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What are the world's major religious philosophies? Hinduism
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This article is a simple introduction to Hinduism. It is not meant to be a comprehensive guide but to familiarize the reader with the basic tenets of one of the world’s major religions. Hinduism is the world’s oldest religious philosophy. Because Hinduism has developed over the course of 5000 years it is difficult to define. There are currently over a billion followers of the Hindu faith. This makes it the world’s third largest religion. It is an assortment of religious, philosophical, and social ideas.
Hinduism is a compilation of various beliefs and practices; it does not hold to one a strict belief system. The primary sacred texts of Hinduism are the Vedas: the Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda and Atharva Veda. The Vedas contain hymns, incantations, and rituals from ancient India. Hindus live by the guidance of the Vedic principles. Some of its tenets include the belief in reincarnation and the belief of One God who manifests in many forms. Hindus believe in Karma which is the law of cause and effect. They believe in living an ethical life. Hindus also believe that it is possible to gain freedom from the cycle of rebirth.
Hinduism is a Dharma, a way of life, an edict that governs all action. Hinduism is sometimes called Santana Dharma, the eternal law. It has its own beliefs, traditions, advanced system of ethics, meaningful rituals, philosophy and theology. It has given birth to ayurvedic medicine as well as yoga.
Some of the main tenets of the Hindu belief are the 5 Principles and the 10 Disciplines:
The 5 Principles
1. God Exists as: the One Absolute OM, as
the Trinity of, Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva
and in several other divine forms
2. All human beings are divine
3. Unity of existence through love
4. Religious harmony
5. Knowledge of 3 Gs: Ganga (sacred river), Gita (sacred script), Gayatri (sacred mantra)
The 10 Disciplines
1. Truth
2. Non-violence
3. Celibacy, non-adultery
4. No desire to possess or steal
5. Non-corrupt
6. Cleanliness
7. Contentment
8. Reading of scriptures
9. Austerity, perseverance, penance
10. Regular prayers
This is at best a brief overview of Hinduism designed to give readers a basic familiarity with its core concepts. It is not a comprehensive guide nor is the writer an expert on its principles. For more info we suggest you visit a Hindu temple or consult the basic Hindu texts which can be found at: http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/
Whatever takes form is false.
Only the formless endures.
When you understand
The truth of this teaching,
You will not be born again.
For God is infinite,
Within the body and without,
Like a mirror,
And the image in a mirror.
As the air is everywhere,
Flowing around a pot
And filling it,
So God is everywhere,
Filling all things
And flowing through them forever.
- Ashtavakra Gita 1: 18-20
Lead me from the unreal to the Real.
Lead me from darkness unto Light.
Lead me from death to Immortality.
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