what is hinduism?
_dreamprince_ 2010/12/21 22:06
_dreamprince_ 2010/12/21 22:06
What is Hinduism?:
Hinduism is the world's oldest
extant religion, with a billion
followers, which makes it the
world's third largest religion.
Hinduism is a conglomeration of
religious, philosophical, and
cultural ideas and practices that
originated in India, characterized
by the belief in reincarnation, one
absolute being of multiple
manifestations, the law of cause
and effect, following the path of
righteousness, and the desire
for liberation from the cycle of
births and deaths.
Hinduism is the world's oldest
extant religion, with a billion
followers, which makes it the
world's third largest religion.
Hinduism is a conglomeration of
religious, philosophical, and
cultural ideas and practices that
originated in India, characterized
by the belief in reincarnation, one
absolute being of multiple
manifestations, the law of cause
and effect, following the path of
righteousness, and the desire
for liberation from the cycle of
births and deaths.
_dreamprince_ 2010/12/21 22:07
How is Hinduism unique from
other religions?:
Hinduism cannot be neatly
slotted into any particular belief
system. Unlike other religions,
Hinduism is a way of life, a
Dharma, that is, the law that
governs all action. It has its own beliefs, traditions, advanced
system of ethics, meaningful
rituals, philosophy and theology.
The religious tradition of
Hinduism is solely responsible for
the creation of such original
concepts and practices as Yoga,
Ayurveda, Vastu, Jyotish, Yajna,
Puja, Tantra, Vedanta, Karma,
etc.
How is Hinduism unique from
other religions?:
Hinduism cannot be neatly
slotted into any particular belief
system. Unlike other religions,
Hinduism is a way of life, a
Dharma, that is, the law that
governs all action. It has its own beliefs, traditions, advanced
system of ethics, meaningful
rituals, philosophy and theology.
The religious tradition of
Hinduism is solely responsible for
the creation of such original
concepts and practices as Yoga,
Ayurveda, Vastu, Jyotish, Yajna,
Puja, Tantra, Vedanta, Karma,
etc.
_dreamprince_ 2010/12/21 22:09
How and when did Hinduism
originate?:
Hinduism has its origins in such
remote past that it cannot be
traced to any one individual.
Some scholars believe that
Hinduism must have existed
even in circa 10000 B.C. and that
the earliest of the Hindu
scriptures – The Rig Veda – was
composed well before 6500 B.C.
The word "Hinduism" is not to be
found anywhere in the
scriptures, and the term "Hindu"
was introduced by foreigners
who referred to people living
across the River Indus or Sindhu,
in the north of India, around
which the Vedic religion is
believed to have originated.
How and when did Hinduism
originate?:
Hinduism has its origins in such
remote past that it cannot be
traced to any one individual.
Some scholars believe that
Hinduism must have existed
even in circa 10000 B.C. and that
the earliest of the Hindu
scriptures – The Rig Veda – was
composed well before 6500 B.C.
The word "Hinduism" is not to be
found anywhere in the
scriptures, and the term "Hindu"
was introduced by foreigners
who referred to people living
across the River Indus or Sindhu,
in the north of India, around
which the Vedic religion is
believed to have originated.
_dreamprince_ 2010/12/21 22:09
What are the basic tenets of
Hinduism?:
There is no “one Hinduismâ€, and
so it lacks any unified system of
beliefs and ideas. Hinduism is a
conglomerate of diverse beliefs
and traditions, in which the
prominent themes include:
Dharma (ethics and duties)
Samsara (rebirth)
Karma (right action)
Moksha (liberation from the
cycle of Samsara)
It also believes in truth, honesty,
non-violence, celibacy,
cleanliness, contentment,
prayers, austerity,
perseverance, penance, and
pious company.
What are the basic tenets of
Hinduism?:
There is no “one Hinduismâ€, and
so it lacks any unified system of
beliefs and ideas. Hinduism is a
conglomerate of diverse beliefs
and traditions, in which the
prominent themes include:
Dharma (ethics and duties)
Samsara (rebirth)
Karma (right action)
Moksha (liberation from the
cycle of Samsara)
It also believes in truth, honesty,
non-violence, celibacy,
cleanliness, contentment,
prayers, austerity,
perseverance, penance, and
pious company.
_dreamprince_ 2010/12/21 22:11
What are the key Hindu
scriptures?:
The basic scriptures of Hinduism,
which is collectively referred to
as "Shastras", are essentially a
collection of spiritual laws
discovered by different saints
and sages at different points in
its long history. The Two types of
sacred writings comprise the
Hindu scriptures: "Shruti" (heard)
and "Smriti" (memorized). They
were passed on from generation
to generation orally for
centuries before they were
written down mostly in the
Sanskrit language. The major and
most popular Hindu texts include
the Bhagavad Gita, the
Upanishads, and the epics of
Ramayana and Mahabharata.
What are the key Hindu
scriptures?:
The basic scriptures of Hinduism,
which is collectively referred to
as "Shastras", are essentially a
collection of spiritual laws
discovered by different saints
and sages at different points in
its long history. The Two types of
sacred writings comprise the
Hindu scriptures: "Shruti" (heard)
and "Smriti" (memorized). They
were passed on from generation
to generation orally for
centuries before they were
written down mostly in the
Sanskrit language. The major and
most popular Hindu texts include
the Bhagavad Gita, the
Upanishads, and the epics of
Ramayana and Mahabharata.
_dreamprince_ 2010/12/21 22:12
What are the major Hindu
deities?:
Hinduism believes that there is
only one supreme Absolute called
"Brahman". However, it does not
advocate the worship of any one
particular deity. The gods and
goddesses of Hinduism amount
to thousands or even millions, all
representing the many aspects
of Brahman. Therefore, this faith
is characterized by the
multiplicity of deities. The most
fundamental of Hindu deities is
the Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and
Shiva - creator, preserver and
destroyer respectively. Hindus
also worship spirits, trees,
animals and even planets.
What are the major Hindu
deities?:
Hinduism believes that there is
only one supreme Absolute called
"Brahman". However, it does not
advocate the worship of any one
particular deity. The gods and
goddesses of Hinduism amount
to thousands or even millions, all
representing the many aspects
of Brahman. Therefore, this faith
is characterized by the
multiplicity of deities. The most
fundamental of Hindu deities is
the Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and
Shiva - creator, preserver and
destroyer respectively. Hindus
also worship spirits, trees,
animals and even planets.
_dreamprince_ 2010/12/21 22:13
Who is a Hindu and how to
become one?:
A Hindu is an individual who
accepts and lives by the religious
guidance of the Vedic scriptures.
While the teachings of the Hindu
tradition do not require that you
have a religious affiliation to
Hinduism in order to receive its
inner teachings, it can be very
helpful to formally become a
Hindu because it provides one a
formal connection to the
“ world's oldest continually
existing enlightenment tradition."
Who is a Hindu and how to
become one?:
A Hindu is an individual who
accepts and lives by the religious
guidance of the Vedic scriptures.
While the teachings of the Hindu
tradition do not require that you
have a religious affiliation to
Hinduism in order to receive its
inner teachings, it can be very
helpful to formally become a
Hindu because it provides one a
formal connection to the
“ world's oldest continually
existing enlightenment tradition."
_dreamprince_ 2010/12/21 22:16
Being an ideal Hindu simply implies
living a righteous life by obeying
the two basic tenets of Karma,
ie, doing one's duty and Dharma,
ie, believing in what is right in
order to attain salvation from
this world.
Difficulty: Hard
Time Required: Everyday,
lifelong
Here's How:
1. Rise up from bed before
sunrise.
2. Complete morning
ablutions and bath.
3. Pay homage to the family
deity.
4. Spend 10-15 minutes
praying, meditating and
reciting from the
scriptures.
5. Prepare breakfast and eat
it only after offering the
same to the family deity.
6. Then throughout the day
execute the tasks
pertaining to one's
profession with complete
devotion, sincerity and
honesty for the
maintenance of the family.
7. In the evening perform
group prayers in the
family shrine along with all
the members of the
family.
8. This is followed by supper
and obeisance to the
family deity before retiring
to bed.
9. Besides this daily routine,
an ideal Hindu is advised to
visit the nearest Hindu
temple once in a while.
10. You should observe
several important Hindu
festivals with due
reverence, and go on
pilgrimage to a few holy
places.
11. A Hindu is expected to give
charity, help the needy,
respect the elders in
society and scrupulously
pursue the path of moral
rectitude in both personal
and social life.
12. Compassion, consideration
for others, love,
sympathy, non-violence
should be the ruling words
in the life of an ideal Hindu.
Tips:
1. Avoid the seven deadly
sins of wrath, envy,
pride, covetousness,
gluttony, sloth, and
lechery.
2. Family deity can be any
god or any saint whom you
consider your own true
god.
3. Have faith in God and
believe in yourself.
Being an ideal Hindu simply implies
living a righteous life by obeying
the two basic tenets of Karma,
ie, doing one's duty and Dharma,
ie, believing in what is right in
order to attain salvation from
this world.
Difficulty: Hard
Time Required: Everyday,
lifelong
Here's How:
1. Rise up from bed before
sunrise.
2. Complete morning
ablutions and bath.
3. Pay homage to the family
deity.
4. Spend 10-15 minutes
praying, meditating and
reciting from the
scriptures.
5. Prepare breakfast and eat
it only after offering the
same to the family deity.
6. Then throughout the day
execute the tasks
pertaining to one's
profession with complete
devotion, sincerity and
honesty for the
maintenance of the family.
7. In the evening perform
group prayers in the
family shrine along with all
the members of the
family.
8. This is followed by supper
and obeisance to the
family deity before retiring
to bed.
9. Besides this daily routine,
an ideal Hindu is advised to
visit the nearest Hindu
temple once in a while.
10. You should observe
several important Hindu
festivals with due
reverence, and go on
pilgrimage to a few holy
places.
11. A Hindu is expected to give
charity, help the needy,
respect the elders in
society and scrupulously
pursue the path of moral
rectitude in both personal
and social life.
12. Compassion, consideration
for others, love,
sympathy, non-violence
should be the ruling words
in the life of an ideal Hindu.
Tips:
1. Avoid the seven deadly
sins of wrath, envy,
pride, covetousness,
gluttony, sloth, and
lechery.
2. Family deity can be any
god or any saint whom you
consider your own true
god.
3. Have faith in God and
believe in yourself.
_dreamprince_ 2010/12/21 22:19
Hinduism does not have any one
founder, and any one core
doctrine to which controversies
can be referred to for
resolution. There is also no point
in time when it could be said to
have begun. It does not require
its adherents to accept any one
idea, and thus is cultural, not
creedal. The unique concept of
the Absolute “Brahman†that
cannot be equated with “Godâ€
is also exclusive to Hinduism.
Hinduism is also marked by an
attitude which seems to
accommodate religious and
cultural perspectives other than
one's own, and so is
characterized by a rich variety
of ideas and practices resulting
in what appears as a multiplicity
of religions under one term
'Hinduism'.
Hinduism is perhaps the only
religious tradition that is so
diverse in its theoretical
premises and practical
expressions that it is like a
compilation of religions with a
history contemporaneous with
the peoples with which it is
associated. According to
philosopher Jeaneane Fowler,
Hinduism can never be neatly
slotted into any particular belief
system — monism, theism,
monotheism, polytheism,
pantheism, panentheism— for
all these systems are reflected
in its many facets.
Hinduism does not have any one
founder, and any one core
doctrine to which controversies
can be referred to for
resolution. There is also no point
in time when it could be said to
have begun. It does not require
its adherents to accept any one
idea, and thus is cultural, not
creedal. The unique concept of
the Absolute “Brahman†that
cannot be equated with “Godâ€
is also exclusive to Hinduism.
Hinduism is also marked by an
attitude which seems to
accommodate religious and
cultural perspectives other than
one's own, and so is
characterized by a rich variety
of ideas and practices resulting
in what appears as a multiplicity
of religions under one term
'Hinduism'.
Hinduism is perhaps the only
religious tradition that is so
diverse in its theoretical
premises and practical
expressions that it is like a
compilation of religions with a
history contemporaneous with
the peoples with which it is
associated. According to
philosopher Jeaneane Fowler,
Hinduism can never be neatly
slotted into any particular belief
system — monism, theism,
monotheism, polytheism,
pantheism, panentheism— for
all these systems are reflected
in its many facets.
_dreamprince_ 2010/12/21 22:23
Hinduism is a broad label and is
difficult to define with any
exactness, but it is used by
scholars today to refer to the
traditional religious beliefs of the
people in India, both past and
present. The term "hindu" itself
means the inhabitants of the
"land beyond the indus river," and
was used by the invaliding Muslim
armies of the 8th and 9th
centuries who entered India
from the northwest.
Hindi has no actual word for
"religion" - Hinduism is not a
compartmentalized belief
system so much as it is a way of
life. As a result, some argue that
Hinduism isn't really a religion
afterall. It is, however, more like
a religion than anything else, but
it is important to keep in mind
that it isn't a "religion" just like
Christianity or Judaism are
religions.
It is because Hinduism has
developed over the course of
3000 years that it is difficult to
define, but scholars are able to
distinguish several forms and
stages. Among some of the
categories are: Vedic Hinduism,
Brahmanic Hinduism,
Philosophical Hinduism, Devotional
Hinduism, and Reformed
Hinduism.
Most people regard Hinduism as
polytheistic - an idea which is
both true and false. It is true
that Hinduism has polytheitic
elements, but it also as
monotheistic and atheistic
elements as well. It is diffiicult to
describe, but polytheism is
simply one way for a person to
look at Hinduism. The variety of
deities provides people with a
variety of ways to fulfill their
spiritual needs. Some go further
and regard all of the deities as
merely aspects of a few, or
perhaps of just one deity. Some
fo further yet and regard it all
as manifestations of a single,
impersonal ground of being - not
theistic at all. In the end,
Hinduism is what one makes of it.
Also Known As: Brahmanism
Hinduism is a broad label and is
difficult to define with any
exactness, but it is used by
scholars today to refer to the
traditional religious beliefs of the
people in India, both past and
present. The term "hindu" itself
means the inhabitants of the
"land beyond the indus river," and
was used by the invaliding Muslim
armies of the 8th and 9th
centuries who entered India
from the northwest.
Hindi has no actual word for
"religion" - Hinduism is not a
compartmentalized belief
system so much as it is a way of
life. As a result, some argue that
Hinduism isn't really a religion
afterall. It is, however, more like
a religion than anything else, but
it is important to keep in mind
that it isn't a "religion" just like
Christianity or Judaism are
religions.
It is because Hinduism has
developed over the course of
3000 years that it is difficult to
define, but scholars are able to
distinguish several forms and
stages. Among some of the
categories are: Vedic Hinduism,
Brahmanic Hinduism,
Philosophical Hinduism, Devotional
Hinduism, and Reformed
Hinduism.
Most people regard Hinduism as
polytheistic - an idea which is
both true and false. It is true
that Hinduism has polytheitic
elements, but it also as
monotheistic and atheistic
elements as well. It is diffiicult to
describe, but polytheism is
simply one way for a person to
look at Hinduism. The variety of
deities provides people with a
variety of ways to fulfill their
spiritual needs. Some go further
and regard all of the deities as
merely aspects of a few, or
perhaps of just one deity. Some
fo further yet and regard it all
as manifestations of a single,
impersonal ground of being - not
theistic at all. In the end,
Hinduism is what one makes of it.
Also Known As: Brahmanism
-DeMoN_OvErLoRd- 2010/12/22 03:49
Nice info thanks very much..I always love to here the stories and things in Hinduism its very interesting.
Nice info thanks very much..I always love to here the stories and things in Hinduism its very interesting.
TheMouse 2010/12/24 06:57
I like it that here I can read about Hinduism in a concise and simple way, without getting confused again about too many details, thanks, bro!
I like it that here I can read about Hinduism in a concise and simple way, without getting confused again about too many details, thanks, bro!
#78 Faith/Beliefs
Share your views and beliefs on religion, theology, culture and matters of faith.