Hinduism-introductory course topics

Introductory course topics for a course on Hinduism.

• Memetic culture
• "Primary" vs "Secondary counter" religions spectrum
• Hindu India's contributions to the world course
• Purusharthas: Dharma, Artha, Kama, Moksha. Their corresponding Shastras (detailed treatises) & Sutras (pithy concepts).
• States of being: Jagruthi (Awake), Swapna (Dream), Sushupthi (Dreamless sleep), Turiya (constant awareness) - from Upanishads
• Shan Astika Darshanas & NAstika Carvaka Darshana: Six Philosophies: Nyaya (Gautama), Vaiseshika (Kanada), Samkya (Kapila), Yoga (Patanjali), (Purva) Mimamsa (Jaimini), Vedanta (Uttara Mimamsa) (Badarayana) 
• Pramaana: Ways of obtaining knowledge & their relationship with the Darshanas: Pratyaksha (perception), Anumaana (inference), Shabda (trusted word), Upamaana (Analogy), Arthapatthi (Circumstantial inference), Anupalabdi/Abhava (non-existence). http://vedham.blogspot.com/2018/09/the-different-ways-of-acquiring.html
• Shan Margam/Shan Matha: Six Bhakti (devotional sects): Vaishnavas (Vishnu), Shaivas (Shiva), Ganapathyas (Ganapathi), Shaktas (Shakti), Kaumaras (Kumara), Shauryas (Surya)
• Vedanta Darshanas: Advaita (Adi Sankara), VisishtaAdvaita (Ramanuja), Dvaita (Madhva), DvaitaAdvaita (Nimbarka), Suddhadvaita (Vallaba), Bhedabheda (Bhaskara, Chaitanya)
• Ashta Anga Yoga: Add Ashta Anga Yoga concepts: Yama (control & don'ts), Niyama (rules & todo-s), Asana (posture), Pranayama (control of Prana), Pratyahara (withdrawal of senses), Dharana (external focus), Dhyana (internal focus or meditation), Samadhi (final state). http://vedham.blogspot.com/2018/01/what-is-yoga.html
• Prana: Different types of Prana (Prana, Apana, Vyana, Udanaya, Samanaya)
• Final state: Elaborate on Samadhi & Turiya, self realization concepts. The onion analogy of our own selves: Karma Indriyas (organs of action), Jnana Indriyas (sense organs), Manas (mind), Buddhi (Intellect), Aham (Ego or sense of I), Avyaktam (inert state), Jivaatma (soul), Paramaatma (supreme soul of which Jivaatma is a part). Also mention Brahman, the name of God given to the formless & attributeless. Also, the final state of Sarguna Parabrahmam & Nirguna Parabrahmam.
• Yoga: Different types of Yoga: Ashta Anga, Bhakti (devotion), Jnana (knowledge), Raja, Karma, Kundalini, Sambrahma. History of Hatha Yoga. http://vedham.blogspot.com/2018/03/introduction-to-yoga-sample-syllabus.html
• Vairagyas: http://vedham.blogspot.com/2019/10/the-four-vairagyas.html
• Arishadvargas-6 enemies of the mind: http://vedham.blogspot.com/2019/12/arishadvargas-six-enemies-of-mind.html
• Shruti, Smriti: Veda, Upanishad, PurAna, IthihAsA, SatChitAnanda
• Chatush Varna: Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vaishya & Shudra: The first appearances of Varna.
• Ashrama: Brahmacharya, GrihastAshrama, Vanaprastha, Sanyasa
• Karma, Samsara, Yajna, Dana, Tapasya, Ishta Devatha, Samskara
• Hindu saints & social reformers
• Buddhism, Sikhism, Jainism & relation to Hinduism