for the decline of both empires:  too vast an empire to administer and keep together, invasions by barbarians, hardship caused by the spread of disease and poor harvests, and overall economic failure.  In both cases, leaders of the armies gained power as the empires declined, but the generals could not save the empires.

The Han dynasty declined, in a manner similar to the decline and fall of the Roman empire, though a bit earlier.  Historians cite the same reasons for the decline of both empires:  too vast an empire to administer and keep together, invasions by barbarians, hardship caused by the spread of disease and poor harvests, and overall economic failure.  In both cases, leaders of the armies gained power as the empires declined, but the generals could not save the empires.

=== China's Contributions ===

=== China's Contributions ===

What inventions and innovations do we owe to ancient China?  A great deal: paper, the magnetic compass, the umbrella, the fan, spaghetti, the fixed rudder, acupuncture, bamboo cultivation, harvesting silk, and perhaps the first planetarium.  Later, in A.D. 850, China invented gunpowder, which also popularized fireworks.

What inventions do we owe to ancient China?  A great deal: paper, the compass, the umbrella, the fan, spaghetti, acupuncture, bamboo cultivation, harvesting silk, and perhaps the first planetarium.  Later, in A.D. 850, China invented gunpowder, which also popularized fireworks.

English philosopher Francis Bacon said this about three Chinese inventions:  "Printing, gunpowder and the compass: These three have changed the whole face and state of things throughout the world; the first in literature, the second in warfare, the third in navigation; whence have followed innumerable changes, in so much that no empire, no sect, no star seems to have exerted greater power and influence in human affairs than these mechanical discoveries."<ref>http://www.bjreview.com.cn/forum/txt/2008-08/26/content_146756_2.htm</ref>  Sometimes historians refer to the "Four Great Inventions":  paper-making, printing, compass and gunpowder, and claim that China deserves credit for all four.

English philosopher Francis Bacon said this about three Chinese inventions:  "Printing, gunpowder and the compass: These three have changed the whole face and state of things throughout the world; the first in literature, the second in warfare, the third in navigation; whence have followed innumerable changes, in so much that no empire, no sect, no star seems to have exerted greater power and influence in human affairs than these mechanical discoveries."<ref>http://www.bjreview.com.cn/forum/txt/2008-08/26/content_146756_2.htm</ref>  Sometimes historians refer to the "Four Great Inventions":  paper-making, printing, compass and gunpowder, and claim that China deserves credit for all four.

Many misconceptions about early Christians persist.  Americans are often taught that all the disciples were ignorant fishermen who could not read or write.  This is plainly false, as several communicated by letter while held in jail by Roman authorities.  Many of the insights and truths revealed in the Gospels by the Apostles could only have been understood and taught by people of tremendous intelligence and faith.

Many misconceptions about early Christians persist.  Americans are often taught that all the disciples were ignorant fishermen who could not read or write.  This is plainly false, as several communicated by letter while held in jail by Roman authorities.  Many of the insights and truths revealed in the Gospels by the Apostles could only have been understood and taught by people of tremendous intelligence and faith.

Christianity was taken by the early Christians as far and wide as possible.  The religious celebrations consisted of a communal meal, called "communion" today but given the Greek name for "love feat" then:  "agape".  This reenacted the Last Supper of Christ as described in the Gospels.  The concept of Christian love has had a profound, positive impact on the world.

Christianity was taken by the early Christians as far and wide as possible.  The religious celebrations consisted of a communal meal, called "communion" today but given the Greek name for "love feat" then:  "agape".  This reenacted the Last Supper of Christ as described in the Gospels.  The concept of Christian love has had a profound, positive on the world.

Mark founded a church in Egypt under the reign of the Roman emperor Nero, first converting Alexandrian Jews such as Theophilus and also converting many native Egyptians who were neither Greek nor Jewish.  It was for Theophilus and the Egyptian community that Luke wrote his Gospel and Acts of the Apostles, addressing Theophilus in the beginning of each.<ref>''See'' Luke 1:3 and Acts 1:1.</ref>  The local language in Egypt was Coptic, and translations of the Gospels into that language have been discovered which date from the first half of the second century.  Coptic Christianity remains in Egypt now, although Islam has become the most popular religion there.  Some cite the acceptance of Arabic as a liturgical language by the Pope of Alexandria as aiding the rise to dominance of Islam there.  Coptic Christians celebrate Christmas each year on January 7th.

Mark founded a church in Egypt under the reign of the Roman emperor Nero, first converting Alexandrian Jews such as Theophilus and also converting many native Egyptians who were neither Greek nor Jewish.  It was for Theophilus and the Egyptian community that Luke wrote his Gospel and Acts of the Apostles, addressing Theophilus in the beginning of each.<ref>''See'' Luke 1:3 and Acts 1:1.</ref>  The local language in Egypt was Coptic, and translations of the Gospels into that language have been discovered which date from the first half of the second century.  Coptic Christianity remains in Egypt now, although Islam has become the most popular religion there.  Some cite the acceptance of Arabic as a liturgical language by the Pope of Alexandria as aiding the rise to dominance of Islam there.  Coptic Christians celebrate Christmas each year on January 7th.