Hinduism Syllabus set by London University

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Further to our earlier email about Hinduism being taught as a subject, we have been requested by one of the Vedanta Centres for details of the syllabus. We are sending the details to other centres as the subject may be of interest.

 

The syllabus of Hinduism by University of London is well focused and covers a large amount of material. It is divided into five sections as follows:

GCSE (General Certificate of School examination on): Hinduism Section 1. Definition of Sanatan Dharma: Ideas of Samsar, Moksha and Law of Karma: Concept of God With Form: Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh, Parvati, Saraswati, Lakshmi, Durga, Kali. Avatars: Specially Rama and Sita and Krishna and Radha. Hanuman and Ganesh. (the description and roles as well as the special qualities they promote). Without form: Only as qualities - the teachings of Arya Samaj Beyond form/formless: Concepts of Atman and Brahman Section 2: (for all these topics only the basics are introduced not the detailed material) Different pathways to Moksha (Bhakti Jnana Karma and Raja)

Scriptures:

Shruti (Vedas + Upanishads) Smriti (broad classifications, Purana, Itihas(epics), Codes of Conduct (Manusmriti) Bhagavad Gita: (and basics of Upanishadic teachings) Basic Philosophic ideas in Dvaita and Advaita Vedanta Section 3 (ritualistic aspects) Worship in the home: (why it is done, what is done, what symbolism is invoked) Worship in the temple: (what roles do temples in UK fulfil apart from place of worship) Pilgrimage: Why, where, when, what to do there? Emphasis on Varanasi, Jagganthpuri, Brindavan, Ayodhya, Rites of passages (Samskars): For the syllabus concentrate on Upanayana, Vivah and Antim Kriya. Key rituals, what symbolic meanings?

Havan and Meditation (Yoga) (only basics of what is involved). Section 4: Ashram system:

4 Ashramas - what are they and what are the key concepts for each. What part of the Ashram system is still relevant. (ideas of celibacy for Brahmacharaya, ideas of looking after the elderly in the Grahasta ashram, ideas of withdrawing from desires in the Vanaprastha and ideas of complete renunciation essential in the search for God). Hindu Family life in the UK and how these traditions are kept alive: Religious Education and Interfaith ideals: Section 5 Has an option of dealing with concepts Of either: 'Respect for life' (Ahimsa and use of these ideas in politics by MK Gandhi and other groups) Or option to study the: Caste System

(We have told the university that the youngsters who come to our classes have been born and brought up in the UK and are not aware of caste system and we are not going to teach caste system which is more a social rather than spiritual ideology. Hence none of our youngsters attempt the question on caste system). The largest number of candidates sitting for Hinduism exams in the UK come from the Vivekananda Centre so it is just a matter of time before the university heeds of our views. We have suggested this topic to be replaced with: Contemporary Hinduism. ==================================== The advanced / supplementary level syllabus in Hinduism: (this would be suited to 17 and 18 year olds sitting for pre-university exams) The syllabus is pretty good it contains: Contribution of contemporary Hindu figures: Sri Ramakrishna, Swami Dayananda Saraswati M K Gandhi and Dr Radhakrishnan Study in depth two texts: Kathopanishad and part of Bhagvad Gita, Yoga: (Patanjali Yoga sutra) Concepts of Atman and Brahman in detail Law of Karma and pathways to Moksha in detail Dharma not only as applied to laws followed by the individuals but as laws governing the whole cosmos. Historic development of Hinduism, Sectarian movements belonging to Rama, Krishna, Shiva etc..