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FAITHS | Bahá'í | Buddhism | Catholicism | Christianity | Hinduism | ISKCON | Islam | Jainism | Judaism | Methodist | Paganry | Sikhism An Introduction to Hinduism Hinduism (Sanskrit - Sanatana (eternal) Dharma) is a religion or philosophy that originated from the Indian subcontinent and nearby surrounding areas. Hinduism is not a term which identifies a single set of beliefs or ways of worship. It encompasses many religious rituals that widely vary in practice, as well as many diverse sects and philosophies. Hinduism is the third largest religion in the world, with approximately 900 million adherents (2005 figure), of whom approximately 890 million live in India . It is also the oldest major world religion. Unlike many other religions, Hinduism has no main founder, and no main holy city. The Nature of God Hindus believe in the universal soul ( Brahman ), as the sole reality who is present in all things. It is often believed that Hindus worship many gods, but the scriptures explain that there is just one eternal God ( Brahman ) who is indefinable, and the individual deities are different aspects/manifestations of Brahman. As we ourselves have bodies it is much easier for us to relate to God in an embodied form, and as each individual is different, the particular relationship they wish to build with God is different and hence He is worshipped through these many different forms. Some of the most popular deities include Vishnu (the creator aspect of God), the Devi (mother/feminine aspect) and Shiva (destroyer aspect) Karma The Law of Karma is the concept that 'As you sow, so shall you reap.' Therefore action and reaction (on a physical, mental and spiritual level) are equal and opposite. Karma is what a person does, what a person thinks, and even what a person does not do. Hindus believe that the soul passes through a cycle of successive lives on the long journey towards moksha (salvation), and just as we have to change clothes when they get worn out and dirty, so we have to change our bodies. Hence the results of one's actions in one life can also be carried over to the next, which can affect one's fortunes depending on the individual's past actions. The Three Paths Union with God ( Yoga ) can be achieved through three different means, and normally by a combination of these three:
Scriptures Since Hinduism is not confined to a single set of ideas, a vast array of scriptures exist. Perhaps the most well known of these is the Bhagavad Gita , in which many essential points of Hindu philosophy have been condensed by Lord Krishna , an incarnation of the preserver aspect of God. This is just a brief introduction to a few key concepts, for more information please visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinduism http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/hinduism/
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'My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness.' |
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