Hinduism Religion Research Paper
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Hinduism is a religious tradition[1] that originated in the Indian subcontinent. Hinduism is often referred to as SanДЃtana Dharma (Ðo¤ÑÐo¤ÐÐo¤Ñ*Ðo¤¤Ðo¤Ð Ðo¤§Ðo¤oÐoÒÐŒÐo¤®) by its practitioners, a Sanskrit phrase meaning “the eternal path” or “the eternal law”.[2]
Hinduism is the worlds oldest major religion that is still practiced.[3] Its earliest origins can be traced to the ancient Vedic civilization.[4] A conglomerate of diverse beliefs and traditions, Hinduism has no single founder.[5][6] It is the worlds third largest religion following Christianity and Islam, with approximately a billion adherents, of whom about 905 million live in India and Nepal.[7] Other countries with large Hindu populations include Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Mauritius, Fiji, Suriname, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom and Canada.
Hinduism contains a vast body of scriptures. Divided as Ð*Ñ™ruti (revealed) and Smriti (remembered) and developed over millennia, these scriptures expound on theology, philosophy and mythology, and provide spiritual insights and guidance on the practice of dharma (religious living). In the orthodox view, among such texts, the Vedas and the Upanishads are the foremost in authority, importance and antiquity. Other major scriptures include the Tantras, the sectarian Agamas, the PurДЃбâ„-‡as and the epics MahДЃbhДЃrata and RДЃmДЃyaбâ„-‡a. The Bhagavad GД«tДЃ, a treatise excerpted from the MahДЃbhДЃrata, is sometimes called a summary of the spiritual teachings of the Vedas.[8]
Contents [hide]
1 Etymology
2 Beliefs
2.1 Concept of God
2.2 Devas and avatars
2.3 Karma and samsara
2.4 The goals of life
2.5 Yoga
3 History
4 Scriptures and theology
5 Practices
6 Rituals
7 Pilgrimage and festivals
8 Society
8.1 Denominations
8.2 Ashramas
8.3 Monasticism
8.4 Varnas and the caste system
8.5 Ahimsa and vegetarianism
8.6 Conversion
9 See also
10 Notes
11 References
12 Further reading
13 External links
Etymology
The Persian term HindÐ*« is derived from Sindhu, Sanskrit for the Indus River.[9] The Rig Veda mentions the land of the Indo-Aryans as Sapta Sindhu (the land of the seven rivers in northwestern South Asia, one of them being the Indus). This corresponds to Hapta HЙ™ndu in the Avesta (Vendidad or Videvdad: Fargard 1.18)—the sacred scripture of Zoroastrianism. The term was used for those who lived in the Indian subcontinent on or beyond the “Sindhu”.[10]
Beliefs
Temple carving at Hoysaleswara temple representing the Trimurti: Brahma, Shiva and Vishnu.Hinduism is an extremely diverse religion. Although some tenets of the faith are accepted by most Hindus, scholars have found it difficult to identify any doctrines with universal acceptance among all denominations.[11] Prominent themes in Hindu beliefs include Dharma (ethics/duties), SamsДЃra (The continuing cycle of birth, life, death and rebirth), Karma (action and subsequent reaction), Moksha (liberation from samsara), and the various Yogas (paths or practices).
Concept of God
Hinduism is a diverse system of thought with beliefs spanning monotheism, polytheism,[12] panentheism, pantheism, monism and atheism. It is sometimes referred to as henotheistic (devotion to a single God while accepting the existence of other gods), but any such term is an oversimplification of the complexities and variations of belief.[13]
Most Hindus believe that the spirit or soul—the true “self” of every person, called the ДЃtman—is eternal.[14] According to the monistic/pantheistic theologies of Hinduism (such as Advaita Vedanta school), this Atman is ultimately indistinct from Brahman, the supreme spirit. Brahman is described as “The One Without a Second;” hence these schools are called “non-dualist.”[15] The goal of life according to the Advaita school is to realize that ones ДЃtman is identical to Brahman, the supreme soul.[16] The Upanishads state that whoever becomes fully aware of the ДЃtman as the innermost core of ones own self, realizes their identity with Brahman and thereby reaches Moksha (liberation or freedom).[14][17]
Other dualistic schools (see Dvaita and Bhakti) understand Brahman as a Supreme Being who possesses personality and worship Him or Her thus, as Vishnu, Brahma, Shiva or Shakti depending on the sect. The ДЃtman is dependent on God while Moksha depends on love towards God and on Gods grace.[18] When God is viewed as the supreme personal being (rather than as the infinite principle) God is called Ishvara (“The Lord”[19]), Bhagavan (“The Auspicious One”[19]), or Parameshwara (“The Supreme Lord”[19]).[15] However, interpretations of Ishvara vary—ranging from non-belief such as followers of Mimamsakas, in Ishvara to identifying Brahman and Ishvara as one as in Advaita.[15][20] There are also schools like the Samkhya which have atheistic leanings.[21]
Devas and avatars
Krishna (left), the eighth incarnation (avatar) of Vishnu, with his consort RadhaThe Hindu scriptures refer to celestial entities, called Devas (or devД« in feminine form; devatДЃ used synonymously for Deva in Hindi), “the shining ones”, which may be translated into English as “gods” or “heavenly beings”.[22] The devas