Visible Religion: Hinduism

Worshippers face a statue of the many-armed goddess Durga

Module 1: Major Hindu Denominations

Resources:

Readings/Videos:

Discussion Questions:

  • What similarities and differences are seen across each of the four branches, or denominations, of Hinduism? What makes each of them unique?
  • Describe what Hindu India looked like under British rule.

Homework:

  • Have students visit a nearby temple (there is one located in Mason, Ohio). Or if there isn’t one near you, research a Hindu temple.
  • Begin formulating a working list of definitions of at least 5 unknown words per denomination of Hinduism. If the unknown words are physical objects, include photos for reference.

Module 2: American Hinduism

Resources:

Readings/Videos:

Key takeaways:

  • A huge example of Hindu traditions being utilized in the US is yoga
  • American Hindus are more men than women; mostly Asian overall; 87% immigrants over second, third, etc. generations

Discussion Questions:

  • What are common misconceptions about Hinduism in the US?
  • How is American Hinduism different from Hinduism in other parts of the world?
  • How have American ideals affected American Hindus?

Homework:

  • Interview an American Hindu and write a paper (3-4 pages or more) about what you've learned.
  • Summarize two resources or readings in your own words. Then, compare them to find any major differences, and explain which viewpoint you prefer.

Module 3: Women and Hinduism

Resources:

Readings/Videos:

  • Naidu, Maheshvari. "Transgressive Subversions? Female Religious Leaders in Hinduism." Journal for the Study of Religion 26 (2013): 43-58.

This article analyzes the role that women have played as authority figures within Hinduism, and as gurus. It questions: how does the notion of a "guru" cater to gender norms, and what role does femininity play in Hinduism as a whole?

  • Pintchman, Tracy. Women's Lives, Women's Rituals in the Hindu Tradition (Oxford University Press, 2007).

This book explores some distinctive rituals that involve women in particular. It is divided into two parts: "Engaging Domesticity," which includes the interpersonal private sphere, and  "Beyond Domesticity," which speaks to diverse public realms.

  • Pechilis, Karen. "Hindu Women Gurus." Encyclopedia of Psychology and Religion (Springer, 2020), 1079–1082.

The history of gurus and how women began to participate in the role. The social expectations of female gurus in the public sphere, such as marriage and childbirth. Historically, women gurus were spiritual mentors to husbands and within the family. Over time, women gurus entered the public sphere due to figures like Queen Chudala.

  • Naidu, Maheshvari. "Queering Women and Hinduism: Disembedding the Maternal Script from Woman and Earth." Journal for the Study of Religion 24, no. 2 (2011): 33–46.

In this article, Naidu examines gender roles within Hinduism and how they intersect with the notion of "bio-divinity." She references the Earth Mother (Prithvi) as a reference point for how Hinduism perceives maternity.

Discussion Questions:

  • What is the significance of worshipping God in feminine form? Are there differences of feminine roles because of this?
  • How are societal expectations for women shaped by the historic perception of femininity as divine in Hinduism?

Homework:

  • Create a slideshow presentation about the sari and other aspects of dress typical of Hindu women, such as the bindi (or forehead mark).
  • Write a short paper (1-2 pages) describing the role of women gurus in today's Hinduism.
Photo credit

Goddess Durga reins supreme by Flickr user Ramkumar Rajendran, licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0; cropped from original.