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5.1 ORIGIN
5.2 THEISTIC BELIEF
5.2.1 Belief in Brahman
5.2.2 The Trimutri
5.3 IMPORTANT CONCEPTS IN BUDDHISM
5.3.1 Dharma
5.3.2 Karma
5.3.3 Avatar
5.3.4 Reincarnation
5.3.5 Moksha
5.3.6 Puja and Hindu Worship
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5.4 SACRED SCRIPTURES
5.4.1 Shruti
5.4.2 The Four Vedas
5.4.3 Smriti
5.5 HINDU CREATION STORY
5.6 HINDU CUSTOM
5.6.1 Holy Days
5.6.2 Holy Places
5.7 CASTE SYSTEM
5.8 RELIGIONS RELATED TO HINDUISM
HINDUISM
5. Hinduism
5.1 ORIGIN
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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.
It is not known who founded Hinduism nor is there a consensus on when it
was established. Unlike other religions, Hinduism has no one founder but is
instead a fusion of various beliefs. Hinduism is now simply described as the
product of spiritual, religious, and social practices of the people from a large
portion of South Asia, with 1.2 billion followers living in countries of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal.
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 term Hindu and Hinduism were not coined by Hindus themselves. The Greeks associated the name Hindu
with those people living beyond the Sindhu (or Indus) River. During that time, Hindus were identified merely
in the geographical sense. It was in the 19th century when the terms Hindu and Hinduism began to be used in
their religious sense. It also currently refers to a set of cultural practices observed by communities who follow
this religion. One practice is the caste system in India, where people are subject to social stratification based on
their ethnicity and social class.
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5.2 THEISTIC BELIEF
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5.2.1 BELIEF IN BRAHMAN
Brahman is regarded as the Supreme Being in Hinduism. Brahman is regarded by
Hindu as a unifying existence and the ultimate divine reality.
According to Hinduism, Brahman is manifested in everything in the universe and in
the consciousness of all. Since Brahman is exists in everything and everyone, there is
oneness and interconnectedness in all entities in the universe. This omnipresence of
Brahman also gives rise to the Hindu practice of ahimsa or non-violence and respect
for all life forms, including plants and non-human animals. The soul, referred to as the
atman, is also seen as a representation of Brahman. The atman is seen as an eternal
and universal entity.
5.2.2 THE TRIMURTI
Aside from their belief in Brahman as the Supreme Being, Hindu also worship
other gods who are considered representations of Brahman. They seek the
help of their gods and goddesses in times of need. There are numerous deities
in Hinduism, also known as devas (gods) and devis (goddesses). These terms
both mean “divine” and “radiant.” Of these gods, three are regarded as the
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most important; they are known as the Trimurti. They possess powers that
complement one another, and are important in order for the universe to
function properly. These gods are also accompanied by goddesses acting as
their consorts.
Brahma is the Hindu god of creation. He is believed to have created the
universe and everything that it contains. His consort is Sarasvati, the goddess
of knowledge.
Shiva is the Hindu god of destruction. This destruction power is seen not just as a transition to death, but
ultimately to rebirth or a new form of life. It is also deemed necessary as a way of destroying evil forces and
restoring order in the universe. Parvati is the consort of Shiva, and is regarded as a benevolent goddess.
Vishnu is the Hindu god credited with the power to sustain or preserve the universe. His consort is Lakshmi,
who is considered the Hindu goddess of wealth and prosperity.
5.3 IMPORTANT CONCEPTS IN HINDUISM
5.3.1 DHARMA
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Hinduism is sometimes referred to as sanatana dharma, which translates to
“eternal law.” This law applies to all Hindus regardless of their classification in the
caste system, and transcends time and local practices of the religion. Dharma
refers to the religious and moral laws governing all people’s action and lives.
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The dharma instructs Hindus to follow a path of righteousness, proper conduct, morality, and justice. This is
then related to the Hindu belief in Brahman, as the dharma also guides Hindus in ensuring that all living beings
are treated with kindness and respect.
5.3.2 KARMA
In Hinduism, Karma is the law of cause and effect. According to karma, every action has a corresponding
consequence. This consequence will be experienced either in this current life or future lives.
5.3.3 AVATAR
The avatar is an incarnation of a Hindu deity on earth in various
forms, including animals and human beings. Avatars have
appeared throughout time in order to ensure that humans do
not ultimately succumb to evil forces. These avatars also exist in
order to restore cosmic order.
5.3.4 REINCARNATION
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Reincarnation is the Hindu phenomenon of the atman’s
immortality. Through reincarnation, the atman will repeatedly
undergo birth and rebirth until it finally attains liberation.
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5.3.5 MOKSHA
Moksha can be regarded as the end of the cycle of birth and rebirth also known as samsara. It is the stage in
life where one has already attained the ultimate liberation of the soul.
5.3.6 PUJA AND HINDU WORSHIP
Puja is the central act of Hindu worship. It is a ritual where the devotee connects and communicates with the
Hindu deity. The ritual involves meditation and the offering of food and flowers to Brahman and the other
Hindu deities and may be performed either at home or in a temple. Hindus believe that performing the puja
enables them to gain strength from the deities.
In general, Hindus also believe that rituals and meditation help tame an individual’s unnecessary desires in life,
and aid in developing spiritual discipline. Without this, according to Hindus, one may easily give in to allure of
worldliness.
5.4 SACRED SCRIPTURES
The ancient scriptures of Hinduism are classified into two: Shruti (that
which is heard or revealed) and Smriti (that which is remembered). These
ancient texts are written in Sanskrit (ancient Indo-European language of
India).
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5.4.1 SHRUTI
The Vedas are classified as the shruti texts in Hinduism and are regarded as
the foundation of the religion. It is also often considered the earliest source
of India’s religious history. The Vedas, from the Sanskrit word meaning
“Knowledge,” contain spiritual teachings encompassing all aspects of life.
These spiritual teachings are regarded as eternal and universal truths. They
were composed approximately between 1500 and 600 BCE by the ancient
Indo-European seers or prophets. This period is also known as the Vedic
period.
The term “Vedas” is the origin of the word “Vedic,” which is used to refer to one earliest forms of Indian religion.
Also known as Vedism, this religion was practiced by the Indo-Europeans from Iran who came to India at about
1500 BCE. Followers of the Vedic religion believed in many gods as well as some goddesses. They also sacrificed
animals as a way of worshipping these deities.
It is believed that rishis (seers) and sages received the Vedas from divine revelation. They are the further said to
have received the Vedas through intuition, meditation, and introspection. These seers and sages then acted
as the divine instruments in preserving and transmitting the revealed divine knowledge. It took many centuries
of oral transmission before the Vedas were written down in Sanskrit. Throughout that time, sages refined and
expanded the teachings of the vedas.
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5.4.2 THE FOUR VEDAS
The Vedas are composed of four books or collections. Each of these
collections contains hymns, prayers, ritual text, meditation, reflections,
and philosophical speculations.
The Rig Veda or “knowledge of the verses” is the oldest of the four vedas
and is also considered the most important. The Rig Veda consists of
1,028 hymns containing praises to gods, as well as songs and prayers
associating divine deities with natural forces. The hymns were composed around 1500 to 1200 BCE. They were
used in rituals, and were finally written down after they were transmitted orally for generations. Priestly families
were the keepers of the Vedas during that time.
The Yajur Veda or the “knowledge of the Sacrifice” contains instructions on how to conduct Hindu rituals. These
rituals often involve performing sacrifices, and Hindu priests use the Yajur Veda in leading these ceremonies.
The Sama Veda or the “Knowledge of Song” contains verses which are mostly from the Rig Veda. The Sama Veda
teaches the manner in which chants must be performed in sacrificial rites. This is important for Hindus, as they
believe that reciting prayers and chanting a sacred text aloud is the best way for its words to be instilled in their
minds.
The Atharva Veda or “Knowledge of the Fire Priest” is a later addition to the Vedas. It is considered different
from the other three Vedas as its material does not necessarily pertain to the praise of gods or sacrificial rituals.
Instead, the Atharva Veda contains spells and incarnations for healing different illnesses and casting away evil
spirits.
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5.4.3 SMRITI
The smriti texts, or “that which is remembered,” constitute the other major category of texts in Hinduism, and
are believed to enrich the teachings provided by the shruti texts. The Upanishads are sometimes classified as
smriti texts. However, some of the Hindu texts that are more widely considered as smriti are the Puranas and
the Indian epics Ramayana and Mahabharata, which are dated as early as the Vedic period. The latter contains
the Bhagavad Gita, which is believed to tackle some of the important values that Hindus practice.
5.5 HINDU CREATION STORY
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Aside from rituals, chants, stories, and philosophical musings, the sacred
text of Hinduism also provide various accounts of the origin of the universe.
According to Hindus, these creation myths all share truths that validate
their faith and beliefs. Hindus believe that the different metaphors in these
myths convey elements of philosophical and spiritual truth. For Hindus,
these stories help them understand the purpose of creating different forms
of life in the universe, and how each of these life forms are interconnected.
One of the Hindu creation stories is found in the Rig Veda. This story tells of how the offering of the body parts of a
mythical giant named Purusha led to the creation of the universe. It is also believed that this offering brought about
the establishment of the caste system in Hindu society. In other story another story from the Vedic texts, Prajapati
(or the “lord of creatures”) was said to have sacrificed himself so that the creation of the world will be accomplished.
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The Chandogya Upanishad in the Sama Veda provides another account of the creation of the universe. In the
story, the universe is believed to have come from a golden embryo or egg. It later cracked open, revealing a silver
and a golden part. The sun also came from the egg, together with other animate beings. The sun is considered
a representation of the Brahman in the story.
In these creation stories, the origin of the universe is often rooted in the process of sacrifice. By offering sacrifices,
karma is generated, and this paves the way for rebirth after death.
This explains why sacrifice is considered a fundamental aspect of Hindu tradition up to the present. This is
especially evident in the Hindu practice of making offerings. Hindus make offerings to the deities for the favors
and blessings they granted. They also pay homage and make offerings to their ancestors to whom they owe
their lives, and to their departed loved ones who had shared their lives here on earth.
5.6 HINDU CUSTOM
5.6.1 HOLY DAYS
Hindu festivals are often a way of worshipping and giving tribute to their
numerous deities. One of the most well-known among these festivals is the
Diwali, which is celebrated for five days in October or November. It is clebrated
by lighting earthenware lamps in temples and houses as a way of welcoming
Lakshmi.
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Another Widely celebrated festival among the Hindus is the Janmashtami, which takes place in August or
September, as the commemoration of the birth of Krishna who is regarded as the avatar of Vishnu. It begins by
a day-long fasting until midnight, generally believed to be the hour of Krishna’s birth.
The Navratri, meanwhile, is a festival celebrated for nine days in September or October. One of the most important
ceremonies of this festival is the Kanya Puja, where nine girls are represented as nine forms of Durga, the
“mother goddess.”
5.6.2 HOLY PLACES
Like in other religions, certain places and structure holds significance
to the Hindu faith. The mandir or Hindu temple is the most commonly
known among these sacred places in Hinduism. In the Hindu temples,
worshippers perform religious ceremonies and practices such as the puja
and the study of the Vedas. These temples are said to help man connect
to the Hindu divinities.
Aside from the mandir, the other place that Hindus hold with high regard
is the Ganges River in northern India. They believe that bathing in the
Ganges purifies an individual spiritually. The Ganges is also said to be
personified as a goddess named Ganga Devi.
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5.7 CASTE SYSTEM
One of the major issues that Hindus deal with is rooted in the caste
system. In the caste system, Hindu society is divided into four groups
referred to as varnas. This classification traces itself back to the period
when the Vedas were being composed, and the Aryans comprised
the majority of the population of the ancient northern India.
The Brahmins constitute the highest class in the caste system. Its
members include priests and the scholars and teachers of Hinduism.
Kshatriyas are traditionally ranked after the Brahmins, and are
made up of the society’s warriors and rulers. Vaishyas is traditionally
composed of traders and merchants, and the economy of the ancient
Hindu depended on them. And the Shudras constitute the lowest
class in the system. The Shudras class is composed of the laborers,
commoners, peasants, and servants.
There are also people in Hindu society who are not members of any of the four classes. They are known as the
Untouchables, also referred to as the Dalit. It is believed that a Hindu becomes untouchable due to his or her
failure to pursue his or her dharma in his or her past life, thus resulting in bad karma.
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5.8 RELIGIONS RELATED TO HINDUISM
Jainism and Sikhism are two other religions that developed during the ancient times
in India. These two religions are practiced by a significant number of people around
the world, and they bear a number of similarities with Hinduism in their doctrines.
Jainism originated in eastern India in the 7th to 5th century BCE. Its name is derived
from the Sanskrit verb ji, which means “to conquer.” Jains, the followers of Jainism, are
expected to “conquer” or overcome worldly desires in order to achieve enlightenment
and omniscience. Like Hinduism, Jainism places importance on reincarnation and the
attainment of good karma.
Sikhism, meanwhile, emerged in the Punjab region in India. The name of the religion
is derived from the Punjabi word sikh, meaning “disciple” or “learner.” Unlike Hindus,
Sikhs believe in only one god, Waheguru, and do not worship icons; they also reject
the caste system. Similar to Hindus, however, they also believe that a degree of divinity
exists in everyone; they also value oneness and selflessness in their doctrine.
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