Dr. Sriram’s Lecture
This related event is on the Lecture Dr. Sriram gave after hours at the Niceville Campus
on the second day in February. Much of what Dr. Sriram covered was covered in the class
lectures but there were many different things that I learned from her. This lecture was
enlightening to say the least as just being in the presence of what was brought into class made
quite an impression. Her outfit, the small shrines, the incense, and the pictures of the gods
brought about a new idea of what Indian culture is really like in it’s intricacies and simplicity.
As stated in our classroom lectures, Dr. Sriram also stated that Hinduism is a way of life
and not so much as a religion. One can only be born into this ‘religion’ so to say, not converted
into it, but for those not of Indian descent the basics of this religion can be applied into ones
own religion. All religions are said to be true by Hinduism, they are all just different pathways to
the same place. So one does not need to feel coerced into being a Hindu just to apply some of
their beliefs and teachings, one only needs to adapt what they have learned to their own
religion.
The basic idea of a supreme being is broken up into three different sub entities. These
sub entities are: Vishnu who maintains the universe, Brahma who is the creator of the universe,
and Shiva who is to be the destroyer of the universe. All three of these gods have their own
direct importance to an aspect of prayer that the Hindu may dedicate their devotion too. These
gods have their own aspects as well that may be seen of importance for worship or even for a ...