Hinduism

Hinduism Hinduism is one of the oldest religions in the world, and today it is the third largest. It began with the religion of the Aryans, who believed that many gods and goddesses controlled the forces of nature. We know about Aryan religion from their ancient hymns and poetry.

Origins of Hinduism For centuries, the priests, or Brahmans, recited these works, and much later they were written down in Sanskrit. Over the centuries, the Aryan religion changed. It borrowed some religious ideas from the people the Aryans conquered in India. This mix of beliefs eventually became Hinduism.

Brahman Hinduism grew out of the religious customs of many people over thousands of years. Hinduism has thousands of gods and goddesses that Hindus tend to think of as different parts of one universal spirit. This universal spirit is called Brahman

Upanishads The search for a universal spirit is described in the ancient religious writings known as the Upanishads. These writings say that every living being has a soul that wants to be reunited with Brahman and that this happens when a person dies.

Dharma The Upanishads teach that Dharma stands for the ultimate moral balance of all things. Dharma belongs to the universe and to the individual. A Hindu’s dharma is played out in all areas of life: religious, social, and familial. If a person makes a promise, the promise must be kept at all costs. The faithful must maintain their religious rituals while attending to their family’s needs.

Karma Karma stands for the belief that a person experiences the affects of his or her actions—that every act or thought has consequences. Living in a balanced universe, if the individual disturbs this order, he or she will suffer. But an ethical and moral life, with undisturbed dharma, will lead to happiness. If the person does not lead a pure and stainless life the only hope for happiness lies in Samsara.

Samsara Samsara is commonly known as reincarnation. It represents the cycle of life, death, and rebirth in which a person carries his or her own karma. Each life cycle presents an opportunity for balance. An individual may experience effects from past lives, although the circumstances may be totally different.

Reincarnation Many Hindus believe that a person’s worldly status depends upon actions in a past life. Likewise, good thoughts and actions can liberate a person. Some Hindus believe that certain people meet in more than one life in order to achieve karmic balance. Thus, every relationship and situation becomes meaningful.

Moksha Like heaven for the Christians, Hindus strive to reach moksha, or a state of changeless bliss. Moksha is achieved by living a life of religious devotion and moral integrity without any interest in worldly things. It may take many lifetimes within the wheel of life before moksha is achieved. The ultimate reward is release from samsara, or the chain of reincarnations, and union with God.

Hinduism Develops Hinduism has gone through many changes over the last 2,500 years. The world soul, Brahman, was sometimes seen as having the personalities of three gods: Brahma, the creator; Vishnu, the protector; and Shiva the destroyer. Over the centuries, Brahma gradually faded into the background, while the many forms of Devi, a great Mother Goddess, grew in importance.

The Creator of the World Brahma The Creator of the World

Vishnu Preserver of the World

Shiva Destroyer of the World

Lord of Existing Beings and Remover of Obstacles Ganesha Lord of Existing Beings and Remover of Obstacles

Krishna Teacher of the World

Goddess of Light, Beauty, Good Fortune, and Wealth Lakshmi Goddess of Light, Beauty, Good Fortune, and Wealth

Surya God of the Sun

King of the Gods and Ruler of the Heavens and Sky Indra King of the Gods and Ruler of the Heavens and Sky

Goddess of Knowledge, Music, and Creative Arts Saraswati Goddess of Knowledge, Music, and Creative Arts

Parvati Universal Mother

Spiritual Pathways Hindus today are free to choose the deity they worship or to choose none at all. Most, however, follow their family traditions that go back for centuries. They are also free to choose among three different paths for achieving moksha. These are the path of right thinking, the path of right action, and the path of religious devotion.

Hinduism Today How did the belief in Hinduism and reincarnation affect Indians? It made them more accepting of the caste system. People believed they had to be happy with their role in life and do the work of their caste. These beliefs determine what one can eat, personal cleanliness, the people one can associate with, and how one dresses. Even in the most ordinary activities of daily life, Hindus turn to their religion for spiritual guidance.

Om or Aum

Om or Aum The symbol Om, or Aum, is the principle symbol of Hinduism. It is a visual and oral representation of Brahmin, or God. Hindus repeat the word Om in order to transcend their individual thoughts and merge with God. Om reflects the power responsible for the creation, development, and destruction of the universe.

Sri Yantra

Sri Yantra Sri Yantra is commonly used as a visual focal point for meditation. The design itself represents the form of the Mother Goddess. It consists of 9 triangles which intersect to form 43 triangles in all. 3 concentric circles surround the triangles and the shape is framed by a square.

The symbol represents spiritual evolution. The triangles stand for the many aspects of God, which, when focused upon, merge into one. When this occurs, consciousness of unity appears in the circles. The entire symbol is seen as a single unit mirroring the Absolute, or God.

The Swastika

The Swastika The swastika is an ancient symbol of auspiciousness, good fortune, and protection. It is a symbol for Vishnu and it represents the eternal wheel of life which rotates upon an unchanging center, God. It is not uncommon to find swastikas marked on buildings and animals. Hindus believe it protects them from evil spirits and natural disasters.

The Lotus

The Lotus The lotus bud, which is born in water and unfolds itself into a beautiful flower, symbolizes the birth of the universe, manifesting itself in all its glory. It is also a symbol of the sun, which rises in the navel of Vishnu. The lotus is also the seat of Brahma. In fact, many deities are depicted sitting atop the sacred lotus flower.

Holy Cow

The Cow Hindus believe the cow is the offspring of the celestial cow, which was created by Lord Krishna from his own body. Another Hindu myth says the cow was born of the churning of the ocean. Hindus also believe that the Earth often approaches God in the form of a cow. Many Hindus use the sacred milk and butter provided by the cow in rituals of atonement.