Hinduism is the third most popular religion in the world, and has about 900 million followers. People who follow this religion are known as Hindus. Around 80 percent of the population in India call themselves as Hindus. Hinduism is also called as the "Sanatana Dharma". In Sanskrit, the original language of India, 'Sanatana' means Everlasting and 'Dharma', means Religion.
and 'Dharma', means Religion.
Basics of Hinduism:
Hinduism does not believe in a single set of belief or way of worship. Indeed the word itself did not appear in English until 1829. Hinduism is the conglomeration of a variety of different religious groups, which come out of India.
History of Hinduism:
Hinduism was formed from the practices of those who lived near the Indus river, that is the modern day Pakistan. However Hinduism has been influenced by the traditions, stories and practices of people from other parts of India and beyond.
Hindu God or Gods:
Hinduism Believes in just One God. It gives us the opportunity to visualize the various forms of god. This belief is often mixed with polytheism. It is believed that the Hindus worship many gods, but in fact, many Hindus would claim to believe in one eternal god (Brahman), which is indefinable, whilst revering other deities. They recognize the other gods as different aspects of the Brahman.
Karma:
Karma is central to Hindu faith. According to Hinduism the soul goes through a cycle of lives and the next incarnation depends on the previous life. Our actions in the previous life keeps us in this world, this bondage is known as "Karma". The bondage refers to the confinement to this "samsara" in the same way as the spokes are limited to the wheel. While good actions can cause us to be reborn to experience good results, bad actions can cause us to be reborn again and again to undergo suffering and pain.
Caste system under Hinduism:
The caste system which was described in the Vedas, has been abused much over the years, this was nothing but a representation of a society. The four castes are - the Brahmins, the Kshatriyas, the Vaishyas, and the Shudras. An efficient human society is based on its educational system that is the Brahmins, its defense and military system that is the Kshatriyas, its economical system that is the Vaishyas, and a strong workforce called the Shudras. This representation of the people in various Varna's was exploited by many in the Indian society, leading to the formation of many thousands of sub-castes, and also the so-called "upper" castes.
and 'Dharma', means Religion.
Basics of Hinduism:
- Hinduism is more than 3000 years old; its elements of faith are even older.
- It has no single founder, teacher, or prophet.
- It is not a single unified religion.
- It had originated around the river Indus.
- It Believes in a universal soul or God.
- There are many deities like Krishna, Shiva, Rama and Durga.
- Hindus believe in the existence of a cycle of birth, death, and reincarnation, which is based on the concept of karma
Hinduism does not believe in a single set of belief or way of worship. Indeed the word itself did not appear in English until 1829. Hinduism is the conglomeration of a variety of different religious groups, which come out of India.
History of Hinduism:
Hinduism was formed from the practices of those who lived near the Indus river, that is the modern day Pakistan. However Hinduism has been influenced by the traditions, stories and practices of people from other parts of India and beyond.
Hindu God or Gods:
Hinduism Believes in just One God. It gives us the opportunity to visualize the various forms of god. This belief is often mixed with polytheism. It is believed that the Hindus worship many gods, but in fact, many Hindus would claim to believe in one eternal god (Brahman), which is indefinable, whilst revering other deities. They recognize the other gods as different aspects of the Brahman.
Karma:
Karma is central to Hindu faith. According to Hinduism the soul goes through a cycle of lives and the next incarnation depends on the previous life. Our actions in the previous life keeps us in this world, this bondage is known as "Karma". The bondage refers to the confinement to this "samsara" in the same way as the spokes are limited to the wheel. While good actions can cause us to be reborn to experience good results, bad actions can cause us to be reborn again and again to undergo suffering and pain.
Caste system under Hinduism:
The caste system which was described in the Vedas, has been abused much over the years, this was nothing but a representation of a society. The four castes are - the Brahmins, the Kshatriyas, the Vaishyas, and the Shudras. An efficient human society is based on its educational system that is the Brahmins, its defense and military system that is the Kshatriyas, its economical system that is the Vaishyas, and a strong workforce called the Shudras. This representation of the people in various Varna's was exploited by many in the Indian society, leading to the formation of many thousands of sub-castes, and also the so-called "upper" castes.
