Introduction to Hinduism

In this video we begin our study of Hinduism by exploring the Vedas, the Upanishads, and the creation story in the Rig Veda.

[wolfhaven]

I am in love with Hindu philosophy. I wish your classes were not just one semester, Professor Bolland.
There is so much we can learn from all religions. We especially need that guidance and that enlightenment right now.

[henripepels]

You got a fan on the other side (of the ocean);

[nprakash]

Appreciate the great effort in deciphering Hinduism to the wider audience around the globe..
I just beg to point out that your pronunciation of Sanatana Dharma is "Sanantana" in the place of "Sanatana" . Second, Sanatana means eternal 16:52 which has been there from the beginning of time and will remain till the end of time. The timeline of the Vedantic literature is speculated to be around 2, 500 - 3, 000 years. But this is said to be the period when it was put into some form of writing. However, the origin of the Vedas dates back much earlier. The vedic knowledge was passed on by word of mouth from Guru to disciples in a very scientific way called Krama paata, Pada paata, Samhita paata..

[AmericanJediMama]

Well, I found you (or was I directed to you?) here (YouTube + Portland + ...🤔), and I am wise enough to stick around for free classes! If you taught up here (heehee), at PSU, I think a good part of my FAFSA funds would be used on your classes. That may not be our path, but I did just pop out and buy your e-book (I'm currently on a Kindle-only budget, but my copy of Jung's Red Book is one of my treasures if that tells you anything), as a little treat for me and a thanks to you!🙌🏽🌈🤲🏼

[kray]

Excellent channel. Peter, you’re a captivating speaker and your understanding of the all these historical philosophies and religions is on point. Look forward to working my way through your videos and continually learning and growing. Thank you for putting these out.

[cpadman]

The world we see is not reality itself but a projection onto our consciousness. The Isha Upanishad states, “the Brahman forms everything that is living or non-living … the wise man knows that all beings are identical with his self, and his self is the self of all beings.”
Erwin Schrödinger ( Quantum Physics) was fascinated by this thought. According to Subhash Kak’s book The Wishing Tree (2008), Schrödinger named his dog Atman, and his conference talks would, by one account, often end with the statement ‘Atman=Brahman’, that he would call – somewhat self-aggrandizing – the second Schrödinger’s equation.

[cpadman]

Beautiful presentation of the Rig Veda! Even Carl Sagan ( Cosmos) was fascinated by that verse from the Rig Veda on creation. The celebrated 'Creation Hymn' (Nasadiya Sukta) is in the tenth chapter of the Rig Veda. The sages are speculating about the most fundamental question of philosophy - how did this universe originate? They are even willing to say that the gods came afterward and that even the all-pervading spirit may or may not know the answer. And, remember, this is roughly 1400 BCE.
Contrary to what many believe, India in Vedic times had a robust tradition of philosophic speculation, skepticism, and rejection of dominant philosophies in favor of more liberal, inclusive thought; it is the birthplace of the world's first materialist philosophical system. It was only after the medieval ages that questioning was stifled by ritualism and canonical ideas.

[youtubestudio]

Very underrated channel man! Imma subscribe!

[nijinskihind]

well, in my thinking I wonder how poignant and rewarding it would have been for me to have been your student 50 years ago when all life's questions came into my awareness. Oh well. it is fun now to fill in all of the missing pieces. At one point you read "desire is the primal seed" (that entered into the darkness). Is this the entrance of "maya"? Thank you for your clarity. It is helpful.

[Los_Angeles_Singer]

you did not understand the concept of "Gods" in the Rig Veda. The HE refers to the supreme being that is similar to the Almighty Abrahamic God. The "gods" in Hinduism are the Devas (sort of like Greek gods. My two cents.

[souravmisra]

Thanks. Appreciate your videos. We have our country's actual name and that is Bharat. Republic of Bharat. But constitution allowed both name use officially. In all the Indian languages 'Bharat' is used. "It says Bharat that is India." Bharat comes from the name of great King Bhorat who ruled the whole continent once and he choose his Successor based on skills and not real sons. Now in several writings like Bhagavad Gita a person is called as Bharata or son of Bhorat.

[souravmisra]

I heard from an Indian guy who is trying to interpret many hymns and translating them in English. He said most of the European translation were not good at all. They most of time could not understand the subtlety of Sanskrit words. Of course they are difficult to interpret because they were written in early Sanskrit language and many had changed their meaning. But it is told the European translation is too much focused on cows. 🐄 'Go' have several roots in Sanskrit but all the European translation consider it as cow and makes the whole translation nonsense.

[prarabdhadubey]

What is that dancing statue at the back?

[rax]

Reality is something else from what you are explaining the hindu religion because people only knows what the one community wanted them to know from around last thousand years only, india is a big manipulated place where thoughts of the people are controlled for the specific community growth

[uncomfortabletruths]

Your TIMELINE IS TOTALLY BOTCHED UP. Western( Christian) timeline CANNOT COMPREHEND anything beyond 4000 years.😅😅