|
|
Hinduism
|
Hinduism is a difficult faith to define simply. One central part of Hinduism
is the belief in a single God, known as Brahman. In Hinduism, God is eternal
and makes himself visible in many forms and ways. Hinduism has
a concept of God manifesting himself in three forms. Lord Brahma is the creator,
Lord Vishnu is the preserver and Lord Shiva is the destroyer.
There are many other manifestations of God, each of which is referred to as
Gods in his or her own right, such as Surya, the sun god, and Sarasvati, the
goddess of learning.
Hinduism is a very accommodating faith. It accepts all views. It
even teaches that personal experience is more important as a
guide to life than the scriptures. This accommodating and
evolving nature of Hinduism is perhaps how so many other great
faiths have evolved from Hinduism, including Sikhism, Bhuddism and
Jainism. It also helps to understand why Hinduism is so diverse
and rich in its beliefs.
Back to contents
Hinduism is one of the oldest faiths. It is as much a religion
as a way of life. It a very adaptable faith. It started with
a series of beliefs that were documented, knows as the Vedas.
The documented beliefs were expanded and explained by a series
of teachers, known as gurus, throughout the centuries and
continue to evolve and adapt even today.
There are two forms of Veda. The Shruti are the beliefs that are
understood to be self-evident, neither created by God or by Man.
The Smritis are the beliefs that are remembered, beliefs handed
down from generation to generation.
The Vedas comprise four sections. The section called Samhitas
which contain a collection of original hymns in praise
of various gods and goddesses. Each hymn comprises stansas which
are called Mantras. Mantras are believed to carry within themselves
various spiritual or magical powers which can be unlocked if they
are properly recited. The section called Brahmanas relates to
the ritual beliefs of Hinduism. The Aranyakas section, the Books of the
Forest, contains information on the nature and importance of
sacrifices and their relation to man and the universe. The Upanishads
form the end portions of the Vedas and constitute the Hindu Philosophy
known as Vedanta.
Following on from the Vedas are a vast wealth of literature. The
Shastras, for example, a series of four key guides to personal behaviour
which are believed to help humans to lead a life without suffering.
The Bhagavad Gita is the discourse of God which is revealed to us through
the conversation between God and Arjuna in the battle field of Kurukshetra,
with profound insights into life. There are a great many other
works that deeply influence Hindus.
Back to contents
Hinduism is, at its heart, a belief that there is one all-pervasive
God, that God is in everyone, and that everyone is in God. Hinduism
believes that the aim of every person is to realise this divine nature
within himself or herself. The ego, or ahamkar, is the root cause of
all suffering. If an individual has to escape from suffering he has
to cease to be his or her egoistic self and identify himself or herself
with a limitless inner self.
Hinduism believes that all beings have souls, are equally important in
the scheme of creation and that they all evolve continuously till they
achieve final freedom. Man is but one stage in this evolution of life
and in the soul's upward journey towards such liberation.
Hinduism has given to the world the concept of karma, according to which
all actions produce positive or negative reactions which shape our lives.
Conversely, those actions that are done without expectation of a result,
as a sacrifice to God, do not change our lives.Sacrifice through
surrendering to God is therefore the basis of salvation.
Hinduism gives immense freedom to each individual to choose whatever
path he or she wants to choose. It does not believe in imposition
of faith from outside, nor changing of ones faith to another because
it is more attractive. Each person has to pursue the path of God
according to his or her inner nature and evolution. As a consquence,
Hinduism does not believe in converting people from one faith to
faith in an organized way. There are many ways in which one can
approach God. All paths in the end lead to Him only.
Back to contents
|
|
|
|
|
