Hinduism: Core Beliefs

Overview of Hinduism

• Hinduism is among the world's oldest religions, with some ideas and practices dating back over 3,000 years.
• It has evolved, with followers integrating new ideas with older traditions.
• More than 1 billion people practice Hinduism globally, predominantly in India, where the religion originated.

Core Beliefs

• Hinduism lacks a single founder or central authority and has no set list of beliefs for all followers.
• Most Hindus respect the Vedas, while others prioritize later texts like the Bhagavad Gita, Bhagavata Purana, and Ramayana.
• Many Hindus view Hinduism as a way of life rather than strictly a religion.
• The spiritual power called brahman is believed to be the source of existence, present everywhere.
• Atman, the human soul, is considered part of the universal brahman.
• Reincarnation is a central belief, with the atman reborn in different bodies after death based on karma.
• The cycle of rebirth is known as samsara, and liberation from this cycle is considered a primary life goal.
• The four main aims of life in Hinduism include dharma (righteousness), artha (worldly success), kama (enjoyment), and breaking free from samsara.
• Three paths to liberation includes action, knowledge, and devotion.
• Hindus worship numerous gods and goddesses, each with their own stories and significance.
• Vishnu is the protector and preserver of life, with popular avatars including Krishna and Rama.
• Shiva represents both the creation and destruction of life forces.
• Shakti is the supreme goddess, capable of being both helpful and fierce.
• Ganesha, the elephant-headed god, is worshiped as the remover of obstacles.
• Sarasvati is the goddess of learning and music, often revered by students.
• Lakshmi, the wife of Vishnu, is the goddess of wealth.
• Vaishnavas are followers of Vishnu, Shaivas worship Shiva, and Shaktas follow Shakti.

Practices

• Puja is a form of worship where Hindus invite a god into their home or temple, treating the god as a guest.
• Worship involves offering food, water, incense, and flowers to a murti, an image of the god.
• The murti serves as a focal point for devotion, enabling devotees to connect with the divine.
• Hindus can worship at home or in temples, where priests perform archana.
• Archana involves chanting mantras, usually in Sanskrit.
• Pilgrimages to holy sites, especially along the Ganges River, are common.
• Many Hindus practice vegetarianism, valuing ahimsa, or nonviolence.
• Cow is considered a sacred animal
• The caste system, a form of social organization, has historically influenced social roles and marriage, while some Hindus renounce society to focus on meditation and yoga.
• Modern yoga is practiced as a form of exercise.

Festivals

• Hindu festivals occur throughout the year and can last for several days.
• Diwali, the "row of lights," is celebrated with gift exchanges, meals, and fireworks, honoring Lakshmi and Rama.
• Holi is a spring festival with colored water and the reversal of traditional roles.
• Navratri, a nine-day festival in early autumn, celebrates Durga, Lakshmi, and Sarasvati, often concluding with Dussehra.
• Dussehra commemorates Rama's victory over Ravana from the Ramayana.
• Makar Sankranti and Pongal are harvest festivals celebrated in North and South India, respectively, in January.

History

• Around 1500 bce, people from Iran composed the Vedas in Sanskrit, developing Vedism with sacrifices to the gods.
• Vedism evolved into Hinduism through the integration of various influences and ideas.
• From the 100s bce to the 300s ce, older Vedic gods were replaced by newer ones, leading to the development of Vishnu, Shiva, and Shakti worship.
• Temple construction began by the 600s ce, and the bhakti tradition emerged in South India, expressed through poems in local languages.
• Muslims moved into northern India in the 1000s, influencing Hinduism.
• In the early 1800s, Great Britain colonized India, leading to a Hindu revival and criticism of traditional elements like the caste system.
• Ram Mohun Roy spoke out against the caste system.
• Mahatma Gandhi promoted ahimsa in politics and led nonviolent movements for independence.
• In 1947, British India split into India and Pakistan, resulting in Hindu-Muslim conflicts and mass migrations.
• Hindus have since migrated globally, establishing communities and temples in various countries.