This
unique religion focuses on a much more spiritual aspect of being
than many of the world's other religions
The
Spirit of Hinduism
by Jake Rose
Of the
theologies in the world, some change with time and are often further
developed; many stay fairly constant and keep their original beliefs
with them. One like this is Hinduism. An ancient religion formed
centuries ago in India and Asia, Hinduism is a complex belief that
is based on the spirit and mind, and also on the idea of
reincarnation. With many rituals and festivals, Hinduism is a very
active religion that requires a firm faith. In it is the idea of
multiple gods, yet all of these are in turn forms of the one true
deity, God. This religion also consists of many sacred writings that
seem to incorporate mythological stories. Hinduism is a unique
religion that focuses on a much more spiritual aspect of being than
many of the world's other religions.
Hindu teaching
itself is based on a higher level of spirituality than simply being
and is based also on mystic experience. It deals with God and its
creation along with mankind and its salvation. Hindus believe in one
true power of the universe that they call Brahman. This god has no
form, no gender, and can not be prayed to; it simply exists. In each
living creature there is a bit of Brahman, which they call atman, or
a spirit. The religion also believes that human and animals spirits
reincarnate, or come back to earth until they reach Nirvana. The
Hind path of salvation is divided into three main parts: the way of
works (rituals), the way of knowledge (self-reflection), and the way
of devotion (harmony with the chosen god). Hinduism itself holds no
true basis on a higher being view, meaning that a Hindu can be
polytheistic, monotheistic, pantheistic, agnostic, or even
atheistic.
Hindu
scripture and literature are some of the oldest in existence of
mankind. They are divided into two forms: primary scriptures known
as Sruti, and secondary scriptures known as Smriti. The Sruti are
channeled through sages during meditation while the Smriti are used
to explain Sruti writings to the general populace. Examples of Sruti
include the four Vedas and the Bhagavad Gita, while examples of
Smriti include Dhama Shăstras Law Codes and Darshanas Manuel of
Philosophy, to name a few.
Hinduism is a
religion rich in rituals and festivals. Rituals are acts which are
proscribed by scriptures and a great help to fulfilling various
desires, to purifying the mind, and to bring Brahman into daily
activities. They have a diverse amount of festivals to celebrate
throughout the year. Some of these festivals include: Mahashivratri
dedicated to Lord Shiva; Navrati in celebration of the goddess
Mahamaayaa Bhagawati; Aahoi which is the fast to bring prosperity to
children; and Holi, the festival of colors that mark the end of the
year. These celebrations and rituals allow mankind to give homage to
the gods and life itself while achieving further enlightenment.
The basis of
higher being in Hinduism revolves around the idea of a trinity. It
is a trinity of the three main gods: Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.
Brahma is known as the creator and appears sitting on a lotus, the
symbol of glorious existence. Vishnu is known as the preserver. He
has four hands and is seen holding a lotus, a conch shell which
indicates the spreading of the sound "Om", a shakra representing
time, and a mace to show his power. Shiva is the destroyer of the
universe. He appears in a meditating state and his vehicle of
transportation is the bull, the symbol of happiness and strength.
Their wives, Saraswati the goddess of knowledge, Lakshmi the goddess
of love and beauty, and Kali the goddess of destruction and
transformation, respectively, make up the female trinity. Though
separate in their appearances, they are all of one, of the true God,
and each represent a different aspect of life.
There may not
be another religion that is so complex and spiritually based as
Hinduism. There may also not be a religion that allows for any
chosen view of higher being so long as the person follows the basis
of the religion. It is one of the most accepting, peaceful and
understanding of beliefs that mankind has. Hinduism is a deep
religion that has strong roots in morality, spirituality, and the
search for eternal peace. Hinduism is a religion that tolerates
humankind not for what it can be nor for what it wants to be, but
rather for what it is indefinitely.
Jake Rose
is an artist and an author on
http://www.Writing.Com/ which is a site for
Creative Writing.
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