Religion By Bigyan Shama, Mahendra Multiple campus Dharan

Religion is the belief system in supernatural being, sacred and profane in society.
Society is not guided by only one religion. There are different religions in world
society. Society has the religious diversity. Every religion has its own norms and
values, ideology and beliefs. Every religion has its own different sects also. Some
major religions of society are as follows:

Hindu religion:

It is one of the oldest religion in the world. There is no single founder of Hinduism
as found in other religion. It came through the research and experience of many
learned men (Rishi/Muni). Some historian trace out the origin of Hindu religion to
3rd millennium B.C. when some nomadic tribes came to India and settled at the
bank of Ganga, Indus and Brahmaputra rives. These tribes were called Aryans
(noble one). Hinduism is believed to have stated with Sruti (which is heard). The
Rishis who had perfected themselves through meditation are said to have heard in
their hearts Eternal truths and these truths were transmitted to their disciple and
followers orally.

Hinduism believes in heaven, hell, salvation, as well as pure and impure.

Polytheism, idol worshiping, Varna system, ashram system, belief in reincarnation,
liberal religion etc. is the basic features of Hinduism. Hinduism has more than 935
million followers in the world (13.7%) In Nepal its total no of followers are 81.3
%.

Main concentration areas of this religion are India, Nepal and Indian and Nepali
communities overseas. It has no specific founder It was established around 1 500
B.C. Hinduism is divided into Shaivism, Vaishnism and Shaktism.

Hinduism is originally called Sanatan Dharma which means righteousness forever.

The term Hindu originated from the root word Indus. The Vedic Literature was
handed down through the verbal transmission and declared to be divine relation.
The four Vedas are The Rig Veda, The Sam Veda, The Yajur Veda and Atharva
Veda.

Features of Hinduism

I. Polytheism: - Hinduism believes in Polytheism. From the origin, the Hindus

were polytheist and worshipped many deities. The Rig Vedic literature
 Religion By Bigyan Shama, Mahendra Multiple campus Dharan

divides Gods and Goddess into three groups on the basis of their nativeness
of Heaven, sky and Earth. So it is a polytheist religion.
II. The Concept of Trinity: - During the post Vedic period the concept of 33
kotis God and Goddess developed within Hinduism but three Gods are
recognized as pioneer Gods. They are Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh. These
three Gods are considered as the super Gods or Gods of Gods.
III. Idol Worshipping: - Idol worshipping is another important feature of
Hinduism. Hindu shrines and temple are usually full of images and statue of
different gods and Goddess. Idol worshipping was started in Hinduism since
ancient time and still it is in the practice. This feature is that type of
character that it distinguishes Hinduism from other religion such as Islam.
IV. Believe in unseen force: - Hinduism has it s origin in the worshiping of
supernatural power. Followers of Hinduism have belief that all the disasters,
natural phenomena, and misfortune occurs due to the some supernatural
power and developed some „Karma-Kanda‟ and most of them guided by
superstations and these are not only unscientific but also have no
applicability.
V. Liberal religion: - Hinduism is one of the most liberal and flexible religion
in the world. Followers of Hinduism does not need any orthodox principles.
Hinduism has been able to include all the Gods and Goddess.
VI. Transmigration of Soul: - According to Hindu religion, the soul after the
death of individual passes into another body and again into another till it can
be freed from the worldly pleasure and love.

The Ashram system, Mention of four Purusartha, Varna System and caste
system etc.

The Key concepts of Hinduism :

A. Ashram System: - The ultimate aim of every individuals is to get salvation

in Hindu religion. People should perform certain virtues and good deeds in
order to get salvation. In ancient time the Rishi (Learned Men) provided the
guidelines for the different phases of life in the form of four ashram which
are as follows:
i. Brahmachrya Ashram: - According to Hinduism this is the first
formative stage in the life of an individual. It is the period of study and an
 Religion By Bigyan Shama, Mahendra Multiple campus Dharan

individual has to Gurukul for study. It is the period of first 25 years of an

individual and s/he becomes acharya (Bachelor). They learn Vedic text,
Puranas, Ashtra and shastra, medicine, agriculture, Dhanur Vidhya, and
war skill etc. An individual should do following duties in this period:

Individual should sleep on earth

S/he should beg both for Guru and himself.

S/he should not eat meat, onion, and other sweet dishes

S/he should not rub oil on his/her body

Should not wear shoes

Should not express anger and quarrel

Should not speak lie etc

Should remain under the supervision of Guru

ii. The Grihastha Ashram (25 to 50 years): - This period is determined for
the fulfillment of Artha, Kama and Dharma. Some important duty
assigned to Grihastha Ashram are: Individual should into marital life,
through the marriage, Individual should receive gests with courtesy,
Individual should worship pitris, God and Goddess. Individual should
earn artha for the maintenance of the family, as well as to feed family
members, guests, and the saints. An individual has to perform Pitri
Yagya, The Rishi Yagya, the Deva yagya etc to express gratitude and
solidarity with Gods and Goddess
iii. Vanaprastha Ashram: - This stage is the period of 50 to 70 years. This
period is for resting of the body and mind. So that one can think or
remember parambrahma. In this period individuals have to live in Jungles
with regular philosophical discussion. They have to perform Yoga to
keep fit and mentally alert. They should wear Mirgachamar instead of
clothes. They do not have spicy and fatty dishes.
iv. Sanyas Ashram: - this ashram for only Brahmins. It is the period of 75
to 100. Sanyasi have to perform ten duties which are Begging, truth
 Religion By Bigyan Shama, Mahendra Multiple campus Dharan

speaking, keep the soul sacred, do not quarreling, pardoning anybody,

should not express the anger, etc.

B. The four Purusartha: -

1. Dharma: - According to Hindu belief, the Dharma refers to religious

activity as well as righteousness and duty. It refers to the fulfillment of
several duties to the nation (Known as Raj/Rastra dharma), to the teacher
(Guru Dharma), Rishi Dharma, Pitri Dharma etc. It is argued that dharma
should be preserved in any costs.

2. Artha (Economy) : - Artha is necessary to maintain the family,

members of family, to perform religious activities, and to solve the other
problems of Life. It is said that the one who has not wealth (artha) can
not fulfill tha all Dharam.

3. Kama: - Kama has very wide meaning and perspective. In a Narrow

sense it means to fulfill the sexual desires. In a broad sense Kama is
considered to the fulfillment of human desire so that individual can
perform all the duties towards Gods, Rishis, Guru and nation. It is also
related to keep controls over sexual desires in Brahmacharya ,
Vanaprastha and sanyas ashram.

4.Mokshya: - According to Hindu philosophy Mokshya (salvation) is

very important purusartha. In Hindu society, salvation is the final goal of
every individuals. The word mokshya is derived from the Sanskrit word
„Mook‟ which means control over soul. In fact, Mokshya is a condition
where an individual is above the worldly love and affection.

C. The three paths to divinity: -Mokshya is a core of Hinduism. It is the feeling

of attachment to the almighty Gods and Goddess. According to Hinduism, there
are three way to achieve the divinity. They are Gyan Marga(Knowledge Path),
Bhakti Marga(worship of the Gods), And Karma Marga (work Path) .

D. The four Varnas: - According to Rig Veda the Varna is created by the God
Brahma. Individuals are diveded on the basis of their work. The main occupation
of Brahmin is teaching, security is the job of Kshyatriya, economic activities of
Vaishya, and serv to others above group is the job of Sudras.
 Religion By Bigyan Shama, Mahendra Multiple campus Dharan

The literal meaning of Varna is colour. Yudhisthira is of view that if a person

speaks truth, gives charity, has capacity to pardon, and is of satcharitra, he is called
Brahmin. He further says that if all these qualities are found in a sudra, he is also
called Brahmin.

E. The concept of Avatar: - It is another key concept of Hindu thought. Most of

the Avatars (Incarnation) come to be associated with the lord Vishnu. The ten
incarnation of Vishnu are known as Dasa Avataars. They are Matsya, Kurma,
Varah(Boar), Narashima, Vamana(Dwarf), Parshuram, Rama, Krishna, Buddha
and Kalki.

Sects of Hinduism

Vaishnavism: - The followers of Lord Vishnu are called Vaishnava and their sect
of religion is called Vaishnavism. Lord Vishnu is considered as the supreme God
and source of all considered by this sect. Goddess Laxmi, wife of lord Vishnu is
worshipped as the Goddess of Wealth.

According to Vavishya Purana lord Vishnu had ten incarnation wehich are known
as Dasa Avataars. They are Matsya, Kurma, Varah(Boar), Narashima,
Vamana(Dwarf), Parshuram, Rama, Krishna, Buddha and Kalki. Followers of
Vaishnavism belive that Lord Vishnu takes such incarnations to wipe the sinful
acts from this Earth and followers of Lord Vishnu worship all incarnations.

Usually the followers of Lord Vishnu are vegetarian and they reject the concept of
sacrificing the animals. Taking bath daily in the morning, worshipping Lord
Vishnu daily, putting the holy thread etc are the basic rules for them. Vaisnavs can
be identified by certain marks on their forehead and body. Vaishnava marks are
vary but they usually use the symbols straight drawn U Y etc drawn with white
along with a red representing laxmi.

Shivism: - The practice of worshipping Lord Shiva as the major deity along with
other members of Shiva‟s family like Goddess Parvati, Ganesh etc is called
shaivism. The most common form to represent lord Shiva is Shiva linga. Lord
Shiva is believed to be settled on the summit of Kailash in a leather of tiger. He is
always in deep meditation. In the middle of his forehead is his third eye which
indicates superior wisdom.
 Religion By Bigyan Shama, Mahendra Multiple campus Dharan

Shaktism: - Shaktism is another important sect of Hinduism. By the post Vedic

period, Hindu started to believe that Goddess is the source of all power and they
are more powerful than the Gods. It is believed that it is better to worship the
goddess. With this aspect the tradition of Shaktism developed. It is believed that
all the natural power remains under the direct control of eight goddesses
commonly known as Astamatrika.

Buddhism

Buddhism is one of the major religion in Nepal. The founder of this religion is
Siddhartha Gautam who was born about 563 BC in Lumbini of Nepal. The
Buddhism is practiced in the Indian sub-continent and many other countries of the
World including China, Sri-lanka, Korea, and others. Buddhism has 463 Million
(6.7%)followers Triptaka is the holy book of Buddhism and in Nepal total
followers of this religion is 9 percent.

Buddhism, developed in the sixth century B.C. as a reaction against Hinduism.

This faith is founded on the teachings of Siddhartha (later called Buddha, or “the
enlightened one”). Through meditation, followers of Buddhism strive to overcome
selfish cravings for physical or material pleasures, with the goal of reaching a state
of enlightenment, or nirvana.

Buddhists created the first monastic orders, which are thought to be the models for
monastic orders in other religions. Though Buddhism emerged in Indian sub
continent, its followers were eventually driven out of that country by the Hindus. It
is now found primarily in other parts of Asia. Early Buddhism was a system of
ethics concerned with personal salvation. It is a path practice and spiritual
development leading to the insights into the nature of life. The Buddha is
considered as mortal and human. Followers Buddhism practices meditation as a
means of changing oneself In order to develop the qualities of awareness, kindness
and wisdom. Buddhism does not include the idea of worshipping of creator God.
Some people do not take it as religion rather they take it as moral philosophy.

According to this religion nothing is fixed of permanent action that change is

possible. It teaches the practical method which enables people to realize and utilize
its teaching in order to transform their experience to be fully responsible for their
lives to develop the qualities. When Buddha was 29years old, he left the comforts
 Religion By Bigyan Shama, Mahendra Multiple campus Dharan

of Royal palace to seek the meaning of suffering. After the six years of Yogic
training he sat in a mindfullness meditation beneath a Boddhi tree. On the full
moon of Baishakh, Siddhartah Gautam became the Buddha, the enlightened one.
The Buddha wandered the plains of North eastern India for 45 years, teaching the
knowledge, he has realized in the meditation. He died at the age 80.

The four Aryan (Noble) truth of Buddhism

1. Dukha(suffering): - there is suffering but it is invisible. Only noble man with

good characters feels the sufferings. According to Buddha, all sufferings are
unrealistic and temporary. Our expectations are unlimited. So the life in the
world is of full sufferings.

2. There are causes of Pain: - Buddha says that he main cause of pain is human
desires. Humans are compelled to do wrong work due to human desires.

3. We can be free from pain: - Human desires are the main source of sufferings
and salvation or free from the unlimited desires is the solution of pain. One
can get rid of sufferings by attending Nirvana(salvation).

4. 4. Dukha Nirodha Marga: - Buddha propunded fourth noble truth as a

complimentary of 3rd noble truth. He presents eight fold path s to get
Nirvana or salvation. These are eight fold paths are as follows:

i. Right vision: - Right vision id the true understanding of the four

Aryan truths. According to Buddha, right vision helps in moral
reformations and leads to the goal of salvation.

ii. Right speech: - Right speech involves the absent from lying,
gossiping, or hurtful task. Right determination can help to the control
of our speech. Our speech should be joyful and soft.

iii. Right action: - Right action refers to good deeds. Right action
involves absent from hurtful behaviours such as killing, stealing, and
taking intoxicating materials.

iv. Right livelihood: - Right livelihood means living in such a way as to

avoid dishonesty and hurting others including animals.
 Religion By Bigyan Shama, Mahendra Multiple campus Dharan

v. Right effort: - Right effort is a matter of exerting oneself in regards to

the contact of one‟s mind. Bad qualities should abandoned and
prevented from bad things. Good qualities should be enacted and
nurtured.

vi. Right mindfulness: - Right mindfulness is the focusing of one‟s

attention on one‟s body, feeling, thought, and consciousness in such
way as overcome passion, hatred and ignorance.

vii. Right concentration: - Right concentration is meditating in such a way

as to progressively realize a true understanding of imperfections.

viii. Right determination: - Everyone must posses a strong determination

to reform his/her life in the light of truth. It is the true desire to free
oneself from attachment, ignorance and hatefulness. For this one
should give up all the bad feelings towards other and be determined to
one‟s one own duty.

Features of Buddhism

 Liberal and flexible religion

 No violence or the concept of ahimsa

 Criticism of case system

 Belief in Nirvana (Karma and mokhsya)

 Belief in rebirth

 Not worshipping the particular God

 Worshiping in Gumba

 Tolerance to other religion

Sects of Buddhism

Gautam Buddha teaches education of Life in simple words. But in course of time,
it has become complicated. The Buddhism is divided into different sects with the
 Religion By Bigyan Shama, Mahendra Multiple campus Dharan

number of followers increased. The most important sects of Buddhism are as

follows:

 The Heenyana sect or School: - this school of Buddhism flourished in

south Asia and its present strong hold is in Srilanka and Burma. This sect
believes in original version of Buddha‟s truth. It‟s literature is vast and is
written in „Pali‟ language. This school of Buddhism claims to be more
orthodox an faithful to the teaching of Buddha. The name of this sect is
given by non other than by Mahayana sect. according to the followers of
Mahayana, the teaching of Hinayana is narrow way. According to Hinayana
Gautam Buddha was simple man as common men but he had the different
way of thinking about life and suffering.

 Mahayana Sect :- The Mahayana sect of Buddhism is flourished mostly in

North Asian countries and its followers are mainly found in Tibet, china and
Japan. This school adopted Sanskrit for their philosophical discussion and
thus large number of Buddhist literature are developed in Sanskrit. Most of
these literatures were translated into Chinese and Tibetan language later.
The meaning of Mahayana is a large way. this sect has taken as a God to the
Buddha. So this sect started to idol worshipping. It is a liberal sect of
Buddhism. Mahayana aims at the salvation of mankind.

 Tantrism : - In course of time. One more sect of Buddhism developed under

the Mahayana sect. This sect believes in magical power and worship in the
Mandala. It is the way of tantra, Mantra worship to get Buddha hood. This
sect believes that the knowledge can be achieve only through Tantra-mantra
and mediation. Manta and meditation influences the internal knowledge of
human. In this way this sect takes Buddha as the symbol of Universe and
consciousness because Panchtatwa and consciousness makes the forms of
Buddha
 Religion By Bigyan Shama, Mahendra Multiple campus Dharan

.
Religion By Bigyan Shama, Mahendra Multiple campus Dharan