HISTORY OF HINDUISM

1. Hinduism is the world’s oldest religion, according to many

scholars, with roots and customs dating back more than 4,000
years

2. Hinduism is the third-largest religion behind Christianity and

Islam. Roughly 95 percent of the world’s Hindus live in India.

3. Unlike other religious traditions, Hinduism does not originate in a

single founder, a single book or a single point in time. It contains
many different beliefs, philosophies and viewpoints, not always
consistent with each other.: the Hindu insight claims that the Oneness
expresses itself in many different forms.

4. Around 1500 B.C., the Indo-Aryan people migrated to the Indus

Valley, and their language and culture blended with that of the
indigenous people living in the region. There’s some debate over who
influenced who more during this time.

Hinduism Beliefs
Some basic Hindu concepts include:

 Hinduism embraces many religious ideas. For this reason, it’s

sometimes referred to as a “way of life” or a “family of religions,” as
opposed to a single, organized religion.
 Most forms of Hinduism are henotheistic, which means they
worship a single deity, known as “Brahman,” but still recognize other
gods and goddesses. Followers believe there are multiple paths to
reaching their god.
 Hindus believe in the doctrines of samsara (the continuous cycle of
life, death, and reincarnation) and karma (the universal law of cause and
effect).
 One of the key thoughts of Hinduism is “atman,” or the belief in
soul. This philosophy holds that living creatures have a soul, and they’re
all part of the supreme soul. The goal is to achieve “moksha,” or
 salvation, which ends the cycle of rebirths to become part of the absolute
soul.
 One fundamental principle of the religion is the idea that people’s
actions and thoughts directly determine their current life and future lives.
 Hindus strive to achieve dharma, which is a code of living that
emphasizes good conduct and morality.
 Hindus revere all living creatures and consider the cow a sacred
animal.
 Food is an important part of life for Hindus. Most don’t eat beef or
pork, and many are vegetarians.
 Hinduism is closely related to other Indian religions,
including Buddhism , Sikhism and Jainism.
Hinduism Symbols
 A swastika symbol featured on a tile at Hindu temple on Diu Island,
India. The symbol is one of good luck and good fortune.
John Seaton Callahan/Getty Images
There are two primary symbols associated with Hinduism, the om and the
swastika. The word swastika means "good fortune" or "being happy" in
Sanskrit, and the symbol represents good luck . (A diagonal version of the
swastika later became associated with Germany’s Nazi Party  when they
made it their symbol in 1920.)

The om symbol is composed of three Sanskrit letters and represents

three sounds (a, u and m), which when combined are considered a
sacred sound. The om symbol is often found at family shrines and in
Hindu temples.

Hinduism Holy Books

Hindus value many sacred writings as opposed to one holy book.

The primary sacred texts, known as the Vedas, were composed around
1500 B.C. This collection of verses and hymns was written in Sanskrit
and contains revelations received by ancient saints and sages.

The Vedas are made up of:

 The Rig Veda
 The Samaveda
 Yajurveda
 Atharvaveda
Hindus believe that the Vedas transcend all time and don’t have a
beginning or an end.

The Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, 18 Puranas, Ramayana and

Mahabharata are also considered important texts in Hinduism.

Origins of Hinduism
Most scholars believe Hinduism started somewhere between 2300 B.C.
and 1500 B.C. in the Indus Valley, near modern-day Pakistan. But many
Hindus argue that their faith is timeless and has always existed.

Unlike other religions, Hinduism has no one founder but is instead a

fusion of various beliefs.

Around 1500 B.C., the Indo-Aryan people migrated to the Indus Valley,
and their language and culture blended with that of the indigenous people
living in the region. There’s some debate over who influenced who more
during this time.

The period when the Vedas were composed became known as the “Vedic
Period” and lasted from about 1500 B.C. to 500 B.C. Rituals, such as
sacrifices and chanting, were common in the Vedic Period.

The Epic, Puranic and Classic Periods took place between 500 B.C. and
500 A.D. Hindus began to emphasize the worship of deities, especially
Vishnu, Shiva and Devi.

The concept of dharma was introduced in new texts, and other faiths,
such as Buddhism and Jainism, spread rapidly.

Hinduism vs. Buddhism

Hinduism and Buddhism have many similarities. Buddhism, in fact, arose
out of Hinduism, and both believe in reincarnation, karma and that a life
of devotion and honor is a path to salvation and enlightenment.  

But some key differences exist between the two religions: Buddhism

rejects the caste system of Hinduism, and does away with the rituals, the
priesthood and the gods that are integral to the Hindu faith. 

Medieval and Modern Hindu History

The Medieval Period  of Hinduism lasted from about 500 to 1500 A.D.
New texts emerged, and poet-saints recorded their spiritual sentiments
during this time.

In the 7th century, Muslim Arabs began invading areas in India. During
parts of the Muslim Period, which lasted from about 1200 to
1757, Islamic  rulers prevented Hindus from worshipping their deities, and
some temples were destroyed.

Mahatma Gandhi
Indian statesman and activist Mahatma Gandhi, 1940.
Dinodia Photos/Getty Images
Between 1757 and 1947, the British controlled India. At first, the new
rulers allowed Hindus to practice their religion without interference. But
later, Christian  missionaries sought to convert and westernize the people.

Many reformers emerged during the British Period. The well-known

politician and peace activist, Mahatma Gandhi , led a movement that
pushed for India’s independence.

The partition of India occurred in 1947, and Gandhi was assassinated in

1948. British India was split into what are now the independent nations of
India and Pakistan , and Hinduism became the major religion of India.
 Starting in the 1960s, many Hindus migrated to North America and
Britain, spreading their faith and philosophies to the western world.

Hindu Gods
An early 18th century depiction of Devi revered by Brahma, Vishnu, and
Shiva.
Ashmolean Museum/Heritage Images/Getty Images
Hindus worship many gods and goddesses in addition to Brahman, who
is believed to be the supreme God force present in all things.

Some of the most prominent deities include:

 Brahma: the god responsible for the creation of the world and all
living things
 Vishnu: the god that preserves and protects the universe
 Shiva: the god that destroys the universe in order to recreate it
 Devi: the goddess that fights to restore dharma
 Krishna: the god of compassion, tenderness and love
 Lakshmi: the goddess of wealth and purity
 Saraswati: the goddess of learning
Hindu Places of Worship
Hindu worship, which is known as “puja,” typically takes place in the
Mandir (temple). Followers of Hinduism can visit the Mandir any time they
please.

Hindus can also worship at home, and many have a special shrine
dedicated to certain gods and goddesses.

The giving of offerings is an important part of Hindu worship. It’s a

common practice to present gifts, such as flowers or oils, to a god or
goddess.

Additionally, many Hindus take pilgrimages to temples and other sacred

sites in India.
 Sects of Hinduism
Hinduism has many sects, and is sometimes divided into the following:

 Shaivism (followers of Shiva)

 Vaishnava (followers of Vishnu)
 Shaktism (followers of Devi)
 Smarta (followers of Brahman and all major deities)
Some Hindus elevate the Hindu trinity, which consists of Brahma, Vishnu
and Shiva. Others believe that all the deities are a manifestation of one.

Hindu Caste System

The caste system is a social hierarchy in India that divides Hindus based
on their karma and dharma. Many scholars believe the system dates
back more than 3,000 years.

The four main castes (in order of prominence) include:

1. Brahmin: the intellectual and spiritual leaders

2. Kshatriyas: the protectors and public servants of society
3. Vaisyas: the skillful producers
4. Shudras: the unskilled laborers
Many subcategories also exist within each caste. The “Untouchables” are
a class of citizens that are outside the caste system and considered to be
in the lowest level of the social hierarchy.

For centuries, the caste system determined every aspect of a person’s

social, professional and religious status in India.

When India became an independent nation, its constitution banned

discrimination based on caste.

Today, the caste system still exists in India but is loosely followed. Many
of the old customs are overlooked, but some traditions, such as only
marrying within a specific caste, are still embraced.
 Hindu Holidays
A Pakistani Hindu family offers prayers and light candles as they mark
Diwali, the Festival of Lights, in Lahore, 2016.
Arif Ali/AFP/Getty Images
Hindus observe numerous sacred days, holidays and festivals.

Some of the most well-known include:

 Diwali : the festival of lights

 Navaratri: a celebration of fertility and harvest
 Holi: a spring festival
 Krishna Janmashtami: a tribute to Krishna’s birthday
 Raksha Bandhan: a celebration of the bond between brother and
sister
 Maha Shivaratri: the great festival of Shiva

Dharma (Hinduism)

For Hindus, dharma is the moral order of the universe and a code of
living that embodies the fundamental principles of law, religion, and
duty that governs all reality. The Hindu worldview asserts that is one
by following one's dharma, a person can eventually achieve liberation
from the cycle of death and rebirth (samsara). In the traditional Hindu
view, a person’s duties are dependent upon his or her age, gender,
occupation, and caste; dharma is construed at least in part in terms of
prescribed rituals and caste obligations. Hindu reformers have
interpreted dharma in multiple ways. For example, Mohandas Gandhi
argued that dharma should be understood in more spiritual terms. He
reinterpreted the role of dharma in Hindu society by highlighting its
moral precepts and portrayed it as a dimension of human freedom.

In Hinduism, dharma is conceived as the moral precept that governs

duty, religion, and law. Therefore, because dharma has the potential
to affect all aspects of a believer’s life, many British colonialists
 considered the Dharmasastras—the textual compilation and analysis
of dharmic ordinances—to be the civil law of Hindu peoples. Hence,
colonists believed that dharmic texts were the reason for prevailing
caste practices and ritual obligation in society. However, the
relevance and potency of dharma is continuously challenged and
even today the claim that dharma is compatible with a strict
separation between the religious and secular realms is a matter of
debate. The persistence of dharma in Indian society encourages
spiritual practice and right conduct, but has also supported the
persistence of the caste system. Even though the caste system was
abolished when India gained her independence from the British, it is
still socially pervasive. Modern Hindu reformers argue that regardless
of its connection to dharmic rules expressed in ancient texts, the
caste system is incompatible with democracy.

Definition of Reincarnation
Reincarnation is the belief after you die and your soul or essence is reborn into
another body. This process is also known as the transmigration of the soul, and
many people believe souls reincarnate through multiple lifetimes.

1. Your body dies, but your soul lives on.

2. Your soul returns to Source energy.
3. Your soul returns in a different body.
4. The cycle repeats endlessly or until your spirit reaches enlightenment.
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 Reincarnation and Christianity
 Hindu Reincarnation
 Good Karma Vs. Bad Karma

Purpose of Reincarnation
The purpose of reincarnation is the continuing evolution of the soul
towards enlightenment or return to oneness with Source energy (sometimes
referred to as God, Spirit, or Divine). During its evolution through lifetimes, the
soul seeks to experience and grow from those experiences until it has learned all
it set out to learn. Some souls choose to recall certain aspects, talents, or skills
learned in past lives that will aid in the current incarnation. Many believe child
prodigies are such souls who have conscious and subconscious recall of skills
learned in previous lifetimes. The personality, gender, and looks may change
from one incarnation to another, but the soul is always the same soul.

How Your Next Incarnation Is Determined

The third step in the soul's cycle is a significant one. This scenario often creates
heated debates. Some believe the return cycle is guided not by the soul but by
the karma met and accumulated by the soul. Many others believe that in addition
to human form, the soul returns in animal and plant forms.

Good and Bad Karma

In the Hindu belief, the purpose of reincarnation is the playing out of karma, or
the belief your choices and actions in this life will return to you in the next life in
a manner that balances the energetic scales. For example, someone who is an
abuser in one life may return as an abuse victim in another, according to this
belief in karma. Metaphysical and New Age belief systems view karma more as a
cycle or balancing of energy that occurs over the course of all lifetimes of an
individual soul. It is believed that over thousands of incarnations, every soul is
everything and experiences everything along the spectrum of human experiences.
Therefore, karma in this type of belief is nothing more than natural law. Since
your soul will be, do, and experience everything, then this weighing of energetic
scales happens to every soul over thousands of lifetimes. When all of the karmic
experiences have allowed the soul to experience itself fully as an incarnated
human, the cycle of life, death, and rebirth can end for that soul.

Free Will and Reincarnation

Many people believe the soul undergoes a review process of its progression and
growth when it's in-between incarnations. Examples of these beliefs include the
following.

 Each soul decides on its next incarnation with the assistance of spiritual
guides. The soul can be advised, but ultimately, the choice is the soul's alone.
 If the soul has evolved through numerous incarnations, it has earned the
right to decide its next incarnation. However, if the soul has failed to learn
the lessons for which it had last incarnated, that choice is forfeited and the
decision is made for the soul.

Free Will Circumvented?

There are several difficulties with the second belief. The most glaring one is the
circumventing of free will. Many believe God bestowed free will on the soul
expressly so the soul could exert free will and by that free will, return to God.
Only then could the soul join God as a true co-creator. To suggest that anywhere
within the soul's evolution process, it can be denied to use its free will is
impossible since even God doesn't interfere with the soul's free will. Therefore, it
has to be surmised that each soul is responsible for its own choices and decisions
to reincarnate.

The Soul's Choice

If you accept the concept the soul is a part of God and is working its way back to
God, the soul is much wiser than the human personality it's manifesting through.
The soul typically chooses the necessary path for greater growth.

See No Evil
If all things belong to God, how can there be evil? The soul often creates what is
recognized as evil when exerting its free will. The soul must learn and desire to
exert its free will in a God-like way. Until that happens, the soul is considered
rebellious.

Reincarnation and Progress of the Soul

There are varying beliefs about reincarnation that break down the soul's journey.
The Hindu belief system encompasses all life forms in the reincarnation process
for a more complete experience. The one underlying kernel that is shared by all
reincarnation belief systems is the soul's ultimate destiny, the return to God as a
co-creator.

Religions and Philosophies That Believe in Reincarnation

A large percentage of religious belief systems embrace reincarnation as the
natural order of the soul's progression, including:

 Hinduism
 Pagans
 Druids
 Esoteric Christianity
 Buddhism (Used as parables more than belief system)
 Taoism (evolution of soul)
 Orthodox Judaism
Ancient Norsemen believed in reincarnation as do Native Americans and the
Celts.
Science's Attempt to Prove or Disprove
Ever since Decartes' elevation of science in the 17th century, science is used as a
barometer of truth and reality. Scientists attempt to quantify, prove, or disprove
the existence of the soul and, of course, reincarnation. Science feels it has
sufficiently explained away near-death experiences (NDE) as nothing more than
brain chemical reactions. Love has been pared down to chemical reactions that
mislead people into believing emotions are no more than physical response
mechanisms.

What Science Doesn't Understand

What science fails to grasp is the force behind the physical reactions. If the soul
exists, it uses the body as a vehicle to move through life and gain more
experiences. To discount NDEs and love as nothing more than physical chemical
reactions is like saying that a car stops because the brakes are applied. While the
statement is true, it only explains the physical response of the car with no
consideration of how or who has manipulated it to perform the physical response.
In this case, of course, it's the driver. In the case of the human body, it's the soul.

It's All About the Journey

The important point of the reincarnation process is how the journey aids the soul
in growing and evolving until one day the soul no longer feels a need to
reincarnate. This definition of reincarnation concludes that the soul's incarnation
cycle is complete. The soul is now evolved into a whole entity and ready to return
to the Creator.