Hinduism

Hinduism Paper

Kristina Claibourn

Axia College of the University of Phoenix

Hinduism is the third largest practicing religion in the world, following Christianity and Islam. There are approximately one billion adherents, 905 million of these practicing Hindus live in India and Nepal. The earliest orgins of Hinduism can be traced to the Vedic civilization, although the religion was not founded by a single person. Hinduism is based on many scriptures which talk about theology, philosophy, and mythology.

Hinduism beliefs include Dharma, which means ethics/duties; Samsara, the cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth; Karma, an action that has a subsequent reaction; Moksha, the liberation of the cycle of Samsara; and Yogas, paths and practices (Wikipedia, 2007). Hinduism is sometimes referred to as a henotheistic religion, which is the devotion to a single "God" while believing there are other gods.

In order to answer the question: "Considering that Hinduism lacks a uniting belief system, what makes up the Hindu religion?" first a simplistic explanation of the way Hinduism is practiced needs to be understood. Hindus believe that the soul, known as the atman, is eternal. The Atman is the same as the Brahman (the supreme spirit) in all aspects except that the Brahman is ultimately the reason that reincarnation exists. In other words, the soul must be reincarnated until it has learned all the necessary things, such as

the realization of one's union with God; as realization of one's eternal relationship with God; realization of the unity of all existence; perfect unselfishness and knowledge of the Self; attainment of perfect mental peace; and/or as detachment from worldly desires

to be considered the Brahman. Then when the Brahman dies, it will not be reborn, but live have eternal happiness and peace. Hindus do believe in a "God," although He is called Devas, and Hindus can choose their ista devata, their "chosen ideal." There are several stories that God descended to Earth in corporeal form to restore dharma to guide humans to moksha. This explains the reasoning of the beliefs of dharma and moksha (Wikipedia, 2007). Karma is described as the "moral law of cause and effect" and is followed closely