Hinduism: Native Influences and Syncretism

Movements toward
Syncretism
As was the case in the beginning of Hindusim,
the blending forces of syncretism were
powerful and still instrumental in shaping the
religion.
After the spread of the Vedic form of the
religion, it interacted with numerous other
cultrual and social forces that shaped the
religion into varying strands and traditions.
Syncretism
Some of the
traditions that come
from a blending of
traditional Hinduism
and other cultural
elements:
Shaktism
Gnostic Stances
Kashmiri Shaivism
Sikhism
Hindu Shaktism
Develops a sense of the unity of Universe with creative a
feminine deity.
The Divine Mother, or Central Fertility Goddess is the
central element to which all the remaining elements of the
Universe are somehow connected.
Mother Nature can be seen as an expression of this
Control and/or manipulation of this deity was possible
through certain tantra that incorporates magical/spiritual
practices of the local tribal culture with the larger mythos
of the religion.
Hindu Shaktism, con’t
The Indiana Jones Mythos
Shakra stones and the
manipulation of the power
of the diety
 While the narrative is not
entirely factual, many elements
are. The significant power of
manipulation of the tribal
peoples and nature are
manifestations of Shaktism and
the power of the tantras.
Gnosis and Secrecy
 In addition to the power of Unlocking those secrets
tantras and the pull of helps one to better express
Shaktism, there is also a real their bhakti devotion to the
synthesis of indigenous
deity and possible to gain
religious knowledge and the
heirarchy that is displayed in
greater favor and attention
the Vedic literature and from the deity.
writings. In most cases, gnosis became
The role of the guru a reaction to Brahmin power
which claimed a similar
and the role of the authority.
temple guides are to
unlock the secrets of
the practice of the
faith and its truths.
Kashmiri Shaivism
Kashmir is the extreme
northwestern territory of India
bordering present day
Pakistan. It is a highly disputed
area between the two nations
From this area an emphasis on a
threefold (triadic) expression of
the goddess Shiva: Shakti, Shiva
and the Individual.
Kashmiri Shaivism
This particular triad was
expressed in most
ecstatic ways with very
close attention paid to
dancing, poetry,
sexuality and other
human experiences
The goddess Shiva’s
most potent expression
was often the central
point of unity: Kali.
Kashmiri Shaivism
The Cult of Thugee
Hindu expression of
bhakti to Kali.
Allowed to practice their
faith from about the 12th
century until early 19th
century, when British
Colonial Government
halted the practice.
The term is the origin or
our present day use of
the word thug.
Sikhism
Begins with a Guru names Nanak (1469-1539)
who at the age of thirty has a transforming
expereince of the Ultimate.
Upon entering a river to bath he has a
revelation of the divine and for the next three
days is hidden from his companions.
Despite his own upbringing as a Hindu in a
Muslim social context, he declares, “ There is
no Hindu, there is no Muslim.”
Sikhism
At the core of Sikh beliefs is the Mul Mantra
which sees God as the One singular Creator of all
things. This God is timeless and immortal and is
known by the grace of Guru.
Sikhism, while being centered in a Hindu
worldview incorporates many elements of the
Muslim tradition that make a blending of the
traditions unique.
Key elements in the tradition include:
Baptism, recitations of prayers and hymns,
centering worship
Review Preparation