Hinduism, or Sanātana Dharma, is the main religion of India. Hinduism is said to be the ‘oldest living major tradition’. Hinduism is the worlds 3rd largest religion and has approximately a billion followers, which is about 13 percent of the worlds population. Hinduism is extraordinarily different from most other religions in many ways. Unlike most religions, Hinduism has no single founder and no single sacred text. Rather, it developed out of the different religions that were inhabiting India. Although it has not been completely proven, it is widely accepted that the overlapping beliefs started when the Aryans brought the beliefs and gods of the Indus Valley people. “Later, other people brought other gods, beliefs, and practices. As a result, Hinduism became one of the world’s most complex religions, with countless gods and goddesses and many forms of worship side by side.” (Prentice Hall 76-78). Hindu beliefs can be very different but most share some basic concepts . “Hindu beliefs vary widely, with concepts of God and/or gods ranging from Panentheism, pantheism, monotheism, polytheism, and atheism with Vishnu and Shiva being the most popular deities. Other notable characteristics include a belief in reincarnation and karma, as well as personal duty, or dharma” (Wikipedia). In Hinduism, every being has a atman. Atman is a persons inner light, or essentially their soul. The Hindu goal of life is to become in union with their atman, to achieve moksha, or spiritual enlightenment. To do this, a individual must rid themselves of selfishness. This might not be possible in one life time, so many Hindus believe in reincarnation, or the rebirth of the soul in another bodily form. Karma refers to all the actions of a person’s life that affect his/her fate in the next life. In Hinduism, all forms of existence is ranked. By having good karma, you are more likely to move closer to moksha if you are a human. If you are an animal, plant, or object, you may move up a step in existence. However, if you have bad karma, you may also move down in existence. Hindus who do not follow the Hindu text may be born into suffering. In Indian art, this endless cycle of death and rebirth is symbolized by the image of the wheel. To escape this wheel or cycle, Hinduism stresses dharma, or religious and moral duties. “By obeying one’s dharma, a person acquires a merit for the next life” (Prentice Hall 76-78). A principle of Hinduism called ahimsa is also followed. Ahimsa is nonviolence. To Hindus, all people and things are a form of brahman and should be treated kindly Lastly, Hindus usually follow sacred texts. The sacred texts, like christian texts, where written down by different people at different times. These scriptures came from visions Hindus had. For centuries the scripts were transmitted orally until they were later written down. “They are divided into Sruti (’revealed’) and Smriti (’remembered’). These scriptures discuss theology ,philosophy, and mythology, and provide information on the practice of dharma” (Wikipedia).
Hinduism has many symbols and has a lot of symbolism. “Many acts of worship, such as puja, are symbolic, a form of visualisation in which worshipers simulate activities normally performed on higher planes of existence. Thus the scope of symbolism is broad and includes physical acts such as offering pranam (obeisances) with folded hands. Such physical gestures tend to induce the appropriate mood and awareness within the practitioner. Many symbols are considered auspicious, embodying the notion of inner purity. Sacred emblems are displayed in the home or temple to invoke good fortune.” (Hinduism.iskcon.com) The most famous and important symbol, the symbol of Aum, pronounced “Om” or called pranava, stands for the universe. Aum is believed to be an influence of everything. Other important symbols are hands in prayer, the lotus, the conch shell, and the trident. Kalasha, a coconut circled by mango leaves on a pot is also important, as well as the cow, lotus feet, and a dipa, or sacred lamp.
The theory of creation in Hinduism is much different than the theories of creation in many other religions. In Hinduism, the universe contains several worlds, or dimensions. “With its cyclical notion of time, Hinduism teaches that the material world is created not once but repeatedly, time and time again. Additionally, this universe is considered to be one of many, all enclosed “like innumerable bubbles floating in space.” Within this universe, there are three main regions: the heavenly planets, the earthly realm and the lower worlds. Scripture goes into some detail as to the nature of these regions and their respective inhabitants.
Hinduism is therefore not predominantly earth-centered, and puts much emphasis on other “planes of existence” – various material abodes and the spiritual realm itself. This is reflected in Hindu stories and specifically through the concept of lila (divine pastime).These lilas take place in the spiritual world and are replicated at sacred locations on earth. There is no one simple account of creation, and there are many detailed and inter-related stories. Central is the narration of the sacrifice of the primal being (purusha), found in the Rig Veda. On the metaphysical level, the universe is created from sound (vak). Sound corresponds to ether, the subtlest of the five material elements. According to such sankhya philosophy, the elements develop progressively from subtle to gross. The atman, more subtle than any matter, generates his own successive material bodies. This world and its creatures are here to facilitate the soul’s self-centered desires, and ultimately to enable his return to the spiritual world.” (Hinduism.iskcon.com)
In Hinduism, there are several life fulfilling paths that can be taken. These paths are called yoga’s and they create a persons spiritual path. The three paths consist of Karma-yoga, Jnana-yoga, Astanga-yoga, and bhakti-yoga. Karma-yoga is the attempt to release ones self from any selfish self fulfilling action and dedicate ones life to their gods. This devotion to the gods and the heavens ensures the translation from life onto the next world. Jnana-yoga relates closely to key aspects of Buddhism. In Jnana-yoga, the main goals of life is to gain knowledge through seclusion, study, and using spiritual senses. Hindus who practice Jnana-yoga are to rid themselves of desires, similar to Siddhartha. Astanga-yoga is a meditative yoga. It’s main point is to try to leave the material world, and focus on the spiritual center or inner god. The last of the yogas, Bhakti-yoga is actually a combination of all the previous yogas. This all-in-one yoga is usually the yoga chosen by Hindus to reach spiritual fulfilment. It includes godly worship as in Karma-yoga, as well as the spiritual self development seen in Jnana-yoga. Through meditative spiritual reasoning it also involves Astanga-yoga. This full variety of worship allows a follower to find spiritual needs of one yoga without sacrificing the others.
The Indian caste system has been used for thousands of years. “To Hindus, people in different castes were different species of beings” (Prentice Hall 86-87). The most important caste was the Harappa, which were the ruling kings. Then followed the Brahmans, or the teachers and priests. After them were the Kshatriyas, or rulers and warriors. Following the Kshatriyas were the Vaisyas, or farmers and merchants. Almost last is the Sudras, or artisans and workers. And Last is the untouchables. “For the lowest-ranked outcastes, or “Untouchables,” life was harsh and restricted. To them fell “impure” jobs such as digging graves, cleaning streets, or turning animal hides into leather. Other castes feared that contact with and Untouchable could spread pollution. Untouchables have to live apart. They even had to sound a wooden clapper to warn of their approach.” (Prentice Hall 86-87) And although discrimination against India’s lowest Hindu castes is technically illegal, millions of Untouchables are victims of violence of they forget their place.
Hinduism is a religion that continues to grow, spread, and diversify. It has many aspects that made it a interesting and fulfilling religion to follow. It also shows great differences in beliefs and punishments than other religions, which make it relatively hard to compare to another religion. Its a way of life in which the goal, similar to Buddhism, is full of spiritual self-awareness and Tradition. Hinduism is enriched with culture and history which is cherished, practiced, and celebrated; This makes it a colorful and amazing religion, keeping its uniqueness and gaining popularity among outsiders. To conclude, it is the oldest living tradition, and I believe it will continue to grow, and may surpass Christianity and Islam over the next century.
Works Cited:
http://hinduism.iskcon.com/
http://hinduism.iskcon.com/concepts/112.htm
http://hinduism.iskcon.com/lifestyle/806.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinduism
Prentice Hall 76-78 “World History, Connections To Today”
2005 by Pearson Education, Inc.
very good job, I like u listed your sources
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