Hinduism

Hinduism

Ashley Kidd

Hinduism

Hinduism differs from Christianity and other Western religions in that it does not have a single founder, a specific theological system, a single system of morality, or a central religious organization. With such a lack of uniting belief system it still is not easy for outside cultural and societal influences that have make Hinduism vital to the region in which it originated. Even through this connection to things earthly are not admired at all due to the fact that the desire for liberation from earthly existence is the highest belief in Hinduism. With all these aspects of Hinduism explained over the next few paragraphs one may want to begin studying the unique but strong religion.

Hinduism cannot be described as an organized religion. Hinduism is not founded by any individual. Hinduism is God centered and therefore one can call Hinduism as founded by God, because the answer to the question �Who is behind the eternal principles, and who makes them work?’ will have to be �Cosmic power, Divine power, God’ With no distinct founder the answer to when Hinduism began cannot be answered with an exact date just that Hinduism is God centered. Other religions are prophet centered. Hinduism is based upon Eternal Principles. Eternal principles apply to all human beings everywhere. The laws of physics exist and work all the time. The healing principle will get to work immediately the moment a little cut is sustained on a finger. No one can tell when this healing principle began or when it will end. Believers of Hinduism is their existing eternally, all pervading (available everywhere), omniscient (aware all the time and therefore healing principle gets to work when injury is sustained). (These simplified examples serve to understand God’s power: omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent).

“At the heart of Hinduism is the pantheistic principle of Brahman that all reality is a unity. The entire universe is one divine entity who is simultaneously at one with the universe, and who transcends it as well. Deity is simultaneously visualized as a triad: Brahma the Creator who is continuing to create new realities Vishnu, (Krishna) the Preserver, who preserves these new creations. Whenever dharma (eternal order, righteousness, religion, law and duty) is threatened, Vishnu travels from heaven to earth in one of ten incarnations. Siva, the Destroyer, is at times compassionate, erotic and destructive. Most Hindus follow one of two major divisions within Hinduism:

• Vaishnavaism: generally regard Vishnu as the ultimate deity Shivaism: generally regard Shiva as the ultimate deity.

• Simultaneously, many hundreds of Hindu Gods and Goddesses are worshipped as various aspects of that unity. Depending upon ones view, Hinduism can be looked upon as a monotheistic or polytheistic religion.” (Oracle Thinkquest)

Outside cultural and societal influences that have make Hinduism vital to the region in which it originated is based on the “The Rigveda defined five social castes. Ones caste determined the range of jobs or professions from which one could choose. Marriages normally took place within the same caste. One normally was of the same caste as one's parents. In decreasing status, the five castes are: Brahmins (the priests and academics) Kshatriyas (the military), Vaishyas