Hinduism Beliefs

Traditions of  Hinduism Beliefs

Historians opine, nomadic tribes known as "Aryan" had settled on the banks of River Indus four thousand years back. It is allegedly believed Aryans brought with them the traditions and the folklore of the gods. They along with the Dravidians, the original inhabitants, blended the beliefs, culture and faith and named the land "Hindustan". Hindustan means "beyond the River Indus" and the people of Hindustan were known as Hindus. The religion followed by the Hindus is known as Hinduism. However, the term "Hinduism" was coined by the Persian and the Greek travelers of the 16th century. Initially, it was known as the Vedic religion.

It is a herculean task to define Hinduism because nobody knows anything about the central authority or founder of Hinduism. There is no belief that is common to all practitioners of Hinduism. Historians believe over the centuries Hinduism had adopted many spiritual traditions and practices, which are seen even today in the homes of many Hindus. It is not easy to generalize the beliefs of Hinduism because the practices vary widely among the believers of this religion. We try to look into a few basic and common beliefs that are practiced by all Hindus.

Primary Hindu Deities of Hinduism Beliefs

According to the holy texts of Hinduism, there are around three crore gods and goddesses. However, in practice Hindus believe and worship only a few deities who have a direct influence on their lives. Hindus as a whole believe there is an immense cosmic power that controls the entire universe. We will look at a few primary Hindu deities worshiped by the believers of Hinduism.

Devi - Devi is known as the "Mother" or as the "Goddess". There are many temples and lores about the deeds of Devi. She is known by different names such as "Kali", "Vaishanavi", "Mata Durga" and so on. Many believe that she is the creative and protective energy of this universe. She is considered as equal in powers to Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu.

Shiva - Lord Shiva is known as the "Creator" and the "Destroyer". Hindus believe Lord Shiva has the power to destroy when he creates something new. He gives life and also, takes it away. He is known by the names such as "Omkar", "Eshwar", "Rudra" and many more.

Vishnu - Lord Vishnu is known as the "Preserver". He preserves life on this Universe. His incarnations are "Lord Krishna" and "Lord Ram".

Basic Hinduism Beliefs

There are many beliefs and traditions in Hinduism, hence it is difficult to pen down all. One thing that is accepted by the Hindus is that all religious paths lead to God who is supreme power and omnipotent. The basic beliefs of Hinduism are:

Law of Karma is one of the basic beliefs of Hinduism. Karma means "actions or deeds". Hindus believe in rebirths and reincarnation. It is believed the karma of a person in this birth decides his life after death. There are seven cycles of birth that a person undergoes before he achieves moksha or nirvana.

To achieve moksha, a person has to perform "Jyana". To achieve the eternal level, a person has to follow the philosophical writings of the Vedas and other religious books. He has to perform many charity works and be a humble person. Apart from that he has to meditate and also practice yoga.

The Hindus practice "bhakti marg" or the path of devotion. Bhakti is the way of getting the help of the gods by giving offerings to please them. This is practiced to achieve moksha from the life cycle.

Hinduism is one of the oldest and the largest religion in the world. There are around 1000 million Hindus in the world and more than three-quarter of Indians are Hinduism Beliefs.

{ 0 comments }

Hinduism Beliefs Reincarnation

Memories of Hinduism Beliefs Reincarnation

Many people in our modern times have what they describe as memories of having lived past lives. Remembering a past life has a potential profound healing effect on one's health, relationships, life work, spiritual understanding and sense of Self. A past life memory can also be an opening for one's spiritual evolution and growth. I know because I have remembered many of my own past life experiences and I have facilitated thousands of people while they were in a hypnotic state as they remembered their past lives.

Both spiritual traditions, Hinduism and Buddhism, have versions of reincarnation in their theologies. In both traditions there is a belief that the soul is eternal and that it takes different forms through out the process of birth, death and rebirth. In each tradition there is a belief that the incarnate form and life experiences one has is the effect of past lives. The concept of Karma, cause and effect, is also universal to these traditions. It is interesting to me that in the class readings reincarnation is never addressed as a part of the spiritual precepts or beliefs. In both spiritual traditions reincarnation is a basic component of the theology. The ultimate expression of spiritual growth is moving beyond the cycles of death and rebirth, to a state of re-emergence with the divine.

Hinduism Beliefs Reincarnation Concept

Sacred Hindu texts use the term atman to refer to the spiritual essence of a human being. The atman is one's true self because it connects each individual soul to one Source or Supreme Reality - Brahmin. In Hinduism life is a journey which takes each individual soul back to the oneness of Brahman from which everything is born. On this journey we human beings tend to forget the truth of who we are: we tend to fall into samsara the seemingly never-ending cycle of birth, death and rebirth. Humans are destined to reincarnate over and over again until our atman, or spiritual essence as a human being, can remember that we are Brahman. Lifetimes give us on-going opportunities to reach a state of awareness called moksha or liberation. We can only reach this state by realizing that we are not our personalities and simply material beings. We must follow a path of dharma, a path or moral and ethical conduct to become one with spirit.

The Hindu perspective on reincarnation also includes the concept of transmigration of the movement of the soul from mineral, vegetable and animal forms before becoming human. After going through the many human forms to samsara the soul evolved to become angelic. Some Hindus believe that transmigration can also be reversed: that the human soul can also become animal in its next life if the soul needs to experience the karma of de-evolving.

The Hindu practices follow the teachings in the Vedas which are believed to have been composed between 1200 BCE and 1000 BCE. The Bhagavad- Gita, a Vedic text, is the story of prince Arjuna and his charioteer Krishna, who turns out is the reincarnation of the supreme God, Vishnu, the Lord of the Universe. In the Gita , Krishna explains how spiritual knowledge is attained. Knowledge is attained through the playing out of karma, living out one's dharma, or spiritual duty, and through the perfection of one's soul's and learning through reincarnation. The experience of life and all of its teachings is so vast that it is unlikely that in one life time the soul can move into perfection.

Hinduism Beliefs Reincarnation

The concepts of Karma and reincarnation are woven throughout the Bhagavad-Gita and are more than dogma to Hindus. In an article that appeared in India's Illustrated Weekly (September 26, 1971) is the statement, "Karma and reincarnation are to them [Hindus] more than dogma, they are like the air that they breathe. And Hindus cannot help themselves feeling that they are a part of a cosmic scheme that is perpetually in a whirl. As Krishna says in the Gita, 'All worlds up to that of Brahma are subject to rebirth again and again.'"

In past life regression therapy a client has the opportunity to directly experience the effects of karma or cause and effect in one's own present and past lives. Through the life stories that unfold and through the associated state in the body, time and place of the past life, the client experiences direct emotions, sensations and soul awareness of the "hows" and "whys" of the past life in relation to current circumstances in one's present life.

An example is from my own regression therapy work. I grew up with a physically and emotionally abusive alcoholic mother. By the time I was an adolescent I had given up on getting my mothering needs met by her and I lived with resentment and fear. I rejected my mother with the same passion I felt with which she rejected me until I accessed a past life memory when my mother was a child and I was her stepmother. I had the image and sensation of being angry and resentful toward my stepdaughter and beating her as she crouched in a corner. I experienced that I beat her often and that I was relentlessly emotionally cruel to her. I had the realization that in my current life my mother and I carried the soul memory of the past relationship and that karmically we were balancing out the drama by reversing the roles.

This experience explained to me so clearly why I was the one out of four daughters she abused. In an instant not only did I understand the cause and effect of her abuse, but I also came to a place of forgiveness of my mother this life time and for myself in the past. Our relationship changed dramatically after this regression. The anger and resentment were gone. I was able to accept her and my relationship with her with more compassion. Understanding the karma between my mother and myself supported my ability to accept what is and to come to a place of peace and healing. I have no way of knowing to what degree this healing of my relationship with my mother has supported my spiritual evolution. I do know, however, that in this life time I feel more able to be present with what is and I felt less reactive and judgmental where my mother is concerned.

I have also committed to the dharma of helping others to come to a more accepting and compassionate place in their lives through understanding the "why me?" of difficult situations in their lives. When one comes to the karma of the "why me?" as it is related to the past life connection to current life effects, awareness shifts and healing takes place. Past life regression work can help one do the spiritual work of Chanda in the Hindu tradition: " This is the wholesome desire of Chanda- to be free, the desire to relieve suffering, to be healthy, to promote well-being." Past life regression therapy brings into the current life the spiritual practice of liberation, and basic self-esteem and equality with others.

Buddhism

Reincarnation is also a basic part of the theology in the Buddhist tradition. The Buddha, Siddhartha, at his moment of enlightenment saw all of his past incarnations as he looked into his reflection in the river. One effect of enlightenment is that the wheels of karma are broken and one no longer must reincarnate to perfect one's Being. A Boddhisattva, however, is one who reaches enlightenment or Nirvana and chooses to incarnate to assist all others incarnated in reaching nirvana through teaching how one can release suffering and attachment. Reaching perfection is the goal of Buddhists and perfection is reached by incarnating over and over again to experience and learn how to let go of all attachment and suffering created by the mind. The schools of Mahayana and Zen Buddhism hold the belief in personal reincarnation and those who practice these forms of Buddhism are focused on stopping the karmic pull that bring us back into a body in human form.

The original Buddhist scriptures, known as the Pali Canon, were recorded several hundred years after Buddha's death. The most celebrated of these is the Dhammapada. Here Buddha plainly speaks of two selves within the human being, the lesser self and the greater self, the former being perishable and the later enduring from life to life. Here is a selection from the Dhammapada: "I call him Brahmana [a true Brahmin] who has destroyed his doubts by knowledge and had plumbed the depth of the Eternal....Him I call a Brahmana who knows the mystery of death and rebirth of all beings, who knows his former lives, who is a sage of perfect knowledge and who has accomplished all that needs to be accomplished."

In the Diamond Sutra the opening paragraph refers to a past life of the Buddha when he was born a king's son and his raging father cut the infant into pieces:

When the king of Kalinga cut my flesh from every limb, at that time I had no perception of self, of being a soul, or a person. And why? If at that time I had had a perception of self, I would have had a perception of ill-will....With my superknowledge I recall that in the past I have for five hundred births led the life of a sage devoted to patience.

In the tradition of Tibetan Buddhism the Dalai Lama is chosen because of his ability to remember certain objects and spiritual teaching from a prior lifetime as a Dalai Lama. He is put to tests to prove the authenticity of his reincarnational heritage before he is accepted into the role as the new Dalai Lama. His ability to remember is a sign of his advanced spiritual state. The Tibetan Buddhists want to honor the past learnings and wisdom of their spiritual leader; he can pick up where he left off in a prior life time.

Bradford Smith of Colombia University writes:

When the previous Dalai Lama dies, wise men who had gone to seek the new holy one, had found a little boy who recognized things that had belonged to his predecessor and could pick them out unerringly from among similar objects...So here is a religion where an infant is born obscurely, recognized by wise men and worshipped: where a holy man prophesies that he will return from the dead......In Tibetan Buddhism, with its firm faith in the rebirth of the soul, not only of the
Dalai Lamas but of all, and of a progress based upon behavior during past lives, this impulse is dramatically present.

The Dalai Lama speaks of the effects of Karma and reincarnation in a poignant way in a discussion of the sad state of Tibet where suffering has been inflicted upon the people, and where the Chinese are attempting to stamp out every vestige of Buddhism may wonder how the Dalai Lama views all this in the light of reincarnation.

An answer is given in an interview with the Lama as reported in the New York Times (November 12, 1967):

As a Buddhist he said that he believes that the present events are determined by intricate sets of causes stretching back into the previous lives of those who are affected by them. "Thus", he said, "it was only an 'outward appearance' that the Tibetans were suffering today because of the Chinese aggression. The aggression must have come because we did something bad." "Similarly", he went on," it is only an 'outward appearance' that Chinese rule in Tibet is now permanent. The chain of causes that will eventually undermine it, must already be lengthening, even if it cannot be seen." "Cause and effect, cause and effect, cause and effect, " he said cheerfully in English, his fingers darting in the air to join the links of an imaginary chain. "There will certainly be change."

Past life therapy is a spiritual process through which you can remember the Self and the truth of who you are as a spiritual being. Through direct experiences of emotions, body sensations and events one can come to a profound understanding and acceptance of the way it is. One has a direct experience of karma and the bigger picture of the spiritual lessons that come through the process of karmic experiences of cause and effect.

Sixteen years ago a man came to see me to do a past-life regression around his lack of ambition and success in the field of music. The minute he walked into my office I was struck with a deep and profound recognition of him. This man is now my husband of fourteen years. Through out our life and spiritual work together, I have come to understand so much about our connection and our karma.

In a past life we shared in Ancient Egypt, Paul, my husband now, was a man of spiritual responsibility. He was to watch over the Priestess virgins who were to be sacrificed whenever a pharaoh died. The Priestess spirits would accompany the dead pharaohs into the afterlife to protect them and care for them. I was chosen to be sacrificed. He chose me to die because I was the most evolved of the priestess. This choice infuriated me. We had fallen in love and I wanted to be free to be in relationship with him. This was not possible since I was a well- guarded virgin priestess. I was furious that he would choose his spiritual responsibility to sacrifice the highest priestess over our personal love and that I was the victim of a spiritual ritual that I knew was based on superstition, not on the reality of the power of love. When I died I was angry at the stupidity of personal religious sacrifices when I knew that love was the most important healing force in the universe.

Well, in this life time we get to be together to explore personal and spiritual love. I feel that Paul is very dedicated to exploring the experience of personal and spiritual love with me. And I am exploring more lessons about personal sacrifice: what it is and when it feels appropriate and inappropriate. We have both moved beyond religious dogma and adopting external authority where our spiritual life is concerned and we both are involved with the dharma of supporting others in being in relationship with their own spiritual power. We are consciously working on freeing ourselves from the karmic wheel that keeps us caught up in the suffering and entrapment of mind.

As stated by the Buddhist scholar Bassui Tokusho:

If you would free yourself of the sufferings of samsara [rebirth], you must learn the direct way to become a Buddha. This way is no other than the realization of your own Mind. Now what is this Mind? It is the true nature of all sentient beings, that which existed before our parents were born and hence before our own birth, which presently exists, unchangeable and eternal. So it is one's Face before one's parents were born...When we are born it is not newly created, and when we die it does not perish. It has no distinction of male or female, nor has it any coloration good or bad. It cannot be compared to anything, so it is called Buddha nature....

Should your yearning be too weak to lead you to this state in your present life time, you will undoubtedly gain Self-realization easily in the next, provided you are still engaged in this questioning at death, just as yesterday's work half done was finished easily today.

Past life therapy is a tool that will support the soul's spiritual work in moving towards one's Buddha hood, today. Past life therapy can give one the direct understanding and experience of cause and effect and can help one to more consciously choose thoughts and actions that will support the lessening of personal and planetary suffering. Through doing the work of past-life therapy one can realize more fully that we are all Buddhas in the process of Self-realization.

Bibliography

Buddism and Taoism and Indigenous Religions, Volume I, Hana Matt, no information.

Hinduism, W. Owen Cole and V.P. (Hemant) Kanitkar, Hodder and Stoughton, Ltd., London, UK, 1995.

Hunduism, Hana Matt, no information.

Reincarnation: The Phoenix Fire Mystery, Sylvia Cranston, Theosophical University Press, Pasadena, CA, 1977.

Reincarnation: A New Horizon in Science, Religion and Society, Sylvia Cranston and Carey Williams, Theosophical University Press, Pasadena, CA, 1993.

Reincarnation, Nevill Drury, Barnes and Noble Books, Singapore, 2002.

Soul Echoes: The Healing Power of Past-Life Therapy, Thelma Freedman, PhD, Citadel Press, New York, NY, 2002.

Spirit Releasement Therapy, William Baldwin, Headline Books, Inc, Terra Alta, WV, 1992.

This is the whole article of Hinduism Beliefs Reincarnation.

{ 0 comments }

What Are Hinduism Beliefs

What Are Hinduism Beliefs Traditions

The oldest religion on this planet is Hinduism. It has no beginning and this religion moved ahead with recorded history. It has no individual founder. It is a spiritual religion which leads the devotee to experience the existence of God from heart and soul. It is a very vast religion and Hinduism beliefs are as old as Hinduism religion. However on the whole it has these nine beliefs.

What Are Hinduism Beliefs History

1. Hindus first belief is in the theology of the "Vedas". It is the most antique scripture in the world. "Veda" is a word which has come from Sanskrit language. The basic meaning of Veda is knowledge. According to Hinduism beliefs these primeval hymns are God's speech and the foundation of Sanatana Dharma (a sub-religion in Hinduism), the everlasting belief which has neither starting nor endings.

2. The next is the faith on only one supreme power that is both inspiring and immanent. Hinduism believes that there is merely one premier supreme called "Brahman". However it does not say to worship a particular deity. There are millions of gods and goddesses in Hinduism belief and everyone is on the behalf of the numerous aspects of Brahman. Therefore, this faith is characterized by the multiplicity of deities. The most primary Hindu deities are the Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.

3. Hindu people believe that this world undergoes endless cycles of creation, perpetuation and termination.

4. People following Hindu religion believe in karma (right action). Whatever good or bad things you do in your life you will get back according to that. It is with the help of your karma through which you create your own destiny.

5. Hinduism belief says that divine beings continue living in an invisible world and the temple worship as well as individual devotionals creates a communication between you and God.

6. Hinduism believes in the reincarnation system. It evolves through many births until all karmas have been resolute and moksha is the process of getting free of the cycle of rebirth.

7. The followers of Hinduism believe that you need a spiritually awakened teacher in your life. They are able to tell you the way to get free from the cycle of rebirth.

8. Hinduism belief advises that every life in this world is holy and each life should be loved. That's the reason they believe in the practice of no injury to anyone. This is known as ahinsa.

9. The followers of Hinduism believe that no particular religion tells the only path to salvation over each and every one but all the authentic religious ways are related to God. Every religion tells us to give respect to others so everyone is equal.

What Are Hinduism Beliefs

So these are the basic Hinduism beliefs however it is varied and wide. The essential thoughts of this religion are based on the principles written by saints of ancient times of What Are Hinduism Beliefs.

{ 0 comments }

Hinduism Beliefs About Death

Rituals of Hinduism Beliefs About Death

Hindus, who perform a myriad of rituals in their lifetime, believe that humans are reborn according to their karma and hence, perform many death rituals to ensure that the soul rests in peace. According to Hindu beliefs, when a person dies, his soul lingers around near the relatives, the body, and his materialistic possessions. They also believe that some rituals need to be performed, for the soul to break the bond with the body, and start a new life elsewhere. Often, we wonder why Hindus burn or cremate the body, instead of burying it. The answer lies in the belief, that by burning the body, the soul does not feel the physical association with the body anymore, which it could have, had the body been buried.

The rituals that are performed after the death of a person, are, in a way, a message to the departed soul, indicating that the people miss the departed person, remember his qualities, and are trying to get on with life. Therefore, a lot of religious rituals like prayers, bhajans (religious songs), havans (purifying rituals involving a fire ceremony), etc., are carried out so that the closure of life for the soul is confirmed.

The Hindu death rituals which are followed all over are almost similar, and are drawn from the Vedas. All the family members, including the children, take part in the rituals which are performed with the help of a Hindu priest. An outline of some of these rituals is as follows:

As Death Approaches

For the Hindus, dying at home, among loved ones, is considered better than dying in a hospital. When death, due to any reason, is inevitable, Hindu people bring the dying person home, place him in his room with his head facing the east, and light a lamp near his head. Family members and all the loved ones chant hymns, until the soul of the person departs.

At Death

If the person is unconscious, several mantras (group of words which can create spiritual transformation) are chanted in his left ear. Sandal paste or holy ash is applied to the forehead and few drops of milk, or water of the river Ganges are dribbled into his mouth. The body after death, is kept with the head facing the south direction. The top of the head, and the area under the chin, are tied with a cloth. A Hindu priest is called for the death ceremony. Under a shelter that is built, a fire ritual is performed, which is also known as homa, to bless nine kumbhas (water pots). The chief mourner (the person who leads the fire rites) is the eldest son in case of father's death, and the youngest in case of mother's death.

Preparing the Body

The chief mourner is then made to perform some rituals, like arati (a ritual in which light from wicks soaked in purified butter or camphor, is offered to deities), and passes the oil lamp over the body, while offering flowers. The relatives then carry the body back to the porch and cover it with a white cloth. The body is bathed with the water from the nine kumbhas and placed in a coffin. Women walk around the body offering puffed rice into the mouth, which is to nourish the soul in the journey ahead. The homa, fire ritual, can now be performed at the crematorium.

Cremation

To perform the ritual of cremation, only men go to the crematorium. The clay kumbha and the pot containing the burning homa are carried to the site. The body is removed from the coffin and is carried around the pyre thrice in the counterclockwise direction. Now, men offer puffed rice, the way women did earlier. The chief mourner, with the clay pot on his shoulders, circles the pyre; while, a relative knocks holes in the pot at each round, to let the water pass. This signifies that the soul is leaving the body. After taking the three turns, the mourner lights the pyre without turning to face the body.

Bone-gathering Ceremony

The family returns to the cremation ground after 12 hours to collect the remains (ash and bones) of the body. First, water is sprinkled over the ash and then the ash is collected in a vessel. Later, the ash is offered in the holy river, Ganges.

Post Cremation: Ritual Impurity

After the cremation ceremony, everyone takes a bath and cleans the house. During these days of ritual impurity, family and close relatives do not visit each others' houses. They do not attend any marriages, they do not celebrate festivals, nor do they visit temples or priests for a year.

Various Memorial Rituals Hinduism Beliefs About Death

On the 3rd, 5th, 7th or 9th day, people gather for a meal, in which the deceased's favorite food is cooked. The food is first offered to the photo of the deceased person. On the 31st day, a ceremony is held, in which cleaning of the house is required. A Hindu priest is called who performs the sapindikarana (a rite to mark the transition of the deceased and merging with the ancestors). Once the ritual is finished, the ritual impurity ends. The shraddha rite (carried out so that the deceased soul rests in peace) is performed at the end of the year.

Hinduism Beliefs About Death

Hindu death rituals are many and confusing. The younger generation often do not carry out all traditional rituals, but if these steps are followed devotedly, the soul is surely to find peace and a new life after Hinduism Beliefs About Death.

{ 0 comments }

Hinduism Beliefs And Practices

Traditions of Hinduism Beliefs And Practices

Truth is one; sages call it by different names" ~ Hindu saying

The saying probably explains it all about the two million gods in India. One may worship god by different names, but ultimately it all meets The One. Hinduism is the third largest and oldest religion in world. Hinduism beliefs are an aggregation of cultural ideas, religious beliefs and philosophical thoughts. There are many Hinduism beliefs and practices that point towards reincarnations and liberation from the birth and death cycle. Hinduism is Dharma, or way of life, where all action is governed by laws. There are set ethics, traditions and beliefs that form the bases of Hinduism.

According to Hinduism facts, it is a very ancient religion that is believed to be practiced even before circa 10000 BC. The term Hindu was not found in any of the texts or scriptures related to Hinduism. It is believed the word was coined by foreigners who used it to describe people living across the river Indus in North India. There are certain basic beliefs of Hinduism. Let us have a look at some of the basic Hinduism beliefs and practices.

Basic Tenets of Hinduism Beliefs and Practices

As mentioned earlier, Hinduism beliefs are an aggregation of various different traditions and practices. However, the basic theme of Hinduism beliefs consists of attaining the following goals:

  • Dharma: This includes following the code of ethics and individual duties.
  • Samsara: One of the Hinduism beliefs about death is the cycle of action, reaction, birth, death and rebirth (Samsara).
  • Karma: The literal translation of Karma is action, deed or work. It is a moral law of cause and effect.
  • Moksha: The ultimate goal of life is attaining Moksha. This means self realization of union with God or detachment from worldly desires. It may also indicate freedom from Samsara or cycle of life and death.

Beliefs of Hinduism

The basic beliefs of the Hindu religion indicate that one's thoughts and attitudes of life direct our actions. These actions help one create their destiny. Hinduism is a polytheistic religion. There are many different gods and goddesses worshiped by believers. However, a few people recognize Hinduism as a monotheistic religion as it ultimately recognizes one supreme being or God. This belief is based on the pantheistic principle of Brahman. This means the entire universe is one divine entity. Hinduism is also viewed as a Trinitarian religion as Brahman is made up of three people making up one God. This means the Brahman is made up of three gods namely:

  • Brahma: He is the Creator, who continues to create life.
  • Vishnu: He is the Preserver, who preserves the life created by Brahma. He also comes to save the earth from the heavens when Dharma (righteousness, religion, law, duty and eternal order) is under thereat.
  • Shiva: The Destroyer who is destructive, yet compassionate at times.

Hinduism Beliefs about Denominations

One of the oldest aspects of Hinduism beliefs and practices is the caste system. According to the history of Hinduism, it forms the bases of a Hindu society. There are four basic social castes in Hinduism. An individual caste is governed by their own set of rules and obligations. It is believed that one's Karma (action or deed) in the present life, will determine one's birth in the next life. This makes up the four varnasthat determines one's occupation. The four varnas (color, form and appearance) that make up the caste system are as follows:

  • Brahmins: They were teachers and priests who made up the elite caste.
  • Kshatriyas: They were warriors, nobles and kings.
  • Vaisyas: These included people who were farmers, businessmen and merchants.
  • Shudras: They were servants and labors who did menial jobs.

The social outcasts were the Shudras or untouchables. This caste system was officially abolished in India in the 1940s. However, the caste system is still a part of the Indian society. It is said one does not get to choose their religion, but is born in it. However, there is evidence in the Upanisads, that one becomes a Brahman by attaining deep knowledge, and not just on the basis of his birth. Bhakti or devotion has always been associated with devotional texts and poems that praise God. Bhakti is what helps a believer in practicing his religion honestly.

According to the Hinduism beliefs, there is no one single authority. Hinduism is categorized into four major classifications according to many academics. These groups that make up Hinduism are as follows:

  • Vaishnavaism: It is seen 80% of all Hindus are Vaishnavites, that is followers of Lord Vishnu.
  • Shivaism: These are people who are followers of Lord Shiva, who worship him as the Supreme God.
  • Shaktas: These are followers of Shakti (power) who is a Devi or goddess.
  • Smartas: These are believers of the Panchadeva or the essential oneness of five and in case of Tamil Hindus it is six or Shanmata.

Hinduism Beliefs about Marriage

Marriage is a sacred institution according to Hinduisms beliefs and practices. It is called Viv? ha in Sanskrit. It is viewed as one of the sa?sk?ras (sacraments). Marriage is not considered as a contract according to beliefs of Hinduism. Marriage is considered to be a sacred union between a man and women. They are committed to each other so that they can pursue their Dharma, Artha (possessions) and Karma(cranial needs) with each other. It considered to be a way to enjoy earthy pleasures, prosperity and joy. There are 8 types of Hindu marriages of which the last four are condemned and not religiously defined. These 8 different types of Hindu marriages are as follows:

  • Brahma Marriage
  • Daiva Marriage
  • Arsha Marriage
  • Prajapatya Marriage
  • Gandharva Marriage
  • Asura Marriage
  • Rakshasa Marriage
  • Paishacha Marriage

Hindu women wear Sindoor (vermilion), Manglasutra (sacred thread of love and goodwill) and bangles. These are considered to be signs that a woman is married and her husband is alive. Women in South India wear a necklace with a distinct pendent and toe rings. If her husband dies, the widow needs to give up all these and wear white clothes. Marriage is considered to be a union not only in the present life, but for the next seven lives.

Hinduism Beliefs about Death

Reincarnation is the major part of Hinduism believes about death. This is called the Transmigration of the Soul. It means one's soul after death is transferred to another body. Thus, the cycle of birth, life, death and rebirth continues. This is the basis of the Hinduism tenet Samsara. The way one will live in the next life is determined by the Karma (action and deeds) of this life. Those who live a righteous life and carry out pure acts of kindness and devotion (Bhakti), will be reborn at a higher level or have a better life. The ultimate goal of life is to escape samsara and achieve Moksha(enlightenment). If one carries out many bad deeds in this life, he will be reborn as a low life or animal. The sufferings and the well begin of one's life are all associated with the karma of the past life. There is not just one purpose of life for man but he has to achieve four. These include the following:

  • Dharma: This is fulfilling one's destiny or purpose.
  • Artha: Artha means achieving success or prosperity in one's worldly pursuits.
  • Kama: Kama (desire) relates to love and sexual pleasures of life.
  • Moksha: The last and ultimate goal in life is moksha, that is, liberation from samsara or cycle of birth and death, enlightenment, self realization and union with the Supreme Being or God.

Hinduism Beliefs And Practices

This was some basic information related to beliefs of Hinduism. This is a very vast religion, steeping in rich culture and traditions. Family values are of utmost importance in Hinduism beliefs. One needs to respect their parents, elders and teachers. A Guru or teacher is believed to be next to God as he teaches one the way of life and imparts the ultimate treasure, knowledge. Hope the above information on Hinduism facts has helped you understand some of basic beliefs of this oldest and one of the richest religions of the world of Hinduism Beliefs And Practices.

{ 0 comments }