HINDUISM

Definition The term 'Hindu' itself probably does not go back before the 15th and 16th centuries when it was used by people to differentiate themselves from followers of other traditions. The 'ism' was added to 'Hindu' only in the 19th century in the context of British colonialism and missionary activity.

Hinduism is the religion of the majority of people in India and Nepal Hinduism is the religion of the majority of people in India and Nepal. It also exists among significant populations outside of the sub continent and has over 900 million adherents worldwide which makes it the world's third largest religion

Unlike most other religions, Hinduism has no single founder, no single scripture, and no commonly agreed set of teachings. Throughout its extensive history, there have been many key figures teaching different philosophies and writing numerous holy books. For these reasons, writers often refer to Hinduism as 'a way of life' or 'a family of religions' rather than a single religion. Hindu devotees participate in a candlelight prayer during the ritual known as Aarti , within the Navratri Festival , in the city of Ahmedabad in western India.

Although it is not easy to define Hinduism, we can say that it is rooted in India, most Hindus revere a body of texts as sacred scripture known as the Veda, and most Hindus draw on a common system of values known as dharma.

Hindu scriptures The Two types of sacred writings comprise the Hindu scriptures: "Shruti" (heard) and "Smriti" (memorized). They were passed on from generation to generation orally for centuries before they were written down mostly in the Sanskrit language.  The basic scriptures of Hinduism, which is collectively referred to as "Shastras", are essentially a collection of spiritual laws discovered by different saints and sages at different points in its long history….  The major and most popular Hindu texts include the Bhagavad Gita, the Upanishads, and the epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata.

Sacred texts The primary sacred texts of Hinduism are the Vedas: the Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda and Atharva Veda. Hindus believe that the Vedas texts were received by scholars direct from God and passed on to the next generations by word of mouth. The Vedas contain hymns, incantations, and rituals from ancient India. 4 The Rig Veda (a.k.a. Rigveda) may be the oldest of the four. Estimates of its date of composition in oral form range from 1500 BCE to 4000 BCE. The Yajur and Atharva Vedas refer to the vernal equinox having occurred in the Pleiades constellation -- an event dating to about 2500 BCE. 

The Aranyakas concern worship and meditation. The Samhitas are the most ancient part of the Vedas, consisting of hymns of praise to God. The Brahmanas are rituals and prayers to guide the priests in their duties. The Aranyakas concern worship and meditation. The Upanishads consist of the mystical and philosophical teachings of Hinduism. The Vedas are made up of four compositions, and each veda in turn has four parts which are arranged chronologically

Deities The most fundamental of Hindu deities is the Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva - creator, preserver and destroyer respectively. Hindus also worship spirits, trees, animals and even planets. The gods and goddesses of Hinduism amount to thousands or even millions, all representing the many aspects of Brahman. Therefore, this faith is characterized by the multiplicity of deities. 

Brahma Is the first god in the Hindu triumvirate, his job was the creation of the world and all creatures. His name should not be confused with Brahman, who is the supreme God force present within all things. Brahma has four heads and it is believed that from these heads came the four Vedas

Shiva Is the third god in the Hindu triumvirate, his role is to destroy the universe in order to re- create it. Shiva is known to have untamed passion, which leads him to extremes in behaviour . Sometimes he is an ascetic, abstaining from all wordly pleasures. At others he is a hedonist.

Vishnu Is the second god in the Hindu triumvirate, he  is the preserver and protector of the universe. His role is to return to the earth in troubled times and restore the balance of good and evil. So far, he has been incarnated nine times, but Hindus believe that he will be reincarnated one last time close to the end of this world.  

STORY In a corner of the infinite spiritual universe there is a ocean of material cause. There is the largest of the forms or avatars of Vishnu god: Maha Vishnu, who is lying on that ocean . His immense body releases each material universe. Each spherical universe is filled with liquid halfway.

STORY On the ocean is another form of Vishnu , Garbhodaka -Sai Vishnu lying on the uterine ocean desing, and above Ananta Shesha. a lake forms in her navel, and above it a lotus flower grows, from it god Brahma is born with four heads. Brahma with his mind creates the world : the earth and all places, planets, stars, visible and invisible in heaven, where the gods and other beings live.

Hinduism differs from Christianity and other monotheistic religions in that it does not have: A single founder An specific theological system A single concept of deity A single holy text A single system of morality A central religious authority

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