Hindu Religious Traditions

Hindu Religious Traditions

Hinduism, the oldest Dharmic religion, originated from the ancient Vedic traditions and other indigenous beliefs of Central Asia, which date as far back as 8000 BCE. Collectively these beliefs have been incorporated together into a popular, yet still diverse, religion. Many Hindus do not claim to belong to any particular denomination; however, theologians categorize modern Hinduism into four major denominations: Vaishnavism, Shaivism, Shaktism, and Smartism depending on their deity(s) and the traditions that accompany their beliefs. Despite their differences, all of the denominations share the prominent themes of Dharma, Samsāra (rebirth), Karma (right action), and Moksha (liberation from the cycle of samsara). Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism also share traits with Hinduism, because they originated in Central Asia, as well, and focus on self-improvement with the general aim of attaining personal (first hand) spiritual experiences. They, along with the various Hindu sects, are collectively known as Dharmic religions. (Wikipedia, 2007)

Dharma

Hindus primarily believe in the Dharma, which translates to "religion", but its real meaning encompasses matters of duty, natural law, social welfare, ethics, health, and transcendental realization. Dharma is thus a holistic approach to social coherence and the good of all, corresponding to order in the cosmos. (Fisher, 2002) Hindu social structure is broken down into groups called varnas, or castes. The castes, which are typically based on lineage, can roughly be defined in the following order: priests (Brahmans), warriors, businessmen (landowners, merchants, herders, etc), commoners (servants & peasants), and the untouchables. The Upanishads, Vedas, Smritis, Puranas, and the Tantras are the basic scriptures, codes, and teachings of Hinduism. Hindus, primarily, believe in one supreme god called Brahman, although this is a gross over-simplification. Most forms of Hinduism are henotheistic religions. They recognize a single deity, and view other Devas and Devis (Gods and Goddesses) as manifestations or aspects of that supreme God. Henotheistic and polytheistic religions have traditionally been among the world's most religiously tolerant faiths, and Hinduism is no different. (Religious Tolerance, 2007)

Karma

The "Law of Karma" is central to many Dharmic religions, including Hinduism. Karma relates to the cycle of cause and effect of all that an individual has done, is currently doing and will do. Karma is not about retribution, vengeance, punishment or reward, it simply deals with what is. Because karma can be mitigated by other actions, it makes each person responsible for their own life, and the effect it has on others.

Hindu scriptures divide Karma into three kinds: Sanchita (accumulated), Prarabdha (fruit-bearing) and Kriyamana (current) karma. All kriyamana karmas become sanchita karma upon completion. From this stock of sanchita karma, a handful is taken out to serve one lifetime and this handful of actions which has begun to bear fruit and which will be exhausted only on their fruit being enjoyed and not otherwise, is known as prarabdha karma. In this way, so long as the stock of sanchita karma lasts, a part of it continues to be taken out as prarabdha karma for being enjoyed in one lifetime, leading to the cycle of birth and death. A jiva cannot attain Moksha until the accumulated sanchita karmas are not completely exhausted. (Karma Wiki, 2007)

Samsāra

Hindus, as well as many other Dharmic religions, believe that everything in the universe is in the state of creation, maintenance or destruction. They call this ongoing cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, Samsara. The word Samsara literally means "to flow together," to go or pass through states, to wander. Many Hindus often compare the cycle of samsara to a great revolving door. In some types of Hinduism, Samsara is said to be an ignorance of the True Self, Brahman, and thus the soul is led to believe in the reality of the temporal, phenomenal world. This ignorance of one's true self is said to lead to the ego-consciousness of the body and the phenomenal world, which grounds one in desire and the perpetual chain of karma and reincarnation, which Hindus call Maya. (Samsara Wiki, 2007)

Moksha

The primary focus of Hindu action is to end the cycle of Samsara. Hindus typically call this liberation Moksha, although it is also referred to as mahasamadhi, mukti, and nirvana. The actual state of salvation varies, depending on one's beliefs, but the general concept is that a person's soul is formless, beyond any sense of tangibility and comprehension. In Hinduism, realization of one's true self (atma siddhi) is the key to obtaining Moksha. Once a person