Critical Thinking Assignment
I. Hinduism
1. The Question of Origin.
“Hinduism does not trace itself to a founder or a starting point in history” (Hindson & Caner 2008). Historians trace Hinduism back to before the birth of Christ but so specific dates can be given. So much is unknown about the Hindu religion that it can’t be trace to a single individual. Hinduism began with the merging of polytheism and glorification of nature.
2. The Question of Identity.
Hinduism has millions of gods. “One picks the deities that most deeply impact our own personal lives” (Hindson & Caner 2008). Hindus believe the Gods that they choose to follow will lead them to be reincarnated at a higher state of being. 3. The Question of Meaning/Purpose.
Hinduism has for goals in life. They are pleasure, wealth, harmony, and liberation. They are known by Hindus as kama, artha, dharma, and moksha. The first two goals bring about evil and suffering, in order to obtain the last two goals the first two must be abandoned. By following these goals they hope to be reincarnated at a higher level. 4. The Question of Morality.
In the Hindu religion they believe in karma which is a cause and effect type belief. It is a, what goes around comes around type of thinking. If a person does things that they know are wrong they will be negatively impacted later in this life or in their next reincarnation. They also believe that being or doing good in this life will help them to reach a higher state of being in the next reincarnation. 5. The Question of Destiny.
Hindus destiny is the reach a state that liberated them from the cycle of life, death, reincarnation. By reaching that destiny they believe the individual disappears and merges into oneness with Brahman. There are three paths to reaching this destiny; they are ritual, meditation, and devotion.
