Hinduism: The Multiple Forms Of Hinduism

Hinduism is a polytheistic religion that is very much a part of the people in India and Nepal. It has over 900 million followers worldwide and it is considered one of the oldest religions in the world, dating back many thousands of years. This religion is split into many different branches because of their belief in many gods and goddesses. Each branch worships a different god that they view as “supreme above all others.” Granted that they had a great leader, Mahatma Gandhi, they were able to change the world, and more specifically the United States. His philosophical ideas inspired our country to fight for equality. But in order to understand this better, it is important to have a deeper understanding of the Hinduism beliefs.

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.

Hinduism says that the Lord Brahma is creator of the universe, while the other two gods are part of the triumvirate. The worldview of the Hindu belief is that there are multiple gods. One god, Brahma created the universe, another, Vishnu is the sustainer of creation, and Shiva is the destroyer of life. In contrast, Christianity worldview is there is one triune God, God the Father, God the Son, God

Those who are raised within one religious tradition may find it difficult to understand the traditions of another religion. It is not until one is educated in the basics of the other major world religions, that it is possible to see the many similarities between them. Just as there are many similarities between the countries culturally, the major religions share more things than they are different. In viewing Hinduism, Buddhism, and Sikhism with an open mind, it is easy to see the differences, similarities and ideals that make these religions as widespread as they are.

Hinduism is a religion that is difficult to define. No one can say who the founder is, or connect it to a certain place or time. So in order to understand Hinduism, we follow a coherent set of assumptions upon which people base their lives; otherwise defined as the Indian Worldview.

There are numerous gods in Hinduism, in which the most important ones including the Creator Brahma, the Preserver Vishnu and the Destroyer Siva. Brahma created the earth, the mortal world and the heaven, Vishnu safeguards the world and preserves the order and peace in

Many will argue that Hinduism is polytheistic because there are these gods, goddesses and avatars that are prayed to and worshiped. Hindus would normally have a shrine with a specific god or goddesses that they worship to daily or when they feel is needed to at their homes. Hindus will also go to a Hindu temple and pray to completely different gods and goddesses.

Hinduism is a religion that is seen as having many different gods in their beliefs. It has been a debate whether or not the religion is monotheistic or polytheistic. It is true that they worship other gods such as Indra the god of air, Shiva and Brahma. These are all gods in which the religion worship in many different ways. However Hinduism has the belief that it is a monotheistic religion because of the belief of Brahman-Atman.

Both of the religions Hinduism and Judaism are similar but different in their own ways. Hinduism worships many gods and goddesses, whereas Judaism is a confirmedly monotheistic religion. In the Hinduism religion the bedrock is the belief that the Vedas is sacred and the caste system decribed in it. “Hinduism is a guide to life, and the goal of which is to reach union with Brahman, the unchanging ultimate reality”(75). The dharma or moral law that need to be followed. There are many gods that were worshiped and each person may worship a different god. Images of the gods in homes or temples were presented where each person can show devotion to their personal gods by singing hymns or offering flowers before the images. The Hindus believe in many things such as that the universe undergoes and endless cycle of creation, believe in karma, that the soul reincarnates, the belief that all life is sacred.

Hinduism from a monotheistic perspective contains many into one, just as Christianity does in relation to God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Although, the difference is Christianity is defiantly categorizes as a monotheistic and Hinduism as a polytheistic. My answer to this is in a way there both polytheistic, both in there commonality of worshiping different forms of the same source. Yes there the same source but then again there not, there parts that make up one great thought of higher power. Monotheism is simply the belief in one God, taking this into context if we were to categorize Hinduism as a monotheistic religion we would need to redefine monotheism. People also worship different gods and goddesses which may depend on the geographical

Unlike Islam and Christianity who are monotheistic in that they believe in one Allah and God respectively.

Supporting a view of Hinduism as a polytheistic religion is the great pantheon of Hindu gods. Devotion to these deities is based primarily on one 's region and needs, even when devotion is given to only one or more, the existence of the others is known.

Judaism as well as its offshoot and formation into the Christian religion both place great emphasis on the notion of their monotheistic God as revealed in the early scriptures. To them God has revealed Himself as the one Lord of all. Evident in the first Commandment that was

In contrast to majority of devout religions, Hinduism participates in the worship of many gods – thus making it a polytheistic religion consisting of a Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. The Brahma is the The Creator, and a member of the Hindu Trinity. Brahma intimately creates everything in the universe. In addition, Vishnu maintains the balance and harmony of the universe. Last but not least, Shiva perpetually destroys the universe: “it’s the necessary step to make renewal possible” (Hindu Gods and

Hinduism and Islam are two largely practiced religions, specifically in India and the subcontinents. Both Hinduism and Islam have unique practices and traditions, which can vary depending on the town, region or people. They share a common belief in a supreme god, that being either Brahma or Allah respectively. The traditions differ on the central texts used, as well as differences in the process of reaching the afterlife and basic beliefs.