Hinduism

Discover Hinduism's ancient roots, core beliefs like karma and dharma, and diverse practices.

Hinduism is the world’s oldest surviving religion, with most historians believing it has existed since prehistoric time. Hinduism is now a collection of practices belonging to several different religious groups that developed in ancient India. It is also an entire culture based on many customs and ideas about faith. Beliefs People who practice Hinduism are Hindus. They believe in the idea of Brahman, a divine force present in all things. Hindus often worship one or several gods. Hinduism’s many individual gods are said to represent this eternal, or ongoing, force. The main goal for most Hindus is for their soul, the atman, to be one with Brahman. If they do this they will achieve moksha, the highest level of existence. Moksha is a state of inner peace and spiritual awareness. Hindus also believe it is freedom from samsara, a cycle of birth, death, and reincarnation. Reincarnation involved a person’s atman being reborn into a new body. Karma Hindus believe a person’s karma, or life force, determines what kind of rebirth he or she experiences. If a person is selfless and performs good works, he or she is said to have good karma. Hindus believe these individuals are rewarded by being reborn into a life that brings them closer to moksha. In contrast, a person who is evil or lack morality are believed to have bad karma. They may be reincarnated as animals, making it harder for them to break the cycle of rebirth. Being reincarnated as an animal is much less desirable than being reincarnated as a human. Dharma Another important feature of Hinduism is dharma. This power gives order to the cosmos, or universe, and is driven by everyone following particular rules and customs. Through this, Hindus fulfill their individual responsibilities. Combining Cultures The exact history of Hinduism is complicated because it does not track back to a single founder. Historians believe Hinduism formed in the Indus River Valley across present-day Pakistan and India. Around 1500 BCE, members of the Aryan culture traveled from Asia to the Indus Valley and introduced the Vedic religion. Between 1500 BCE and 1000 BCE, they wrote the Vedasin an ancient language called sanskrit. They were later embraced by Hindus, so they are considered the earliest scriptures, or holy texts. They contained myths, prayers, and religious songs and poems related to samsara, karma, and dharma. People living in the Indus Valley created the Upanishads around 700 BCE. They are sometimes called the final chapters of the Vedas. They dealt with topics like Brahman, atman, and moksha. A lot of the Vedic religion remains a mystery, but it is likely that Hinduism grew as Vedic beliefs blended with those of earlier Indus Valley cultures. Bhakti The idea of the bhakti started influencing the growth of Hinduism in the Indus Valley between 500 BCE and 500 BCE. Bhaktiis the belief that devotion, or displays of religious loyalty, will help people achieve their faith goals. Hindus were inspired to build elaborate temples, or houses of worship, all across the Indian subcontinent. A series of emperors ruled over this entire area up until the sixth century. Around 550, most of India was divided into many smaller kingdoms. Separate forms of Hinduism began taking shape as a result. They had some of the same basic beliefs, but individual kingdoms often focused on different gods, like Vishnu and Shiva. Influences Merchants and traders help spread Hinduism throughout Southeast Asia as time passed. Outside cultures impacted the religion’s development in India. Muslin (members of the Islamic faith) and European forces controlled much of the Indian subcontinent from the 15th century. As a result, Hinduism reached parts of Asia, Africa, and Europe. Hindus struggled to continue practicing their faith in some cases though, experiencing persecution, or poor treatment, and pressure to convert to Islam or Christianity. Tension Hinduism became a stronger feature of Indian nationalism, or national pride, in the 19th century, but tensions between Muslim and Hindu populations were common. Great Britain divided India into two separate nations, india and Pakistan, in 1947. Many Muslims and Hindus relocated. Both India and Pakistan gained independence from Great Britain in the late 1940s. The decades that followed were filled with unrest. The development of new governments and disagreements over Indian-Pakistani borders led to religious persecution. Some Hindus moved to Europe and North America, where they built temples in their new homes and educated people about their faith. Today About 1 billion men, women, and children practice Hinduism today, around 15 percent of the world’s population. It is the world’s third largest religion. More than 99 percent of Hindus live in Asian nations on or near the Indian Ocean. About 94 percent live in India, around 2 percent in Nepal, and around 1 percent in Bangladesh. The rest of the Hindu population is scattered across the globe in North America, the Middle East, North Africa, sub-Saharan Africa, and Europe. Sects Hindus have the shared beliefs of Brahman, atman, karma, dharma, samsara, and moksha. However, many believe in different pathways to spiritual truth. There are many Hindu sects, with the four major ones: Vaishnavism, Shaivism, Shaktism, and Smartism. Vaishnavism Hindus believe Vishnu is the supreme god in Vaishnavism. They think every so often Vishnu takes physical forms called avatars. Two of his most famous avatars are Krishna and Rama. Vishnuis shown as having four arms and blue skin in art. Vaishnavites, members of Vaishnavism, describe Vishnu as wise, majestic, independent, and extremely strong. They also see Vishnu as a personal being. They believe through devotion, it is possible to develop a loving relationship with him. Shaivism Shiva is worshiped as the main, or only, god by members of Shaivism. They believe he is a passionate and powerful being who occasionally destroyed the universe. Shaivites think this paves the way for the creation of a more perfect world. Shiva is often portrayed with a blue face and throat and a cobra necklace. This god is thought to have a third eye that is a symbol of wisdom. Shaktism Hindus worship the Hindu goddess Shakti in Shaktism. It is thought that Shakti takes many forms and names, including Devi, Uma, Parvati, Ambika, Kali, Durga, and Lakshmi. Shakti is sometimes shown holding flowers and appears to be sensitive and compassionate. Shakti is shown fiercer in other art. Some images feature the Hindu goddess riding a tiger, devouring demons, or wearing a necklace of skulls. For many Shaktas, followers or Shaktism, Shakti represents great power and strength. Shaktas often perform a variety of rituals in hopes of summoning mystical forces. Smartism Hindus who practice Smartism are called Smartas. They worship five main gods and goddesses. Vishnu, Shiva, Shakti, Ganesh, and Surya. Hindus believe Ganesh is an elephant-headed god who removes obstacles from his followers’ paths. He often appears in a chariot drawn by seven horses. Surya is viewed as a divine healers who brings people good fortune. Worship Hindus have many unique ways of expressing their faith. Hindu clergy is made up of priests, monks, and spiritual teachers called gurus. Specific religious practices vary depending on the sect. Worship (puja) takes place in temples (mandirs) and homes, typically in front of a religious icon. Hindus often make offerings of incense, water, flowers, and fruit to the gods. Mantras-sounds, words, or phrases, are said once or several times during prayer and meditation. Meditation is a mental exercise involving quiet thought and reflection. Hindus meditate and perform rituals, like yoga, to achieve inner peace and spiritual awareness. Hindus sometimes go on pilgrimages, or religious journeys, to holy sites. They often travel to rivers to participate in ritual bathing. Pilgrims believe that entering the water washes away their sins and helps them regain purity. The Ganges River in northern India is especially sacred to Hindus. Diet Hindus believe all things have souls, so many are vegetarians. Most Hindus who do eat meat do not eat cows. They are considered sacred animals because they produce milk for people. Cows are allowed to wander freely in India. Some Hindus refuse to use leather products. Celebrations There are many several holidays and festivals in Hinduism that serve as opportunities for people to celebrate their beliefs. Holi is celebrated in late February and March. This two-day festival celebrates spring, color, merrymaking, and various events from Hindu mythology. People enjoy squirting each other with colored water or powder during Holi. Krishna Janmashtami occurs in August and September. This two-day festival celebrated the birth of the god Krishna (Vishnu). Ganesh Chaturthi also takes place in August and September. It is an 11-day festival that celebrates the birth of the god, Ganesh. Navaratri is celebrated in early October. This nine-day festival celebrates devotion to the goddess Durga (Shakti) and the triumph of good over evil. Diwali, or the Festival of Lights, is a five-day festival in October and November celebrating the victory of light over darkness. The dates vary often, depending on the geographic location. Matching Match each term with its description. Samsara Hindus believe in this cycle of birth, death, and reincarnation Atman A Hindu's soul Brahman A divine force Hindu's believe is present in all things Moksha A state of inner peace and spiritual awareness Karma A person's life force Dharma This power gives order to the cosmos, or universe India The majority of Hindus live in the present-day nation Vishnu God shown as having four arms and blue skin True or False? All Hindu sects practice the same customs and traditions. True False True or False? Shaivites believe Shiva occasionally destroys the universe. True False True or False? Smartas worship five main gods and goddesses. True False True or False? Hindus only pray in their temples, or mandirs. True False True or False? Ganesh is an elephant-headed god who removes obstacles. True False True or False? Hindus sometimes take pilgrimages, or religious journeys. True False True or False? Beef is the main meat eaten by Hindus. True False True or False? Diwali is also known as the Festival of Lights. Trure False True or False? Hindus often make offerings to the gods. True False True or False? Hinduism is the most popular religion in the world. True False What is the main goal for a Hindu? To be reincarnated as an animal For their soul, the atman, to be one with Brahman To take a pilgrimage to the Ganges River To have good karma What is the main way a person can achieve good karma? Create a shrine in their home and provide offerings for the gods Take a pilgrimage to bathe in the Ganges River Be selfless and perform good works Build a mandir, or temple, in his or her community Which of the following is true of Shiva? He is thought to have a third eye to represent wisdom He is often portrayed with an elephant head He is usually drawn with three eyes and four arms His is typically shown riding a tiger What is the main reason Hindus meditate? To achieve good karma To pray to Shiva To achieve inner peace and spiritual awareness To be reincarnated in a favorable way Why do many Hindus mainly take pilgrimages to the Ganges River in India? To pray at the special temples located there To wash away their sins with what is believed to be holy water To help those who are less fortunate To attempt to convert Muslims and Christians to Hinduism Holi is a two-day festival that celebrates which season? Spring Summer Fall Winter Why do Shaivites mainly believe Shiva destroys the universe occasionally? To rid the world of evil To pave the way for the creation of a more perfect world To achieve acceptance from Brahman To create more space for Hinduism to spread Which of the following is true about the Vedas? They were written in the Hebrew language They were founded in a cave in ancient Egypt They contain myths, prayers, and religious songs and poems The Upanishads were written before the Vedas