Exploring Hindu Religion

In this paper I will be discussing how Hinduism was originally developed, what their beliefs are, and the spread of Hinduism today. Overall Geography played a huge role in the development and spreading of this religion and

Hinduism is one of the main religions in South Asia that focuses on one’s soul and eternity of themselves. This religion has shaped into a patriarchal society in India with a caste system that affected gender. In addition, Hinduism has impacted some of the aspects in United States politics. As the Aryans brought this religion to India around 1500 BC, its system and practices spread and evolved around the world into a primary belief. Hinduism has impacted the world socially, politically and even economically.

Hinduism, the world’s oldest religion, is the third largest religion in the world after Islam and Christianity with close to one billion followers. The followers of the religion are called Hindus and are mainly located in India, and their place of worship is a temple. The religion doesn’t have any one specific founder, however,

First, I would like to introduce the religion of Hinduism. The term Hinduism was derived a river of South Asia, the Indus. This term was used by the ancient Persians to classify the people of that region of the North-West territory of the subcontinent. Indian religion, Hinduism, was the term given by the British in the nineteenth century to the population of India that were neither Muslim or Christian.

Since the beginning of civilization many religions and cultures have come and gone. One of the few that has stood the test of time is Hinduism. Hinduisms base flourishes from the practical view of human life, belief in eternal truth and it’s ability to make small adaptations to it without compromising its core values. Hinduism is the oldest known religion in the world and also the third largest in the world. Most of its one billion followers live in India, Nepal and Sri Lanka. Even with its immense amount of followers and lengthy existence, many non followers are unaware of its history, beliefs, and practices.

Hinduism is a very broad term that encompasses a multitude of different backgrounds, traditions, beliefs, and practices. Hinduism, as we know it today, has gone through many changes. To fully understand how Hinduism became as it is currently, knowledge of its development over the course of history is essential. This paper will demonstrate the primary shifts of its central beliefs, practices, and goals between periods of Early Vedic, Late Vedic, and Classical Hinduism.

Before I read Stephen Prothero’s God Is Not One, I did not know much about Hinduism. For me, Hinduism conjured the images of bright colors, richly adorned statues, and jovial worship and dance. When we visited the Ganesh Temple in Flushing, that is exactly what I saw. Yet, now I know the reason for all these things. Although Hinduism is a largely varying tradition, it is namely about love and celebration. Given the evidence from Prothero’s book and my observations at the Ganesh Temple, Hinduism is a tradition that aims to gives purpose to human’s wandering souls through devote worship to deities and rituals.

There are many religions in India that share common similarities and differences. However, there are two religions in Northern India that stand out from them all. There are many ways to compare the similarities and differences between the Hindu and Buddhist religions of the Indus River Valley civilization.

The Hindu Faith is an indigenous theology and philosophy of India spanning thousands of years. Reincarnation is the center of the Faith, the teaching that all things become unified through living many lives. After each cycle of life, karma decides which caste or level of life a person will next experience. Lying, cheating scumbags, who were greedy and did not assist the poor could be reincarnated upon death into a life of poverty and illness. With a little hope, such a soul would learn a valuable lesson and the next time around would be a bit more comfortable. Some Hindus also believe that a human can be reincarnated as an animal. Whether that is karma from a good or bad previous life, one can only guess.

After reading this chapter, I have a much better understanding of Hindu religion. First of all, contrary to what most people believe, Hinduism isn’t polytheistic by having many gods, it’s actually henotheistic because they believe in one ultimate god that consists of everything. However, there are many different manifestations of Brahmin that people worship, many of which even have their own names and identities. Like many other religions, Hinduism came into being through the blending of cultures and religions over time. Our textbook speculates that it was likely the Aryans who were the original group whose religion created the basis of Hinduism. The Aryans were an important group of people who spoke an early form of Sanskirt and migrated

Hinduism is one of the oldest and detailed religions in the world. It is highly concentrated in south and southeastern Asia, more specifically in India. India is the origin country of Hinduism and in this essay more information will be revealed as to how it is a more evolved indigenous religion. I will also be discussing how Hinduism helps one attain a higher form of consciousness through yoga, meditation, and more. Then lastly, I will review the conflict between India and Pakistan and how fundamental Hinduism plays a role.

Hinduism is the third largest religion in the world, followed by Islam and Christianity. It has been called the “oldest religion” and is referred to as the “eternal way” beyond human origins. Hinduism represents the way of life and faith of the many people in India. It is unknown as to how it came about, and where Hinduism was originated, but the beliefs of the Hindu 's is very different than the beliefs of the Christians and Islam. Hinduism is the belief in reincarnation, dharma and in three main gods.

deities is after the morning bath or after one has washed in the evening. Typically, a small oil lamp and a smoldering stick of incense are waved in a circle before the deities' images. If the devotee or family has a guru, a picture of him or her is usually part of the shrine. senses. Siva-lingams may be anointed with precious substances, such as ghee (clarified butter), honey, or sandalwood paste, with offerings of rose water and flowers. In a temple, devotees may have the great blessing of receiving darsan (visual contact with the divine) through the eyes of the images. One hears the sounds of mantras and ringing bells. Incense and flowers fill the area with uplifting fragrances. Prasad, food that has been sanctified by being offered to the deities and/or one's guru, is passed around to be eaten by devotees, who experience it as sacred and spiritually charged. (Living Religions)

There is an estimated 850 million Hindus throughout the world. This population accounts for about thirteen percent of the world’s population (Halverson, 2004). With this enormous population, it is highly likely that one will come in contact with a Hindu at some point in their life. With that said, it is extremely important to understand their worldview.

Hinduism is a religion of religions; it is one of the first as we know it. It isn't just a religion however, it is a way of life. A culture that India has been known for having. I have discovered that Hinduism is so much more than a religion or a culture. As a matter of fact it is a way of being; a way of life. Hinduism has been a journey for me and it all came alive through the need to write this paper.