Hinduism is one of the world’s oldest religions.

It has a rich tradition of beliefs, practices, and philosophies that have evolved over thousands of years.

Unlike many religions, Hinduism has no single founder and is a fusion of various cultural and spiritual traditions from the Indian subcontinent.

There are many life lessons and mind opening concepts we can expose ourselves to while learning about Hinduism.

Let’s discuss the basics.

Understanding the Basics of Hinduism

A Hindu views the entire universe as God’s, and everything in the universe as God.

Hindus believe that each person is intrinsically divine, and the purpose of life is to seek and realize the divinity within all of us. The Hindu belief is totally non-exclusive and accepts all other faiths and religious paths.

Different Hindu practices allow for various representations of God, but each representation (deva) is in itself a depiction of God. Hindus believe that the one supreme God cannot be fully understood, so the Earthly representations (Shiva, Vishnu, etc.) are merely symbolic of a supreme God that cannot be understood.

Each Hindu can decide on whichever representation of God they prefer at any given time, and different cultures over the millennia have produced millions of representations to choose from.

Core Beliefs

Dharma: This concept refers to the ethical and moral duties governing individual conduct. It’s the path of righteousness and living one’s life according to the codes of conduct as described by Hindu scriptures.

Karma: The law of cause and effect where a person’s actions (good or bad) influence their future. Good actions lead to positive outcomes, while bad actions bring about negative consequences.

Samsara: The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. Hindus believe that the soul is eternal and “transmigrates” from one body to another through various lives.

Moksha: This is the ultimate goal in Hinduism, which is the liberation from the cycle of Samsara. Achieving Moksha means the soul has reached a state of perfect knowledge and bliss, becoming one with the divine.

Major Deities

Hinduism is often described as henotheistic, meaning it involves the worship of a single deity, while not denying the existence of other deities. The primary gods include:

Brahma: The creator.

Vishnu: The preserver, who incarnates in various forms (avatars) to restore cosmic order.

Shiva: The destroyer, who destroys the universe in order to recreate it.

Sacred Texts

Vedas: The oldest and most authoritative scriptures, consisting of hymns, rituals, and spiritual knowledge.

Upanishads: Philosophical texts that explore the concepts found in the Vedas, focusing on meditation and spiritual knowledge.

Bhagavad Gita: A 700-verse epic poem that is part of the Mahabharata, offering a conversation between Prince Arjuna and the god Krishna on duty, righteousness, and devotion.

Ramayana and Mahabharata: Epic narratives that detail the stories of ancient heroes and the divine.

Practices

Yoga and Meditation: Physical and spiritual practices aimed at achieving inner peace and spiritual growth.

Puja: Ritual worship of deities at home or in temples.

Festivals: Celebrations such as Diwali (Festival of Lights), Holi (Festival of Colors), and Navaratri (Nine Nights) that hold significant religious and cultural importance.

Final Thoughts

We’ve been conditioned in Western countries through modern mainstream culture to dismiss many worldly spiritual traditions of the past.

Even if we adhere to one of the three main Abrahamic religions, we’ve often been taught to believe that only our version of God is the correct one.

It’s become obvious that this has all unfolded at our own peril, and that we have much to learn from opening our hearts and minds to different ideas and concepts.

Hinduism’s diversity allows for a wide array of practices and beliefs, making it a deeply personal and spiritual journey for its followers.

Hinduism continues to thrive, influencing millions around the world with its profound wisdom and traditions.

Thank you so much for reading this, I wish you the best.

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