Topic 4 : HINDUISM

The origins of Hinduism have been traced to the Indus River Valley in the Indian sub-continent
and the peoples who lived there. Hinduism is one of the oldest religions and there is evidence of
the existence of Hinduism dating back 4,000 years. By 1500 BCE, Hinduism had already
reached a high state of philosophical and religious development which has been sustaining it to
the present. With about 900 million followers, Hinduism is the third-largest religion behind
Christianity and Islam.

What has come to be called the Hindu faith, tradition, or religion is the result of a rich blend of
human civilization, including many different practices and expressions of religious life. Many
religious cultures, who spoke many languages and held many different concepts about the nature
of the Divine, have contributed to its development and evolution.

Within Hinduism, there are a vast array of practices and beliefs. As such, defining Hinduism is
challenging. The three other Indian religions—Jainism, Buddhism, and Sikhism—have their
roots in Hinduism and have close associations both historically and conceptually.

Unlike many other religions, Hinduism cannot be traced to a single founder, single scripture, or
commonly agreed upon set of teachings. Throughout its long history, there have been
contributions by many important figures who had different teachings and different philosophies,
and who wrote many holy books. Therefore, some writers think of Hinduism as being a way of
life or a family of religions rather than a single religion.

The term Hindu was historically used to identify people with a geographical and cultural
connection to South Asia or who were indigenous to that region. It was only later that it became
a religious identifier. By the 16th century, the term began being used to refer to the peoples who
resided in the subcontinent who were not Turkic or Muslim. It is thought that, at that time, the
term may have simply indicated groups that shared certain cultural practices such as the
cremation of the dead and their styles of cuisine.

A more precise and widely used term for describing this belief system is Sanatan Dharma or
Hindu Dharma. Sanatan means eternal, ever-present, universal, and unceasing; Dharma is
harmony, compassion, truth, or natural law. Sanatan Dharma means eternal path, never
beginning or ending. Sanatan Dharma places spiritual experiences above religious issues and
cultural practices. The term Hindu is thought to have derived from the name of the river or river
complex in northwest India, the Sindhu. Sindhu is a Sanskrit word used by the inhabitants of the
region. Other groups who arrived in the land used the name in their own languages for the land
and its peoples.

Although defining Hinduism is a challenge, it is correct to state that Hinduism has its roots in
India. Most Hindus have a principal body of sacred scriptures known as the Vedas and share a
common system of values known as dharma. Because of the antiquity of Hinduism, as well as its
inclusiveness and acceptance of diverse expressions and beliefs, an extensive array of
philosophical doctrines and dogmas has evolved. This has resulted in the appearance of
 Topic 4 : HINDUISM

additional scriptural texts, such as the Upanishads, Puranas, Ramayana, and Bhagavad Gita,
among others.

Hinduism exhibits deep respect for human life and promotes the virtues of compassion,
patience, and forbearance. The Bhagavad Gita urges self-control and the overcoming of anger
that leads to violence. The Upanishads and Vedas promote ahimsa (non harm). Jainism,
originally a reform movement within Hinduism, requires the taking of a vow against the use of
violence. Some interpreters of Hinduism emphasize the nonviolent character of its worldview. It
was Gandhi who invoked ahimsa as the principal means of overcoming injustice in all spheres of
life. He refused to support the British in World War II on the grounds that colonialism was
inherently unjust and violent.

The notion of good in Hinduism is complex and multifaceted, with a rich philosophical and
spiritual tradition that has evolved over thousands of years. At the heart of this tradition is the
idea of dharma, a concept that is often translated as "duty," "righteousness," or "virtue," and
which provides the framework for understanding what is considered good and ethical behavior
in Hinduism. In human life, dharma is seen as the guiding principle for moral and ethical
behavior, and it encompasses a wide range of obligations and responsibilities, including those
that arise from social status, gender, age, and occupation.

In Hinduism, there is no single, universal definition of what constitutes good behavior or actions.
Rather, what is considered good or ethical depends on a number of factors, including the
individual's stage of life, social status, and personal temperament. For example, a student is
expected to focus on learning and study, while a householder is expected to fulfill their family
and social responsibilities. A person in old age is expected to focus on spiritual pursuits and the
search for enlightenment.

One of the most important aspects of dharma is the idea of karma, which refers to the law of
cause and effect. In Hinduism, every action, thought, and word is believed to have a
consequence, either in this life or in future lives. This means that individuals are responsible for
their own destiny, and that their actions will ultimately determine their fate. The notion of good
in Hinduism is also closely linked to the concept of moksha, which is the ultimate goal of
spiritual life. Moksha refers to liberation from the cycle of birth and death, and it is achieved
through the attainment of spiritual knowledge and the realization of the true nature of the self. In
Hinduism, the pursuit of moksha is seen as the highest and noblest goal of human life, and it
requires a deep understanding of the nature of reality and the self.

Ultimately, the notion of good in Hinduism is shaped by a wide range of philosophical, spiritual,
and cultural factors. At its core is the idea of dharma, which provides the framework for
understanding what is considered good and ethical behavior. This framework is not fixed, but
rather is flexible and adaptable to the needs and circumstances of individuals and society.
Through the pursuit of dharma, karma, and moksha, individuals can strive to live a good and
ethical life in accordance with the cosmic order and the principles of Hinduism.
 Topic 4 : HINDUISM

The three basic teachings of Hinduism are Dharma, Karma and Moksha. Hinduism is prevalent
in India and is based on the Vedas, which are four sacred texts.

Dharma is the religious duty of people to follow the principles of the cosmic order, including the
rules that guide the morality of all human beings. Adherence to dharma means following laws
and virtues for a good way of living.

Karma, on the other hand, is the set of individual rules for a specific person’s life based on their
status and deeds in both their current and past lives. Any future existence depends upon a
person’s good and evil actions.

Moksha is the state of escaping the sufferings of the physical world in death. It is the end goal in
a person’s life and marks the end of the cycle of rebirth.

Artha meaning "affluence," involves Hindus striving for money. Hinduism holds that only a
select few people may be content with material wealth. Hindus must therefore gather wealth as
part of their quest for Moksha. But they shouldn't fall head over heels for their money.
According to Hinduism's values, artha, which can be loosely translated as wealth and influence,
is acceptable as a goal. Due to the fact that a person requires them to raise a family and maintain
a home.

The main teachings of the Hinduism are as follows:

1. Believe in Truth, and realize that truth alone would win in the world.
2. Realize that all the material things around you would perish in some day or other, and
concentrate your attention on god.
3. Vedas are the divine texts given by the god to attain goodness in your life.
4. Follow the path of righteousness.
5. By doing good deeds in your life, you would be suitably rewarded by the god. 6. Your
main aim must be to attain SALVATION.
6. The world is covered with full of illusions, come out from the worldly pleasures, control
your senses, and do meditation on the god.
7. Live and let live must be followed in your life.
8. Be honest, sincere, and straightforward in your life.
9. Feel the presence of god everywhere in this world.
10. Realize that God has given you a very important task of preaching the goodness of
Hinduism and explaining the holy scriptures to others, and do it properly.
11. Follow the spiritual path, and do only good karma and don’t cheat others. Let us follow
the above holy principles of Hinduism and let us lead a peaceful and a sin free life.