Hinduism
Hinduism is a religious and cultural tradition that is rooted in the Indian subcontinent. Hinduism is the oldest religious tradition. Hinduism is also called Sanatan Dharma which means ‘eternal religion’. Hinduism originated in the Indus Valley which is currently in Pakistan. Hinduism is the third largest religion being practiced in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka.
Holy Scriptures : The Vedas, the Upanishads, the Ramayana and the Mahabharatha are the pillars of Hinduism. The Vedas are ancient texts written by rishis. The Vedas include Rigveda (Wisdom of the Verses), Yajurveda (Wisdom of Sacrificial Formulas), Samaveda (Wisdom of Chants), and Ataravaveda (Wisdom of Atharvan Priests).
The Upanisads highlight asceticism and renunciation. The Ramayan is about the life of Lord Rama. The Mahabharatha includes the Bhagvad Gita that describes karma-marga (Path of Duties), jnana-marga (path of knowledge) and bhakti-marga (path of devotion). The Puranas is also one of the ancient texts. The Mnausmriti is the prescribe law book.
Practices and Beliefs: There are numerous practices in Hinduism. The western world considers Hinduism to be a religion of multiple gods and multiple deities. In spite of the diversities and variations there are central issues that unify them in one religion “Hiduism”. According to Hinduism, Brahma is the creator of this universe, Vishnu is the preserver and Shiva is the destroyer.
Shiva is considered sometimes to be all the three simultaneously, the creator, maintainer and destroyer of life. Most people consider Hinduism to be a henotheistic religion in which a single deity is recognized , but at the same time other gods and goddesses are considered forms , facets , aspects or manifestations of the supreme and are equally recognized. Vaishnvaism and Shivaism are the two division which are usually followed by the urban Hindus.
Vaishnvaism regards Lord Vishu as the ultimate deity while Shivaism considers Lord Shiva as the ultimate deity. The ultimate aim of Hinduism is moksha (liberation, salvation) from the cycle of death and rebirth. Hinduism is based on Dharma, Samsara, Karma, Moksha. Dharma means ethics and duties; Samsara means rebirth; Karma means right action; Moksha means liberation from the cycle of Samsara.
The structure of the caste system in India is supported by the belief that one’s karma (deeds) determine one’s birth in the next life. The caste system in India is determined by the occupation and constitutes of Brahmins who are the priests, Kshatriyas who are the nobles and warriors, Vaishyas who are the commoners and Sudras who are the servants. The Upanishads mention that Brahmanhood is achieved by in-depth learning rather than birth.
Usually Hinduism is represented by Om and Swastika. The Om represents Prarabrahman while the Swastika symbolizes auspiciousness. Hinduism advocates practice of nonviolence, respect for all life, and Vegeteranianism. Besides the Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh (Shiva), the other gods and goddesses that are mostly revered and worshipped are Ganesha, Krishna, Rama, Hanuman, Lakshmi, Saraswati, Ambe, Durga.
