...Hindu Religion Hinduism is one of the oldest organized religions in the world. The religion has thousands of diverse religious groupings that evolved in the Indian subcontinent from as far as 1500 BC. The Hindu religion has a variety of traditions, and, therefore, freedom of practices and beliefs are some of the notable feature of this religion. Hinduism includes the following traditionsVaishnavism, Srauta, and Shaivism, among others (Georgis 62). The religion has groupings such as Kapalikas. Hinduism has a variety of philosophies which include a spectrum of prescriptions as well as laws based on dharma and karma among other societal norms. By 21st century, it is reported that the Hindu religion had about a billion followers around the globe, and about eighty percent of Indians practices Hinduism. Hinduism differentiates itself from Christianity and other religions in that; the religion does not have a single founder, a single concept of deity, a central religious authority, a single system of morality, a concept of prophet, or a specific theoretical system. These are some of things that are found in other religions. Early history of Hinduism is a subject to numerous debates, and this is because of various reasons. First, the term Hinduism is a modern term but the sources of Hindu traditions are exceedingly ancient. Secondly, the religion embraces many traditions. Thirdly, there is no definite start point for Hinduism, and the traditions associated with...
Words: 1609 - Pages: 7
...Religious Politics in India There are one billion people in India, the second most populous country in the world. This means every sixth person in the world is an Indian. About 450 million Indians live below the poverty line. Suppression of religious minorities and its nuclear blasts have made India visible to the world. One of the messages that India sent to the world was that it needs to be reckoned with. The Hindu nationalist leadership on the whole sent this message. While each country needs dignity before others, many ask why such a poverty-ridden country should invest massive amounts in nuclear devices and why it persecutes a Christian religious minority that has made bold attempts to empower the poor of India. Religious Landscape in India Of the one billion people in India, 85 percent are Hindus, 10 percent Muslims, and 2.5 percent Christians. The rest belong to other religious minorities: Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsees and other groups. Though the decennial census classifies 85 percent as Hindus, there is no positive definition of what Hinduism is. Negatively, whoever does not belong to any of the other religious minorities is taken to be a Hindu. British discourse shaped the terminology used in reference to Hinduism. The British in India began by asking the Indians: "Our religion is called Christianity, what is yours?" It was then decided to call India’s religion Hinduism. The British asked, "We have the Bible as our scripture, what is your scripture?" It was...
Words: 2810 - Pages: 12
...Hinduism Paper Jessica M. Thomas HUM/130 July 20, 2014 Daniel Davis Hinduism is considered the World’s oldest organized religion, it is also the third largest in the World. “It consist of thousands of different religious groups that have evolved in India since 1500 BCE. Because of the wide variety of Hindu traditions, freedom of belief and practice are notable features of Hinduism”. (Hinduism: The World’s third largest religion, 2014) The way Hinduism expresses its spiritual traditions is not by one unified religion but by supreme variations of religious paths, this allows for no central tradition but a diverse worship of deities. There has been various definitions of what Hinduism actually is and what it involves so it is important to understand what connects these various beliefs and practices in order to form the religion Hinduism. What makes up the Hindu Religion is that it is not a standard type of religion, but it is a set of religious traditions and beliefs that has evolved over time. Although the Hinduism religion is various in many ways, all of the religious groups and traditions follow certain types of beliefs and practices but also acknowledge and follow the ancient scriptures called Vedas. These sacred writings contain hymns, incantations and rituals from ancient India. “According to orthodox Hindus, the Vedas are not the work of any humans. They are considered shruti texts—those which have been revealed, rather than written by mortals. They are the breath...
Words: 932 - Pages: 4
...Compare the orthodox Hindu tradition with the heterodox traditions of Buddhism and Jainism in ancient India. Traditionally, schools of Indian philosophy are identified as orthodox or non-orthodox depending on whether they regard to the Veda as a soul source of knowledge. During the Medieval period many Hindu intellectual traditions were classified into a standard list of six orthodox schools, all of which accept the testimony of the Vedas. These schools are often coupled into three groups for both historical and conceptual reasons: Nyaya-Vaishesiki, Samkhya-Yoga, and Mimamsa-Vedanta. These systems mentioned accept the authority of Vedas and are regarded as “Orthodox” schools of Hindu Philosophy. Schools that do not accept the authority of the Vedas are categorized by Brahmins as “Unorthodox” or “Heterodox” systems for example, Jainism and Buddhism. Hindu Tradition has always privileged diversity, discovering any form of orthodoxy in Hinduism may seem to be impossible. Nevertheless, there are ideas within Hinduism that fulfill the notion of orthodoxy, such as those designated by the word astika, or assenting to the authority of the Vedas. Almost all Hindus would acknowledge the singular importance and basic religious authority. Moreover, believers would probably insist that the most important marker of orthodoxy is religious activity and interpretation approved by the local Brahman. Scholars acknowledge that some rituals are not put forward in the Vedas, cremation for example...
Words: 649 - Pages: 3
...Elements of Religious Traditions Paper Crystal Plummer REL/134 – World Religious Traditions II Wednesday, May 18, 2011 Professor Jeffery Hineline Religious Traditions A religious persons' world views a transcendent dimension to life- that there is a supernatural power beyond humans beings. Religion has different meanings to different people, it is based on how a person is swayed by the people who raised them. It could have been a experience that is traumatic which can push someone to follow a different life in terms of religion. The everyday lives of all people are made up of rituals and traditions. Christians worship God, who they believe is the creator of the entire world. Muslims who worship Mohammed, in which they believe is a prophet from God, Buddhist believe in Buddha, and Hindus believe in Brahma. This paper will explain how religious traditions describe and encourage the following relationships: with the divine, with sacred time, with sacred space or the natural world, and with each other. It will also identify key critical issues in the study of religion with specific examples on Hinduism such as their traditions and beliefs, which I am familiar with. People around the world worship something, depending on their beliefs. Relationships A spiritual relationship with God, gods, spirits, or nature in which humans have had since the dawn of time of the natural world. Humans looked at nature as something to be sacred, as well as something to be worshiped...
Words: 1123 - Pages: 5
...Hindu Religious Traditions Hinduism, a religious tradition of Indian origin, comprises the beliefs and practices of Hindus. The word Hindu is derived from the river Sindhu, or Indus. Hindu was primarily a geographical term that referred to India or to a region of India as long ago as the sixth century BC (Sharma, 2005). In most religions, beliefs and practices come first, and those who subscribe to them are considered followers. In Hindu tradition, however, the acknowledgement of Hindus came first, and their beliefs and practices constitute the contents of the religion. Hindus use the Sanskrit term Sanatana Dharma, which is often translated into English as eternal tradition or eternal religion (Fisher, 2002). The word Dharma also has many other meanings in Sanskrit, the sacred language of Hindu scripture, including moral order, duty, and right action. Dharma is a very important concept for Hindus. In addition to tradition and moral order, it also signifies the path of knowledge Is this essay helpful? Join OPPapers to read more and access more than 600,000 just like it! get better grades and correct action. Because of Hinduism's emphasis on living in accordance with Dharma, anyone who is striving for spiritual knowledge and seeking the right course of ethical action is, in the broadest sense, a follower of Sanatana Dharma. The Hindu tradition encourages Hindus to seek spiritual and moral truth wherever it might be found, while acknowledging that no creed can contain such truth...
Words: 337 - Pages: 2
...Hinduism Hinduism is the world’s third largest religion and was originated in the Indian subcontinent. Is rare that a big religion like Hinduism don’t have a single founder, religious organization, specific theological system and don’t even a system of morality, but it is a religion that has evolved over thousands of years. Hinduism has a diverse body of cultural and philosophical practices. Hinduism consists of belief and tradition. The most recognized belief and traditions of the Hinduism are Karma, Dharma, Samsara and Moshka. Hindu people don’t believe in violence, but they do believe in prayers, honesty, truth, austerity, celibacy and penance. The Hindu scriptures are collectively referred to as the Shashtras. The Hindu scriptures were initially passed on orally from generation to generation until finally ancient scholars wrote them down; mainly in the Sanskrit language that was the prevailing language of the time. Some of the Hindu scriptures are the Shruti and Smritis. The Shruti primarily refers to the Vedas which represent eternal truths revealed to ancient sages but some other Hindu individuals associated the Vedas with a God or a powerful person. The Smritis are all of the other text different than the Shruti. The most know of the Smritis are the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. Although the Hindus worship a large pantheon of Gods and Goddesses, they believe in the one Supreme Power that manifests itself in various forms. There are many cultural and societal influences...
Words: 710 - Pages: 3
...Elements of Religious Traditions Paper Religion is a set of believes that people have concerning the worship of the creator of the universe whom people address as their personal God or gods. Some says it is an association to put across belief in a divine power. Religion could also be a belief concerning the scared, divine, and supernatural practices. People have their own meaning of religion depending on their personal believes. Saying that this essay trends to elaborate on explaining how religious traditions describe and encourage the relationships with the divine, with sacred time, with sacred space or the natural world, and with each other. This paper will also point out some critical issues in the study of religion with specific examples from my own Hindu religion. Relationship with divine is a very restricted role with little opportunity for spiritual maturity or personal empowerment. A child has to value and pay attention to their parents and obey the rules and regulation set by the them. Scared time is usually the day of special prayer according to religious calendar, days of fasting, or just a day person takes out to dedicate to the god. This helps the family members to get together on a precise day and pray together have a little family bonding where people can moralize from their sacred books. This will help learn about the religion and devotion to the lord. Most Hindu people consider Monday, Tuesday, and Friday their scared time. On these days, they do not eat...
Words: 486 - Pages: 2
...8, 2014 Introduction to World Religions My Religion Paper Hinduism The religion Hinduism began in India. Some of the characteristics of this religion are that Hinduism does not have founder, religious organizations, specific theological system, and do not have a system of morality, but this religion has evolved over thousands of years. Hindus believe in many gods and goddesses, but they also believe in the one Supreme God that manifests itself in various forms. Hinduism consists of beliefs and traditions. The most recognized belief and traditions of the Hinduism are Karma, Dharma, Samsara and Moksha. Hindu people don’t believe in violence, but they do believe in prayers, honesty, truth, austerity, celibacy and penance. Hinduism is considered one of the oldest religions in the world. Hinduism seems to be the product of the melding of two religious and cultural influences. One was the Indus Valley Civilization that was located in what is today Northwest India and Eastern Pakistan, and the Aryan culture. The warm climate in India allows people to live outdoors much of the time. This climate has helped to promote religious values. Although hot and dry in many parts, India has many rivers and streams which the most important is the Ganges. This river is so important to the Hindu Religion. Some Hindus believe life is incomplete without bathing in the Ganga at least once in one's lifetime.(Library) Hinduism is different from Christian theology in respect to the fact that we...
Words: 899 - Pages: 4
...Elements of Religious Rona Williams REL/133 May 26, 2014 Elements of Religious Religion is significant to many who believe in the bible and so are all of their religious traditions. In describing the basic components of religious traditions and their relationship to the sacred. It offers many seculars a reason for wanting to live and a comfort of security, The knowledge or awareness’s is the driving force behind the belief of one God a higher power and for some the sacred. I will include what a religious tradition says including its teachings, texts, doctrine, stories, myths, and others, What a religious tradition does including worship, prayer, pilgrimage, ritual, and so forth, and how a religious tradition organizes including leadership, relationships among members, and so forth. Christianity and its teachings was organized Religious tradition is a custom that people of one religion do because it was done for many years by supernatural beings or idols. These traditions are different for each different religion. In studying each religion, it is noted that each has texts, stories, myths, and other traditional aspects that permits others or bible believers read about the traditions of that religion. The Hindu religion is known to be the hardest religion to study and many other texts that tell the stories of the lives of certain high gods, goddesses, and/or heroes. It also explains why we must celebrate certain holidays and how we should celebrate them. Most of...
Words: 939 - Pages: 4
...Harris Hinduism Paper In this paper the subject is the religion of Hinduism. In this paper the subjects to explain are the makeup of the Hindu religion, what the cultural and societal influences that have made Hinduism vital to the region in which it originated are and finally will explain the desire for liberation from earthly existence. The Hindu Religion “Hinduism is the oldest religion on the planet. Hinduism is actually known as the Sanatana Dharma or Eternal Truth. The uniting belief systems of Hinduism, and there are many, include the conviction that Truth is knowable and can be directly experienced” (Rood, 1995-2011). The Hindu religion has two core values. The first core value is the “doctrine of karma. Karma states that every thought and action results in certain consequences born by the actor or thinker. If a person lies or steals, he will be wronged in some way in the future. Most Hindus believe that though his/her present is determined by his/her past, nonetheless we can influence our future by conducting ourselves in a proper manner in the present” (Rood, 1995-2011, p.1). The modern day member of the Christianity faith may see some similarity between the karma and the verse in Galatians 6:7 which whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. Hinduism has a strong sense of morality. The Hindu religion teaches non-violence. Another belief of Hinduism is the passage of a dead person’s soul into another body at or after death. Cultural...
Words: 894 - Pages: 4
...Week #3 Checkpoint Hinduism Essay Considering the Hinduism lacks a unified belief system, what makes up the Hindu religion? What are the cultural and societal influences that have made Hinduism vital to the region in which it originated? Explain the desire for liberation from earthly existence. From the standpoint of the outsider, comprehending the attributes and the many facets of the Hindu culture may seem difficult and cumbersome. I believe one of the reasons lies within the fact that in the traditional sense of organized religions, one of which is united under a particular belief system. Hinduism is not applicable in such a regard, however over 80 percent of those making up the population of India consider themselves Hindu. In “Hinduism, with mind absorbed and heart melted in love”, Fisher defines the original usage of the term”Hinduism” as a means of categorizing several Indian religious ways which could not be classed under any of the existing unified religious systems within the region of the Indus River. This nomenclature was introduced in the 19th century for the purpose of census-taking, Sanatana Dharma is the term more preferably used today in describing the devout people of the region, and when translated, carries a meaning which suggests an eternal or ageless way of life (Fisher, pg. 69). The term further conveys a tone of profound insight in that the historical development of the religion is not directly traceable. Fisher observes, however, that although no...
Words: 1183 - Pages: 5
...different beliefs, customs, and traditions, which helps each maintain their historical traditions. The dharmic traditions that are found in India are all a mixture to some degree of each other. Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism have all shared characteristics between one another. Hinduism is at its core monotheistic, although the Supreme God or Brahman may be worshipped in many different forms. Hindus believe in one Supreme Being who created the earth. India has a long history and many varieties of religion have developed over time. There are some unified religions like Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism. The various other religions have been grouped together and labeled as “Hinduism” like they are a single religious practice. This grouping and categorization of Indian religions was began by the Colonial British during their rule in the nineteenth century (Fisher, 2014). There is much debate surrounding the classification and labeling of Indian religions by non-Indian people. The argument is made that these outside people use their own religious concepts and ideas as means to judge, understand, and label these religions. There is also concern that many of the people who have done the labeling and analyzing of the Indian religions were and are biased against the Indian culture. Many argue that grouping many religious practices together and labeling them is misleading and a misrepresentation of what they actually are. The Hindu word “dharma” is usually just...
Words: 883 - Pages: 4
...The Hindu religion disputably began around 2500 years before the Common Era (B.C.E.) in India. It was geographically located along the Indus River, which was called “Hindu” by the Persians who had migrated there. They also called the land Hindustan and its inhabitants, Hindus. After that, the religion that followed was called Hinduism. Today, almost 800 million people practice the Hindu religion. The main deities of the Hindu religion are Brahma and his two deputies named Shiva and Vishnu. The god Vishnu is the creator, and Shiva is the destroyer. One is not looked upon as better than the other. These are not the only gods in Hindu culture. There are many others and all have special skills and talents. The gods themselves also give birth to the idea of avatars, or the form of god when he or she comes to earth. The idealism of the Hindu religion comes from the Vedas, which are the Hindu religion's oldest scriptures and are considered to be a direct revelation from God. The Upanishads are writings that take their themes from the Vedas. Lastly, the Bhagavad-Gita is a collection of teachings that are based on the conversation between Arjuna, a soldier, and Lord Krishna who is the mortal reincarnation of Lord Vishnu. He appears as Arjuna's charioteer. In these conversations the two discuss everything from the purpose of life to the basis of reality. Much like Christian proverbs, the teachings of Lord Krishna give advice, general good sense and insight on many subjects. Perhaps the...
Words: 2091 - Pages: 9
...uneducated one of them all. From cultural traditions to religious beliefs, we plan and arrange the Wedding Event with the hope of a lifetime of successes. In everyday life we attend social gatherings with friends, family, and colleagues, humoring each other and making statements, “Let’s arrange the marriage now!” We find it humorous as we share innuendos of our perceptions and opinions. We quietly desire the perfect love story for our children wishing the selfish desire to play cupid and arrange the picture perfect union of our sons and daughters. As a society we think we know what is best for our children. Lucky, for the American culture of kids and young adults we are simple and a lot more liberal in the marrying arena. Children and young adults in America are not subjected to the traditions and religious beliefs tied to marriage decisions that such families and youth are victims to in foreign countries. India is a big partaker of both arranged marriages and forced marriages backed by cultural tradition and religious beliefs. Should foreign Cultures be allowed to arrange and force marriage because of cultural and religious beliefs? Is Culture and Tradition enough to pre-arrange marriages, and force under aged girls to marry based on family and cultural tradition? Should the government provide civil protection and intervene in the personal choices made my intimate family decisions based on culture and tradition? Over time the traditions and...
Words: 2418 - Pages: 10
